Nepal got off to a worst possible start in the AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers crashing to a humiliating 10-0 defeat in their opening match against hosts Iran on Friday.

Riding high on their recent title triumph of the Saff U-19 Championship, Nepal went into the tournament in confidence but Iran virtually took the match away by the end of the first half racing to a 5-0 lead at the Samen Al-Aeme Stadium in Masshad, Tehran.

The defeat was a huge blow to Nepal’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s Finals even as the runners-up from the group. Nepal will now take on Kuwait in their second match on Thursday. Ten Group winners and five best runners-up will qualify for the 2016 AFC U-19 Championship Finals. Bahrain are already assured of the Finals berths as hosts.

Reza Chaab gave Iran the lead in the first minute of the game before Nima Mokhtari put them 2-0 up in the second. Chaab made it 3-0 in the 12th minute and Ali Shojaei netted the fourth in the 31st minute. Mokhatri brought up his second in the 44th minute to end the first half 5-0.

Reza Shekari poured in sixth goal for the hosts with a 55th minute penalty after Tsering Gurung fouled an Iranian player inside the area. Out of sorts after the first half, Nepal conceded four more goals in the last 10 minutes of the game.