HA NOI (VNS) — Viet Nam lost to Australia, 0-6, in their opening game at the Asian Football Confederation U16 Women's Championship qualifying round in Malaysia on Saturday.

Five goals were scored in the first half, with Panagiota Petratos and Melina Ayres each pocketing a double and midfielder Adriana Taranto securing the opener. Substitue Grace Maher sealed the 6-0 triumph in the 90th minute.

In the other Group C match, South Korea, the 2009 champion, scored an emphatic double-figure victory over Hong Kong, 11-0. Today Australia take on Hong Kong and South Korea play Viet Nam. A total of 19 participants in the qualifying round were divided into four groups. The winners of each group will advance to the finals to be organised in China in November next year. — VNS