The UAE Olympic football team had a blazing start with a crushing 13-0 victory over Guam, leading 9-0 at halftime, on Wednesday at Al Nahyan Stadium in Al Wahda Club, Abu Dhabi, during the AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualifiers for the finals to be held in Saudi Arabia.

The “White” team’s win was expected, but the score was historic and record-breaking, the largest margin in UAE’s participation history, while it was the heaviest defeat ever for Guam’s Olympic team.

In Group 9 matches, Iran also defeated Hong Kong 4-0. The upcoming match between the UAE and Iran will be decisive in determining the direct qualifier for the finals scheduled from January 7 to 25, 2026.

Eleven group winners will qualify, along with the best four second-placed teams.

From the start, it was clear the UAE team was heading for a big win after Junior Ndai opened the scoring in the 7th minute, followed by goals from Yousuf Ahmed Saeed (15), Majid Saeed Al Kass (17), who also scored again in the 43rd and completed a hat-trick in the 77th minute.

Additional goals came from Ahmed Malallah (26), Soso (30), Mohammad Juma Al Mansoori with two goals (34 and 45+2 from a free kick), Mansour Al Menhali with two goals (44 and 49), Dhari Fahad (62), and Issa Khalfan (88).

In another match at Al Nahyan Stadium, Iran achieved a wide 4-0 win over Hong Kong.

The first half ended goalless, with several missed chances especially by Iran.

Iran’s attempts continued until the 69th minute when Mehdi Jafari scored from a direct free kick to take the lead.

Four minutes later, Iran added a second goal with a powerful shot by Amir Mohammad after a rebound from Hong Kong’s defense in the 73rd minute.

Hong Kong’s defense collapsed, and Iran added two more goals by player Taheri in the 86th and 88th minutes.