Afghanistan Routs Myanmar 4-1 in U17 Qualifier
Mohammad Fahim Hammas scored a hat-trick as Afghanistan opened its AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a win over hosts Myanmar.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Soccer
Afghanistan defeated Myanmar 4-1 in its opening Group A match of AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifying. Mohammad Fahim Hammas scored a hat-trick, and Taib Qaderi also found the net.
Why it matters
The result gives Afghanistan a strong start in its qualifying group for the AFC U17 Asian Cup, with the finals set to be hosted by Uzbekistan in 2027. Early points can be decisive in group-stage qualification.
Hammas scored in the 15th, 23rd and 49th minutes, while Qaderi broke the deadlock in the ninth minute. Thet Naing Oo converted a 56th-minute penalty to pull one back for Myanmar, leaving the final score at 4-1.
The players
Mohammad Fahim Hammas
Afghan forward who scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 win over Myanmar.
Taib Qaderi
Afghan player who scored the opening goal in the ninth minute.
Thet Naing Oo
Myanmar player who converted a penalty in the 56th minute.
The details
Qaderi opened the scoring in the ninth minute before Hammas doubled the lead in the 15th minute and added a third in the 23rd, giving Afghanistan a 3-0 advantage at the break. Hammas completed his hat-trick four minutes into the second half, and Myanmar's Thet Naing Oo converted a penalty in the 56th minute.
Timeline
November 8, 2026: Afghanistan defeats Myanmar 4-1 in its opening Group A match.
Wednesday: Afghanistan faces Cambodia in its next qualifying match.
Season Trajectory
The AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers determine which nations reach the finals hosted by Uzbekistan in 2027. A strong opening result like Afghanistan's sets an early tone for group positioning in the campaign.
A three-goal opening half puts Afghanistan in control of its group early and makes the Cambodia match on Wednesday a chance to build on the momentum. Fans following U17 qualifying can track the group table as the remaining fixtures unfold.
The takeaway
Early results in youth qualifying can set the tone for an entire group, so the coming Cambodia fixture will be an important test of Afghanistan's form.
What happens next
Afghanistan's next qualifying match against Cambodia takes place on Wednesday.
Further reading
For more on the continental competition, see the latest Soccer coverage.
