PALESTINE 11: GUAM 0
Fahed Attal slammed a double-hattrick as Palestine cautioned their AFC Challenge Cup rivals with a flurry of goals in the opening match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium, sweeping aside unfancied Guam 11-0.

Palestine, the second-ranked side in the tournament, bombarded the rival goal with a series of raids in an embarrassingly one-sided affair and took six minutes to open the floodgate when Ahmed Keshkesh placed a left-footer past Guam goalkeeper Brett Maluwelmeng.

Run ragged by their mighty opponents, there was no respite for Guam who conceded an 8-0 lead at the break with forward Fahed finding the net five times.

He scored a hattrick in twelve minutes, before slamming home two more, the first of which was a stunning left footed volley.

For Palestine, Fardy Salem and Chile based Francisco put in eye-catching performances. Palestine coach Mohammed Sabbah complimented a good performance. "It was our first match against Guam so we did not know the opposition. I am happy with Fahed who scored six and Francisco, who was really tremendous at the flank."

INDIA 2: AFGHANISTAN 0
A brace by Vimal Pariyar ensured a successful start to India's campaign as they defeated Afghanistan 2-0 in their Group A match at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong on Saturday.

India dominated the proceedings from the start and Pariyar's shot in the 19th minute hit the woodwork. Thokchom Singh skirted two defenders in the 35th minute and supplied the ball to Pariyar, who easily tapped it in.

India led 1-0 at the break.

Afghanistan started offensively after the restart but missed two easy chances. In the 52nd minute, Hafizullah Qadami missed a sitter after a cross from Mohammad Dalal Afshar and he once again failed to find the net 13 minutes later.

Pariyar made it 2-0 for India in the 60th minute on a pass from Xavier Vijay Kumar.

Indian coach Islam Akhmedov, however, was not satisfied with the performance of the players. "I am happy with the result but not with the performance. I hope the players will play more confidently in the second match," he said.

CHINESE TAIPEI 1: PHILIPPINES 0
A solitary goal by Wei-Lun Chuang helped Chinese Taipei overcome 10-man Philippines 1-0 in their match in the AFC Challenge Cup at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chittagong on Saturday.

Chuang scored the all-important goal in the 19th minute to give his side three points from the opener.

Substitute Emelio Caligdong of the Philippines was redcarded in the 85th minute after he dangerously brought down Chinese Taipei's Meng-Chian Lee.

Chinese Taipei's assistant coach Wu-Yeh Chang said "Our players were very tired during the match because they are not used to these hot conditions and rigorous training since two days."

Philippines coach Aris Caslib blamed the defeat on the redcard. "It was a crucial moment of the match because we were attacking regularly at the rival citadel. We could have scored an equaliser," he said.