China thrash Taiwan, India held to goalless draw by Iran at Women's Asian Cup

Wang Shuang scored twice as eight-time champions China started their Women's Asian Cup campaign with a 4-0 thrashing of Taiwan in Mumbai on Thursday, while hosts India lacked the cutting edge in front of goal in their 0-0 draw with debutants Iran.

China have not won the title since 2006 but Shui Qingxia's side made the perfect start in the tournament's opening game in Group A at the Mumbai Football Arena.

Wang's goals bookended a convincing performance from her team, the former Paris St Germain midfielder putting China ahead from the penalty spot with less than three minutes on the clock.

Zhang Linyan had been bundled over inside the penalty area just 90 seconds into the game by Pan Yen-hsin and referee Abirami Naidu pointed to the spot.

Wang coolly rolled the ball into the corner, sending goalkeeper Cheng Ssu-yu the wrong way.

Within a further six minutes Shui's side had doubled their lead when Wang Shanshan met Gao Chen's cross from the right, her header going in off the inside of the post.

Nine minutes into the second half China claimed a third with Wang Shuang providing the pass that allowed Zhang Xin to find space behind the Chinese Taipei defence before stroking her effort home.

Zhang returned the favour 14 minutes later when her cross from the left was somehow missed by four defenders and Wang Shuang kept her head to score.

SLOPPY INDIA

India, playing at the tournament for the first time in 19 years, made a bright start at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium with winger Manisha whipping in crosses from the left.

But Iran soon settled into the game and twice went close to scoring when Ghazaleh Banitalebi's header from a free kick struck the crossbar and forward Negin Zandi shot wide from close range after a defensive error