PTV - Iran’s national beach soccer team has trounced Philippine 20-0 in the opening match of Asia qualifying for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

On Tuesday, the Iranians finished the first period at the Katara Beach in the Qatari capital Doha with a 3-0 lead before pulling away with a 10-0 edge after the second period.

The Filipinos’ woes continued in the third period, allowing Iran to hit 10 more goals to settle the final score.

The Asian qualifiers started in Doha on January 22 and will wrap up on January 26.

Continental heavyweights like Japan and Iran are widely expected to fill one of the region’s berths for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, which will be held from September 18 to 28 in Papeete on the southern Pacific island of Tahiti.

Qatar and Afghanistan are taking part in the Asian qualifiers for the first time.

The first-place teams from each of the four groups advance to the semifinals.

The two finalists and the third-place playoff winner will qualify for the 2013 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.