Cahill hat trick inspires Australia to 4-0 win in Bangladesh

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) Tim Cahill scored a first-half hat trick to help Australia to a 4-0 win over Bangladesh in Dhaka on Tuesday in the second round of Asian qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

Despite arriving in Bangladesh only the day before the game due to security concerns, it was an easy win for Australia against a team it defeated 5-0 in Perth in September.

Cahill opened the scoring after just six minutes and the former Everton midfielder completed his three-goal haul 31 minutes later. There was still time before the break for Mile Jedinak of Crystal Palace to add a fourth.

Australia now has 15 points from six games in Group B.

Despite missing captain Andranik Teymourian and three other players, reportedly due to visa issues, Iran thrashed Guam 6-0 in Group D.

Media reports in Tehran said some players and staff were unable to enter Guam, a United States territory, but Carlos Queiroz's Iran squad had few difficulties on the field.

Mehdi Taremi opened the scoring after 12 minutes and Iran, aiming to reach a fifth World Cup, dominated throughout the game.

Elsewhere, North Korea defeated Bahrain 2-0, Saudi Arabia thrashed Timor Leste 10-0 and Iraq won 2-0 in Taiwan.

The eight group winners and four best second-place teams will progress to the last stage of Asian qualifying.