Doha: Three goals in an incredible three-minute spell at the start of the second half was the highlight in Iraq’s 5-0 defeat of Turkmenistan that saw the West Asians through to the AFC U-16 Championship as the curtain came down on the qualifiers on Sunday. Iraq topped Group C ahead of Tajikistan after the Central Asians stunned hosts Qatar 1-0 to take the runners-up place ahead of the Gulf side, who, alongside Iraq, were considered the favourites for a top-two finish. Alla Adnan Jabbar, who scored the match-winner in Iraq’s crucial 1-0 victory over the Qataris on Friday scored the first of his hat-trick against Turkmenistan with 19 minutes at the Aspire Dome Indoor Stadium played before Ahmed Sartip Omar struck in the 32nd minute to give Iraq a 2-0 lead at the change of ends. Jabbar (pictured) grabbed his second in the 51st minute before completing the victory three minutes later with his third of the match, with the forward’s hat-trick coming just 60 seconds after midfielder Saleh Mahdi Saleh had made it 4-0. Meanwhile, it was a disappointing end for Qatar as Tajikistan beat the Group C hosts to second place after midfielder Ziyovuddin Fuzaylov scored an 82nd minute winner to settle the earlier encounter at the Aspire Dome Indoor Stadium. Eleven group winners and four best second-placed teams will join India in next year’s finals, with the tournament hosts receiving an automatic qualification. Should India finish top of their qualifying group or among the four best second-placed teams, the fifth best second-placed nation will qualify for the final competition.