Courtesy: The AFC.com


Iran finish runners-up in Futsal Grand Prix

Monday, 06 July 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: Asian futsal powerhouse Iran finished runners-up in the Futsal Grand Prix after going down 7-1 to Brazil in the final at the Newton de Faria Stadium in Anapolis, Brazil.

Wilde netted a hat-trick for the four-time champions while Ari, Falcao and Lukaian scored a goal apiece. An own goal by Tayebi compounded coach Hossein Shams’ woes while Jasem Soltani pulled one goal back for Iran.

Earlier, Iran beat Uruguay 5-3 and Romania 5-2 while they were held 1-1 by Costa Rica in their first final Group B game of this 16-team competition.

They overcame Ukraine 5-3 on penalties in the quarter-finals after the regulation time ended in a 1-1 stalemate.

Goalkeeper Hamid Reza Abrarinia was once again Iran’s hero in the semi-final against Czech Republic when they won 4-1 on penalties. Both the teams were tied 4-4 at the end of the regulation time.

This was for the second time that Iran, who lost to Brazil 1-0 in the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup, finished runners-up in this competition. They went down to Brazil 4-0 in the final of 2007 edition.







Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com