Courtesy: Gulf Daily News


Iran clinch futsal title

by Rami Hulayyel

Friday, April 13, 2012

IRAN retained the Women's West Asian Futsal Championship trophy with a resounding 8-1 victory over main rivals Jordan yesterday.

The final clash, staged at Khalifa Sports City's stadium in Isa Town, saw the tournament's best two nations face off in a rematch of last year's final, as they vied for the title of this second edition cup.

However, it was defending champions Iran who lived up to expectations to keep the trophy they won last year in Amman when they edged hosts Jordan 8-7 in the final.

In another match played earlier yesterday, tournament hosts Bahrain bagged the third-place trophy beating Lebanon 8-5 on their debut in this continental competition.

Dina Abdulrahman opened the scoring for Bahrain, but the Lebanese girls soon found the equaliser thanks to Taghreed Hamada.

However, Bahrain were soon back in the lead through Dina, who also fired her third goal in the game in the 14th minute.

Taghreed gave Lebanon some hope scoring the second goal to make it 2-3 at half-time. But the Bahrainis dominated the second-half, adding five more goals to put the scores beyond reach.

Dina hit the fourth goal, then Reem Al Hashmi widened up the margin for the home side for a 5-2 lead.


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Marwa Khamis reduced the deficit for Lebanon with a third goal, but Reem and Dina hit back with a goal apiece. The visitors then scored two quick goals through Sahar Dabook and Sara Haider to end the match at 8-5.

In yesterday's title decider, the Iranians saved their best for last as they stamped authority against an out-of-form Jordan to fire eight times, while conceding only one goal, scored by Ensherah Nhaisat, to celebrate their well-deserved victory.

Speaking after the match, Iran's head coach Shahrzad Mozaffar expressed delight over winning the trophy, adding that the team were fully prepared for the championship.

"The competition was tough and some teams like Lebanon had a strong impact this year, but our team showed strength and we are happy for this victory," said Mozaffar.

She added that warm-up games against Brazil, Spain, Japan and Thailand helped the team attain peak form ahead of their participation in the Bahrain event.

Mozaffar said that the main rivals at the West Asian Championship were Jordan, but also referred to Bahrain and Lebanon who have made good progress in recent years.

Bahrain Football Association vice-president for technical affairs Shaikh Ali bin Khalifa Al Khalifa presented the trophy to Iran and also honoured runners-up Jordan and third-placers Bahrain at the prize-distribution ceremony held after the final, which was also witnessed by West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) general secretary Fadi Zuraikat of Jordan.




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