Courtesy: The AFC.com


Iran 4-0 Australia

Friday, 01 June 2012

Iran ensured direct entry to the next edition of the tournament following a hard-fought 4-0 win over Australia in the AFC Futsal Championship UAE 2012 third-place playoff on Friday.

Australia defended resolutely, with goalkeeper Peter Spathis a particular source of frustration for the Iranians, until the infinitely more experienced Iranians took advantage of the flagging Futsalroos with four unanswered goals in the last four minutes.

Iran went into the match looking to cast aside some of the disappointment of being denied the chance to claim the coveted trophy for an 11th time in 12 competitions by Thailand and achieve the victory at the Al Wasl Stadium that would see them avoid having to play a qualifying campaign for the 2014 AFC Futsal Championship.

Australia meanwhile had already exceeded expectations when they defeated Kuwait 3-2 after extra-time of their quarter-final to book a place in November’s 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup and were out to upset the odds once again and avenge their 9-0 drubbing in the final Group C match.

In that game, the ten-time champions were 4-0 up at the break but this time around a combination of some superb keeping from Peter Spathis and formidable shot-blocking from the Futsalroos backline saw the first-half finish goalless.

Australia were not without their chances in the first-half and in the opening five minutes of the second period twice tested Iran keeper Mostafa Nazari as the former champions saw glimpses of being vulnerable on the counterattack.

Iran continued to dominate possession but they struggled to find a way past Spathis and when they did beat the Aussie keeper with eight minutes remaining Dean Lockhart was on hand to block the ball on the line.

But with four minutes 31 seconds left the flagging Futsalroos were beaten when Javad Asgharimoghaddami intercepted an attempted clearance from Gregory Giovenali to round Spathis and roll the ball into the empty net.

A minute later Spathis was beaten for a second time swift break from the Iran half culminated with Mohammad Taheri confidently sweeping the ball home after being teed up by Mohammad Keshavaraz.

Australia attempted to get back into the game with the power play but the move backfired on the Futsalroos with Asgharimoghaddami scoring into the unguarded net from deep inside his own half before Asian futsal icon Vahid Shamsaee put the gloss on the win with number in the dying seconds.




Courtesy: The AFC.com


Knight proud of amateur Aussies

Friday, 01 June 2012

Head coach Steven Knight has said Australia should be proud of his players' achievements at the AFC Futsal Championship UAE 2012 as the Futsalroos impressive campaign ended with a hard-fought 4-0 loss to former champions Iran in Friday's third-place playoff.

Knight's charges exceeded expectations to reach the semi-finals of the tournament to claim a place in November's FIFA Futsal World Cup and although they were denied a place in the final by Japan and a third-place finish that would have qualified them directly to the 2014 tournament, the amateur Aussies gave the two Asian futsal powerhouses a run for their money.

"I am happy to have played six games here, which is the first for Australian futsal, and very happy that we made it to the World Cup, which is another first for Australian futsal, so everyone back home should be proud of what the boys have achieved here," Knight said following the 4-0 loss to Iran.

Australia were hammered 9-0 in the group stage by the same opponents who went into the match at the Al Wasl Stadium still smarting after their shock 5-4 defeat to Thailand in the semi-finals.

But any notions that there would be a repeat of the first meeting between the two sides were soon dispelled as Australia defended resolutely, with goalkeeper Peter Spathis a particular source of frustration, until the infinitely more experienced Iranians took advantage of the flagging Futsalroos with four unanswered goals in the last eight minutes.

"The better team won on the day and our opponents made the most of their opportunities late in the second half," conceded Knight.

"We didn't keep possession well in the second period. Our goalkeeper kept us in the game but there is only so long he can do that.

"It's difficult for amateur players as they have to take unpaid leave from their work so we need to find a balance between work, family and the sport."




Courtesy: The AFC.com


Sanei: this was a World Cup wake-up call

Friday, 01 June 2012

Iran coach Ali Sanei has said his side must heed the lessons from the AFC Futsal Championship UAE 2012 as the deposed champions enter the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in the unfamiliar position as Asia's third best side.

The ten-time champions defeated Australia 4-0 in a draining third-place playoff in which Iran needed four goals in the final four minutes to finally break down a formidable Futsalroos defence and get the better of the inspirational Aussie keeper Peter Spathis.

But for a nation that has won all but one tournament since its inception in 1999, third-place, and automatic qualification to the 2014 AFC Futsal Championship, is not nearly enough, with Sanei himself admitting that "the trophy was expected in Tehran."

"Australia is a very physical side as we saw in this game and I think the shock of our defeat to Thailand inspired them in this match and they put pressure on us," said Sanei, who felt that post-tournament post mortem must focus on a realistic assessment of their defeat to the ASEAN champions.

"This has been a warning for us and now we must ask ourselves the necessary questions before the World Cup.

"But with regards to the semi-final, I consider that game an 'accident' and I guarantee that if we played them ten more times we would not get that result.

"Maybe it was to do with my lack of experience as coach but remember that we also lost to them in 2008. We have lost to Paraguay and also to European teams. We have drawn with Belgium. These results happen from tie-to-time."

Sanei added that he was uncertain whether or not he would be at the helm of Iran in the run up to the World Cup in Thailand later this year.

"My contract runs another two months and whether I stay or go depends on the Federation.

"Whether it is me or someone with more experience that coaches the team we must learn from what happened here in Dubai.

"But regardless of any changes we are still a strong enough side to be competing with top four at the World Cup."




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