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AFCIran cling on to Asian futsal title for record seventh year4 June 2005HO CHI MINH CITY: Winning the Asian futsal title has become a habit with Iran and on Saturday they clinched it again for the seventh year in a row at the Phu Tho Stadium here.
And, yet again at the unflattering end of the 2-0 scoreline in the final of the AFC Futsal Championship stood perennial bridesmaids Japan, who were unable to break a four-year-long jinx during which they have come up short time and again against Team Melli.
Iranian marksman Vahid Shamsaee has been pivotal in Team Melli’s many wins over the years and on Saturday it was only fitting that he opened the scoring in the third minute, taking his tournament goal tally as top scorer to 23. Mohsen Zarei doubled the advantage five minutes later.
Iran have now mastered their Japanese rivals in no less than four championship finals, starting from 2002. The victory margin, however, has been diminishing over the years – a pointer to the rapidly improving skills of the Japanese. In 2002, Iran won 6-0 and a year later they retained the title 6-4. But last year they were pushed all the way by the Japanese and just managed to win 5-3.
The Iranian team this year is arguably the weakest ever and this showed in the way their awesome tournament win streak of six years in which they had not lost or drawn a single match was ended by Japan earlier in the group rounds. But it was Japan who gave a helping hand to Iran by dramatically defeating Thailand in the knockout stage. Had Japan drawn with Thailand, Iran would have been ousted from the tournament.
Iran coach Jurandir Azeredo felt that his team converted more chances and this made the difference. “The level of difficulty was the same as in the last match against Japan. But we converted more chances today,” said Jurandir. “Japan are a very strong team but we were in excellent physical and mental shape.” Japanese coach Sapo did not attend the post-match press conference.
AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam distributed the prizes to the winners and runners-up.
Lebanon are Plate champions: AFC Futsal Championship4 June 2005HO CHI MINH CITY: Lebanon clinched the Plate competition of the AFC Futsal Championship after defeating fellow West Asian rivals Iraq 6-2 on Saturday at the Phu Tho Stadium here.
It was a one-sided final as Lebanon were the vastly superior side throughout while Iraq seemed to be drained by the rigours of their intense semi-final battle against Hong Kong a day earlier.
The Lebanese powered to the title with goals from Khaled Takaji (a brace), Serge Said, Mahmoud Itani, Rabih Abou Chayya and Hayssam Atwi. Iraq pulled back two goals through Adbul Karim Radi and Wameeth Kamel.
“This was an excellent match,” said an elated Lebanese coach Dory Zakhour. “Iraq played very well but we were more experienced. We were especially good in defence and counter-attacks in the second half. I think the Iraqis were tired.”
“It is a wonderful feeling to have won the Plate event here.”
It’s Iraq versus Lebanon in Plate final3 June 2005HO CHI MINH CITY: Semi-final victories for Iraq and Lebanon on Friday gave the final of the AFC Futsal Championship’s Plate competition a distinctly West Asian flavour.
Iraq defeated Hong Kong 4-3 while Lebanon brushed aside the feeble challenge of Palestine, another Middle Eastern country, 6-3 at the Phu Tho Stadium to book their places in the final which will take place on Saturday.
Iraq frittered a 2-0 first half advantage and were made to work hard by their rivals for the win. Abdul Karim Radi and Yasir Jabir put Iraq ahead with well taken goals in the first half but Hong Kong clawed back after the restart with a goal from So Sheung Kwai and Leung Chi Kuh’s brace. Hong Kong lost Szeto Man Chun in the 37th minute to a red card and Iraq pounced on this opportunity and fired two goals through Hussein Ali and Wameeth Kamel to clinch victory.
“Hong Kong played really well but this was not a tough game,” said Iraq’s coach Emad Zubair. “They are a good team but we were not worried because we were confident.”
Hong Kong coach Tsang Wai Chung said his players were nervous in the first half. “They were a bit nervous in the first half as they have never played in the semis of such a big tournament before.”
“I told them to concentrate harder in the second half and we managed to stage a comeback but Iraq were much stronger.”
In the other semi-final, Mahmoud Itani single-handedly won the match for Lebanon after releasing two goals each in either half while teammate Rabih Abou Chaaya grabbed a double. The Palestinian goal scorers were Mohammed H Hassnain, Nader Al Hajjar and Ahmed Abdelhadi.
Lebanese coach Dory Zakhour said his players were relaxed and this helped a lot. “The Palestinians are a very strong team and we were not comfortable with their style of play,” said Zakhour. “But we were relaxed and didn’t lose our focus.”
“We are prepared for the final and, of course, we want to win it.”
Jamal Harb, the Palestine coach, said Lebanon were the better of the two. “We both wanted to win but they turned out to be stronger. We should have scored more goals.”
In the Cup competition final on Saturday, champions Iran will go for a record seventh title against three-time losing finalists Japan.
