Courtesy: Persian Mirror

Iran win the Asian Futsal Championship

by Afshin Dastafshan

Iran lift the title for a record eighth time

Iran national Futsal team beat the current Asian Champions and tournament hosts Japan 4-1 in the final of Asian Futsal Championship 2007 to win the title for a record eighth time in the tournament’s nine year history, Iran and Japan both qualify for Futsal World cup 2008 that will take place in Brazil.

Having topped Group D qualifiers with 3 straight wins Iran beat Australia 8-0 in the quarter-finals, Uzbekistan offered some resistance at semi-final stage before going down to Iran 5-3, having won Group A also with three straight wins Japan overcame Thailand and Kyrgyzstan to reach the finals. The much anticipated final between Iran and Japan took place at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium on May 19th.

Iran’s deadly striker Vahid shamsaee was on top form scoring one and setting up two of Iran’s goals in the match, Shamsaee won the man of the match award, as the best player in the tournament scoring eleven goals Shamsaee was also rewarded with the MVP award.

Japan unbeaten in this tournament were outclassed by Iran and tasted their first defeat, Iran took a 4-0 lead in this match with Japan scoring late in the game in what was a consolation goal, the match ended Iran 4 – Japan 1 with Iran lifting the trophy for the eighth time in nine years. Iran were also presented with the Fair Play award having accumulated the least amount of bookings in the tournament.

Iran will now be focusing on Futsal world cup 2008 in Brazil with the aim of progressing to the knock-out stages, in recent world cups Iran have come across tough opposition such as Spain and Argentina in the first round and were knocked out.



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