Courtesy: FIFA.com


Iran extend regional dominance

Monday 19 May 2008

Iran secured a record ninth Asian Futsal Championship title courtesy of a 4-0 victory over Thailand, whose consolation for defeat in the final is a place alongside their conquerors, third-placed Japan and China PR at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008, which will begin on 30 September. The Iranians dominated the competition en route to retaining the title, which has only evaded them on one occasion, when Japan seized gold in 2006.

The final, which pitted the defending champions against the hosts, was one Iran coach Hossein Shams expected even before the tournament got underway. "I think we will meet Japan in the semi-finals while Thailand play Uzbekistan. Then there will be an Iran-Thailand final," he predicted.

Having scored an incredible 44 times to reach the deciding match, Iran's touch did not desert them against Thailand, with a Vahid Shamsaee double and efforts from Majid Latifi and skipper Mohammad Reza Heidarain sealing a 4-0 success. Shamsaee, who finished up with 13 goals to his name, pocketed both the top scorer and MVP awards.

"Apparently Thailand performed better than before," coach Shams reflected. "But we put the game under control. And even though we should have scored more, we just wanted to be sure about everything."

Chinese emergence
If the sight of Iran atop of the podium came as little surprise, the identity of one of the semi-finalists did cause a stir. China were expected to fall to Uzbekistan in their quarter-final, but the East Asians upset their rivals 4-1 to book a first-ever place at the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

The Chinese, under Brazilian coach Farinha, got their campaign off to a flying start by beating Tajikistan 9-0, before an 8-1 reverse by Iran in their ensuing fixture dampened their spirits. However, China responded by putting nine unanswered goals past Kuwait in their final group game to bank a meeting with Uzbekistan, which they won.

Thereafter, China twice came from behind to share six goals with Japan heading into the final minutes of their third-place match, but two late goals from Komiyama Yusuke proved to be their undoing. It was insufficient, however, to spoil their delight at booking a trip to Brazil.

"Eventually we qualified for the World Cup and it is difficult to say anything, especially after beating a team like Uzbekistan," said an emotional Farinha. "I just want to thank the players for four months' hard word. It was the team work that made the difference this time around."




Courtesy: FIFA.com


Asian quartet take their places

Thursday 15 May 2008

A trio of Asia's traditional powerhouses have booked their places FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008, with Iran, Japan and hosts Thailand cruising to resounding victories in Thursday's quarter-finals. However, it was China who stole the show as they stunned Uzbekistan 4-1 to book their maiden appearance at the global showpiece.

China, who have never progressed beyond the quarter-final stage at continental level, emerged a different team under Brazilian coach Farinha. Despite suffering an 8-1mauling at the hands of group favourites Iran in the second game, two identical 9-0 victories over Tajikistan and Kuwait saw them through to last eight as the group's second-placed team behind Iran. In the decisive quarter-final encounter against Uzbekistan, Farinha's charges kept their cool to dispatch the Central Asians to progress to Brazil 2008.

After winning their group with three straight victories over Iraq (1-0), Indonesia (11-0) and Kyrgyzstan (3-1), hosts Thailand had their first real test in the quarter-finals against a formidable Australia side, who had finished their group competition behind Japan to reach the knockout stage. The hosts, however, showed their visitors no mercy by running out 5-2 winners.

As the only Asian team besides Iran to have won the continental laurels, Japan had few problems in topping their section with overwhelming wins over Chinese Taipei (8-2), Turkmenistan (4-1) and Australia (4-2). They then went on to dominate their quarter-final meeting with Kyrgyzstan, scoring four unanswered goals to progress with ease.

Iran, meanwhile, confirmed their status as 'Asian Futsal Kings' as they topped their group unchallenged, scoring an incredible 34 goals in three wins while conceding just one in the process - in that 8-1 defeat of China. In their quarter-final clash, the defending champions certainly gave Lebanon no chance, waltzing through 9-1.

The semi-finals will now see hosts Thailand lock horns with China while Iran cross swords with Japan.




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