Futsal Team Melli defeated the host nation Vietnam 15-4 to book its place in the semifinals of the AFC Futsal Championship 2014. The first half of the Quarter Final in Phu Tho Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City ended 5-1 for Iran. In the Semifinal on Thursday , Iran will meet Uzbekistan for a place in the final while on the other semifinals  , Japan will meet Kuwait.

As expected , the arena was full to its capacity with local Vietnamese fan enthusiastically supporting their team in their quest for a unique win against the Asian Powerhouse, Iran

Hossein Tayyebi , however broke the Vietnamese concentration when he scored the first goal early with one of his trademark half turns and shooting into the goal. After that goal Vietnam played very tight defensive game that prevented Team Melli from increase the goal margin.

With their good defensive game plan , lots of enthusiasm and vociferous backing of the fans , the host was looking to threaten Iran with their fast paced counter attack game. However , Vietnam came short in tactics and individual skills. They were no match for the much more experienced and skilful Iranian players, despite the fact that Iran has gone through major upheaval in the roster by introducing many young talents. The fast pace game that Vietnam played was also the Achilles heel of the team as they sacrificed accuracy with their players missing simple passes.

Vietnam then switched over playing a physically demanding plan by pressing the Iranian ball carrier but coming short while exhausting themselves in the process.

There were some outstanding performance by young Iranian Mohammad Shajari who scored a hat trick to prove that Iran has talent in Futsal and claim his ace for a starting role.

However, the star of the show was Hossen Tayyebi, once again.

Tayyebi’s performance so far in this championship rates him as the best Asian futsal player and a leading candidate for Asian Futsal MVP. His vision, quick turns, scoring from any angle, dribbling and energy is second to none. He is a worthy replacement for the exceptional Iranian futsal player and the legend Vahid Shamsaei. Tayyebi has quite a few years ahead of him but he is already a player who is very much a world class standard and soon, with such exceptional performance and dedication to the game, he will become a household name.

Hossein Tayyebi and Asghar Hassanzadeh helped themselves to hat trick as well.

Farhad Fakhim and Alireza Vafaei scored a brace each while Behrouz Jafary and Vahid Shafei scored one each.