The defending AFC Futsal Champions, Iran has started their campaign in whirlwind style when they defeated their main rival in the group , Korea Republic by a whopping 14-1 score line.
The first match of the two powerful Asian opponents played in Al Shabab arena to a full capacity mostly Iranian fans who did not stop supporting their team from way before kickoff. Apparently, many fans were unable to gain entry due to the limited space and seats available at this venue.
The first half ended with a 6-0 score line for Team Melli , but the floodgates really opened a few minutes into the second half. Iran displayed some fantastic team world and wonderful goals to keep the crowd entertained through the match.
Midway through the second half, Iran’s coach played virtually the reserve team , but that did not stop the Iranians notching goals one after another.
The irony of this match was that the Korean were quite strong and opponents who did not give up at any stage. Perhaps the gamble taken by the coach in playing the goalkeeper as a field player was behind the large number of late goals conceded in the second half , but apart form that the Koreans were simply overpowered by their nemesis the Iranians who were excellent in individual skills and teamwork.
Another odd occurrence was the failure of the world’s top futsal scorer Vahid Shamsaei and the Captain of the team , to score.
Iran will play Qatar , who lost their first match 3-1 , on Saturday before finishing their group matches against Australia on Sunday.
Lineups
I.R. IRAN
4 DF MOHAMMAD KESHAVARZ NASRABADI 23
7 MF ALI ASGHAR HASSANZADEH 12, 33
9 FW SHAMSAEE VAHID (C)
10 FP TAHERI MOHAMMAD 11
12 GK MOSTAFA NAZARI
Substitutes
1 GK ALI REZA SAMIMI
5 DF HAMID AHMADI
6 MF JAVAD ASGHARIMOGHADDAM 29, 39
11 DF MAJID LATIFI
14 FW MAHDI JAVID 15, 17 27
15 MF HOSSEIN TAYEBI 31
17 MF AHMAD ESMAEILPOUR 7
ALI SANEI ARANI (Head Coach)