AFC Futsal Championship: Hard slog for Iran

AFC -  Iran were made to work hard by Lebanon in their Group D opener before the seven-time champions posted an 8-4 win for a nervy start to their AFC Futsal Championship campaign here on Sunday.

China beat Malaysia 2-0 in the other group game.

In the early stages of the Iran-Lebanon tussle, the Lebanese had the upper hand. However, Iran took the lead 1-0 at the fifth minute mark through Mohammad Taheri after a great assist from captain Mohammad Reza Heidariani.

Shortly after Lebanon equalized to make it 1-1 on a one-two play between Hayssam Atwi and Khaled Takaji, with Takaji finishing.

After that Iran had a series of shots and the Lebanese keeper, Rabie El Kakhi did well to stop many shots. On the 12th minute, Lebanon then took the lead after a great combination between Atwi and Takaji again. Iran then equalized after a good pass down the middle with a Mohammad Nasrabadi goal to make it 2-2.

About half a minute later Taheri scored a great goal from long range for 3-2 to Iran.

Next on 17 minutes Vahid Shamsee received the ball with his back to the goal, and turned to strike a powerful shot for a great goal making it 4-2 to Iran.

Lebanon got a goal just before half time on an individual play during which Chaaya showed some great dribbling skills. In the last minute of the half Lebanon got a goal back from Chaaya after an assist and great dribbling by Takaji. Iran trooped out for the breather 4-3 ahead.

The second half started tight. After three minutes Lebanon were unlucky to concede an own goal from a corner kick. Following that Iran created plenty of opportunities. Lebanon was starting to get tired after a great first half effort. On 11 minutes Iran scored a great goal which involved three players and was finished by Hashemzadeh for 6-3.

Iran were now in full control and added another one on 13 minutes from Taheri for 7-3. On 17 minutes Lebanon scored their 4th goal again after some amazing individual skill from Atwi. In the last minute Iran scored another goal to make it 8-4. It was a rebound from a corner kick by Latif.

In the end Iran were too strong for a spirited Lebanon side who side some great individual skill, particularly Atwi and Takaji.

After the match, Iran coach Hossein Shams said: “I am surprised by the strong showing.

When asked about using ageing players, Shams said: “In futsal age isn't such an important factor. What you saw today wasn't everything. We have different tactics for different teams."

In the early stages, the China-Malaysia match had a high tempo but it was a tight game.

In the fifth minute China created a great chance with a good cross, but the receiving player just missed the ball.

Later on a counter China was close again, but the shot was off target. In the 11th and 14th minutes China created more great chances but the Malaysian keeper, Ramli Zaidi made good saves.

China were more dominant but they were unable to make the penetrating final pass.

In the second half China turned it up a notch and attacked relentlessly. In the fifth minute they got the goal they were looking for through Li Xin. It was a good dribble and shot. Malaysia opened up a bit more and this led to may China counter-attacks.

In the 17th minute after some rough play by a Malaysian player there was a minor scuffle between several players.

In the 38th minute the Malaysia keeper came up to help the attack.

Unluckily, the ball was intercepted and the keeper fell, leaving Zhang Jiong to run down with the ball to score into an empty goal for a final score of 2-0.

Chinese coach Zhang Zhicheng said: “We didn’t push forward enough in the first half and in the second half I told them to move forward.”