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AFC - Defending champions Iran burst out of the blocks in the AFC Futsal Champions with a 19-2 demolition of Group B rivals Tajikistan on Sunday.
Australia emerged as the main contender to challenge Iran for top honours in the group after they beat Kuwait 4-2.

Mohammad Taheri scored seven goals, Masoud Daneshvar hit four and Mohammadreza Zahmatkesh and Hassan Ali Asghar also delivered hat-tricks as Iran shrugged off the absence of star player Vahid Shamsaee.

It was Ali Asghar who gave Iran a thundering start with his three goals coming in the opening four minutes. Also on target for Iran were Majid Raeisi and Tayyebi Mostafa.

Tajikistan’s goals came from Vasiev Dilshod, in the 26th minute and Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev, who scored after 33 minutes.

Australia went 2-0 up with two goals in quick succession in the 16th and 17th minutes through Romas Rogic and Danny Ngalauffe.

Salem Al Mekaimi pulled one back for Kuwait two minutes later but Rogic restored the two-goal advantage in the 21st minute.

Kuwait fought back yet again through Omar Al Jaser in the 39th minute, however, Rogic completed his hat-trick in the final seconds to seal victory for the Aussies.

The victory will put Australia in a buoyant mood for their crunch clash against Iran on Monday, when Tajikistan also take on Kuwait.
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