Iran Spearhead Asian Challenge at KL World 5s

FNA- With a record-breaking eight AFC Futsal Championships to their name, there is no doubt that Iran will be the continent's best bet for glory when the KL World 5s gets under way at Stadium Negara from Jan 29-Feb 3.

The Iranians have been drawn in Group B with former world champions Brazil, Holland, China and ASEAN champions Thailand.

Malaysia are in Group A with Argentina, Indonesia, England and Australia.

For Iran, winning the AFC futsal crown in 2007 - their eighth since 1999 - helped erase the bitter memories of losing to Japan in the quarter-finals of the championship the previous year.

A few months after clinching the Asian title, Iran reinforced their status as the best in the region in November last year when they grabbed their second Asian Indoor Games title in as many years.

The Iranians will be led by the inspirational Vahid Shamsaee, who is the nation's top scorer with 316 goals from 103 appearances.

The other players to watch out for are Mohamed Hashemzadeh, Mohammad Reza Heidarian and Babak Masoumi.

Jan 29: Indonesia vs Australia (10am); China vs Brazil (3pm); Argentina vs England (5pm); Malaysia vs Indonesia (7pm); Thailand vs Holland (9pm)

Jan 30: China vs Thailand (10am); England vs Indonesia (3pm); Argentina vs Malaysia (5pm); Iran vs Brazil (7pm); Holland vs China 9pm)

Jan 31: Australia vs Malaysia (10am); Holland vs Iran (1pm); Indonesia vs Argentina (3pm); Brazil vs Thailand (6pm); England vs Australia (9pm)

Feb 1: Iran vs China (10am); Malaysia vs England 3pm); Australia vs Argentina (5pm); Brazil vs Holland (7pm); Thailand vs Iran (9pm);