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IRNA - The five-times Asian futsal champion, Iran, is determined to ease past Thailand in the Asian semifinal in Macau, China, Saturday to set up final with Japan.
Iran demolished the Thai side 10-1 in the first Asian edition in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, in 1999 and handed it a 8-2 humiliating defeat in its capital Bangkok in 2000. 
The undisputed champion has met Nippon three times in final. Playing in front of over 12,000 home fans in the Azadi hall, Iran overcame the struggling Japan 8-4 in 2001 to retain the title for the third consecutive time. 
Iran proved too strong for Japan in the fourth edition in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, winning the final 6-0. 
Japan reduced the gap next year in Tehran as it lost 6-4 in a nail-biting final. 
The budding Japan beat Uzbekistan 4-2 Saturday in the hope of taking revenge on the Asian futsal lord -- Iran. 
Iran punished Hong Kong 15-0 in its opening match, routed Indonesia 13-3 in the second match, gave Cambodia a 24-1 licking in the third game, tamed Uzbekistan 8-1, and clobbered Kuwait 10-3.
In the latest world rankings released by the Futsal Committee of FIFA in early April, Iran stood seventh.

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