AFC Futsal Championship: Upstarts Lebanon create history as Iran continue to impress

AFC - Lebanon made it to the last eight stage of the AFC Futsal Championship for only second time in their history beating Malaysia 9-2 while seven-time champions Iran continued their winning campaign beating China 8-0 to top Group D on Tuesday.

At the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium, Kazem Mohammadi Tirabadi, Babak Masoumi Daraki, Mohammad Taheri, Mohammad Reza Zahmatkesh Bajgiran, Mohammad Hashem Zadeh, Ahmad Pari Azar and Javad Asgharimoghaddam (two) contributed in Iran’s massive win.

Spearheaded by majestic captain Mohammad Reza Heidarian and talismanic striker Vahid Shamsaee, IR Iran showed just why they loom as Japan’s biggest threat as the ninth annual AFC Futsal Championships now enters its most crucial stage.

The seven-time champions were simply strolling at times against their less fancied opponents, who themselves will be disappointed at their third place finish in Group D, following on from their promising display in Uzbekistan last year.

China’s defeat to group rivals Lebanon yesterday was the ultimately telling blow to the East Asian’s, whose previous best Championships finish was in Macau in 2004, where they managed a quarter final appearance.

But the day belonged to Iran, whose win was their tenth from their last twelve Championships starts.

“We are now just thinking about the quarter finals, but we don’t want to put too much pressure on the players,” said Iran coach Hossein Shams.

“Today, we wanted to put on a good show for the fans in the stadium, we wanted to show them so of our beautiful tactics.”

Lebanon went looking for goals at the Amagazaki City Park Gymnasium and they did well scoring four in the first half and five after the restart.

Lebanon came out all guns smoking led by the trickery and shooting prowess of standout performer Khaled Takaji.

Within the first few minutes five minutes it was already 3-0 with Takaji scoring twice and his teammate Rabih Abou Chaaya also getting one.

The game continued at a high pace with both teams creating chances until around the tenth minute when Lebanon scored again - Abou Chaaya getting his second on a simple tap in.

Malaysia started running harder and their hard worked was repaid with a goal by Mohammed Fadzil Ab Karnim.

This gave the Malaysian more belief in themselves and their hard work and improving movement led to another chance and goal.

Mohamad Feroz Ab Karnim beat a defender, then deftly scored on a toe-poke to close the score to 2-4. The score remained that way until half-time.

The second half started much slower than the first half had ended.

The first ten minutes of the half saw a stalemate with the Malaysians seemingly having settled in defense.

However, just after the midway point, Lebanon found some space and Takaji claimed his hat-trick thanks to a defensive mistake.

The floodgates now opened and Lebanon scored again on penalty kick by Hayssam Atwi to make it 6-2 for Lebanon.

Malaysia also had a penalty kick, but were unlucky to hit the crossbar.

Lebanon continued attacking and soon got a goal from Francois Kharma on a drive with his weaker left foot.

The Lebanese then had a power-play chance for the final minute of the game, and sure enough Mahmoud Itani added another goal on a fiercely struck free-kick to make it 8-2 for Lebanon. Mohammad Iskandarani sealed the West Asian's victory with their ninth goal in the final minute of the game.

“We have played Kyrgyzstan twice, we drew them 2-2 and lost 7-3. We have to win this time to get revenge,” said Lebanon coach Dory Zakhour

“We hope to get third place.”

Iran will now take on Group C qualifiers Australia at the Amagazaki City Commemoration Park Gymnasium for a place in the semi finals, while Lebanon will take on Kyrgyzstan at the same venue.