Iran secure inaugural Asian women’s futsal championship following a 1-0 victory over Japan in the championship held in Nilai, Malaysia on September 26 (Photo: IRNA)
Elham Asaad Buaras
Iran’s women’s futsal team has displayed their incredible one-touch skills to win the inaugural Asian women’s championship, scoring some of the best goals of the tournament.
Iran secured the title following a 1-0 victory over Japan in the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship held in Nilai, Malaysia, on September 26.
Fereshteh Karimi secured the win with an eighth minute goal.
“My players played very well and our tactics worked, so, I’d like to congratulate my players for the determination they put in the game,” Iran’s coach Forouzan Soleimani said after the match.
“But then it was an extremely difficult match as the Japanese were the favorites and had very good discipline, tactics and techniques. They really made the game tough for us, but we managed to overcome them,” she added.
“We had done a lot in preparation for this game and our patience and perseverance had paid off with this championship. I believe the future of Iranian women’s futsal is even brighter now and we are looking forward to participating in more international championships in the future.” Soleimani said.
Japan coach Arihara Masaaki commented, “The game against Iran was really challenging but my team played well. After the Iranian goal, our players were confused for a while but they bounced back in spirit and then stuck to the game plan.”
Iran booked a place at the final after beating Thailand 1-0 in the semi-finals. But it was their domineering display in Group A which included Hong Kong, Malaysia and Uzbekistan that grabbed the headlines.
Iran kicked off their championship with a 6-0 thumping of Hong Kong on September 21.
They then crushed Uzbekistan with a 9-1 win the next day, they followed up that victory with another domineering (4-2) display against Malaysia, producing one of the best team goals of the year, in the first minute of the match.
After a move that started in their own half, Iran produced a string of four quick-fire passes before a through ball left Fahimeh Zarei clean through on goal, and instead of simply slotting the ball past the keeper she opted for an outrageous back-heeled effort.
The Thai team defeated Malaysia 4-1 in the third place play-off.
