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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.
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