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Iran crowned AFC futsal champion

Sunday, 21 February 2016 7:01 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 21 February 2016 7:00 PM ]

Iranian players lift the winners trophy after securing the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal Championship for the 11th time, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, February 21, 2016. (Photo by AFC website)

Iran has been crowned the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal Championship’s ultimate winners for the 11th time.

The title deservingly adorned the country’s already-stellar national futsal record on Sunday after the team edged past hosts Uzbekistan 2-1 at Uzbekistan Stadium in the capital Tashkent.

Dilshod Irsaliev netted the opener for the hosts in the fifth minute, only for Ghodrat Bahadori to neutralize the lead four minutes later.

Captain Mohammad Keshavarz then put Iran in the lead six minutes before halftime, prompting his teammates to successfully preserve the claim throughout the rest of the clash.

Iran had trounced Vietnam undisputedly in the previous game, netting 13 against a solo score by the opponent.

The biennial championship’s title had evaded the games’ most successful team during the past two tournaments.

The top five teams of the 2016 edition, namely Iran, Uzbekistan, Australia, Thailand, and Vietnam, now qualify for the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup, which will be the 8th edition of the event, in Colombia.

Commenting on the quality of the Tashkent tournament, AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa said, “The high-tempo, captivating matches and stunning goals at the AFC Futsal Championship exemplify the role futsal continues to have on player development. I am confident that the Asian teams will do us proud and we expect more riveting displays in Colombia.”

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