Iran downs China in AFC Women’s Futsal Championship, moves to semi-finals
The Iran women's national futsal team has maintained its brilliant performance at the 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women's Futsal Championship, and got a berth in the semi-final round of the continental competitions.
The Iranian side clinched a 4-2 win over the Chinese outfit at the end of a high-quality match at Indoor Stadium Huamark in the Thai capital city of Bangkok on Wednesday, and advanced to the last four.
Iranian striker Fereshteh Karimi gave the reigning champion an early lead in the second minute, when she fired home from a free-kick.
China responded immediately and scored the equalizer a minute later as Tian Jiao directed a wonderful header at Iran’s goalpost, which kissed the net.
In the ninth minute, Zhang Yue beat an Iranian defender and fired the ball into the roof of the net to put China 2-1 ahead.
Chinese goalkeeper Zhang Meini denied Seyedeh Nastaran Moghimi’s dangerous chance in the 13th minute after making a tremendous save.
Three minutes later, Nasimeh Gholami’s shot found its way into the net from close range though.
Iran began the second period vigorously as in the first half; and Fatemeh Etedadi slammed home an emphatic goal in the 22nd minute.
China put up strong defense following the half-hour mark. Iranians, nevertheless, increased pressure in search of more goals.
Finally, Fahimeh Zarei teed up Shirbeigi to make it 4-2 with four minutes on the clock.
“Actually, it was a very hard match, but we knew it would be like this. We did a lot of work in our training session and I think we were ready for everything, but the second half performance was much better than the first half.
“Overall, I am satisfied that we beat China, and I have to say congratulations to China for their big improvement since last year. As I said yesterday, this is the new power in Asia,” Iran’s head coach Shahrzad Mozaffar said after the match.
The Iranian women's national futsal team is scheduled to take on Vietnam in a semi-final fixture on Thursday.
The 2018 AFC Women's Futsal Championship, which is the second edition of the international event, started on May 2 and will close on May 12, 2018.
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