Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ho Chi Minh City: Iran underlined their AFC Futsal Championship title credentials as the 10-time champions recorded a 5-1 win over a hard-working Indonesia in Wednesday’s Group B opener at Ton Duc Thang University Stadium.
Hossein Tayebi opened the scoring for Iran, and despite Indonesia frustrating the 10-time champions as the half progressed, a quickfire double from Farhad Tavakoli and a strike from Asghar Hassanzadeh extended the advantage in the closing stages of the first half.
Iran did ease off in the second half allowing Andri Kustiawan to reduce the deficit for Indonesia, although there was little danger of the 2013 AFF Futsal Championship semi-finalists completing the surprise comeback and Vahid Shafiei’s late strike sealed the comfortable win for Jesus Candelas’ side.
“We knew we could win and we played at 110%,” said Iran coach Candelas.
“Indonesia worked very hard and made it difficult for us sometimes. It is good for Asian futsal that all the teams are improving.”
Iran pressed from the start and were unlucky not to break the deadlock inside the first five minutes as Alireza Vafaei hit the foot of the Indonesia post before Tayebi saw his effort hit the underside of the crossbar.
But the pressure finally paid off after eight minutes as Tayebi’s low angled strike found the bottom corner.
Yos Adi’s goal continued to remain under pressure, although Indonesia came close to a quick response two minutes later as Bambang Bayu rounded Iran goalkeeper Alireza Samimi only to see his effort cleared off the line.
But Iran’s second goal finally arrived just under three minutes before half-time as Tavakoli was on hand to turn home Vafaei’s pass from close range at the far post.
And Tavakoli added a third less than a minute later as he lifted the ball over Adi before Hassanzadeh extended the advantage two minutes before half-time by firing high into net from outside of the penalty area for his sides fourth.
Indonesia were able to regroup after the break and pulled a goal back midway through the second period as Kustiawan followed up to emphatically fire home after Samimi had saved with his legs.
But with just less than two minutes remaining, Indonesia were caught short at the back as a quick throw by goalkeeper Samimi sent Shafiei clear, and after rounding Adi, Iran’s fifth goal was finally added.
“I commend the players as they fought until the end. We kept playing until the end and fought until the end of the game,” said Indonesia coach Andri Irawan.
“This game was a positive for us as we gave Iran a good game. We only lost because of what happened at the end of the first half and the end of the second half.
"At the end of the first half the players lost concentration, while we also had some chances but we did not score.”