Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Chinese Taipei: The AFC Futsal Championship 2018, featuring the Continent's top 16 teams, kicks off in Chinese Taipei on February 1. the-AFC.com previews the four teams in Group C, which includes 11-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran.
ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN
Best finish: Champions - 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2016
How they qualified: Group B winners (South & Central Zones)
FIFA Ranking: 5
Defending champions Iran are the favourites to lift the title again in Chinese Taipei as Mohammad Nazemosharia’s side prepare to open their defence against Myanmar on Feb 2.
Team Melli, who won the Asian Indoors in Ashgabat last year, beating Uzbekistan 7-1 in the final, topped their group during qualification as they maintained a perfect record beating Afghanistan 8-2 and Tajikistan 12-2.
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/iraq_futsal_team.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/china_pr_futsal.html
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/myanmar_futsal_team_2.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Chinese Taipei: With the AFC Futsal Championship 2018 kicking off in Chinese Taipei on February 1, the-AFC.com previews the four teams in Group B which includes three-time champions Japan.
UZBEKISTAN
Appearances: 15
Best finish: Runners-up in 2001, 2006, 2010, 2016
How the qualified: Group A winners (South & Central Zone)
FIFA Ranking: 26
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Chinese Taipei: The AFC Futsal Championship 2018, featuring the Continent's top 16 nations, kicks off in Chinese Taipei on February 1. the-AFC.com previews the four teams in Group A.
CHINESE TAIPEI
Appearances: 11
Best finish: 2003 Quarter-finals
How the qualified: As Hosts
FIFA Ranking: 76
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Chinese Taipei: Asia's 16 best teams discovered their challengers following the draw in Taipei on Tuesday.
Reigning champions Islamic Republic of Iran, who have won the title 11 times, were drawn in Group C alongside Iraq, China PR and Myanmar.
Three time winners Japan will have Uzbekistan, Korea Republic and Tajikistan for company in Group B. Japan last won the tournament with back-to-back titles in 2012-2014 with their first being in 2006.
ASEAN powerhouse Thailand will face off against Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon and Jordan in Group D.
Thailand, who recently won the AFF Futsal Championship 2017, were runners-up in 2008 and 2012.
Vietnam, who finished fourth in Uzbekistan 2016, will face off against hosts Chinese Taipei, Malaysia and Bahrain in Group A.
The top two teams in each group will advance to the quarter-finals. The first matches will be played on February 1, 2018, with the final set for February 11.