AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup 2018

Nine berths at the third edition of the Continent’s premier women’s futsal national team tournament are on offer for the 18-strong cast, who have been split into four groups – two group of five teams and two groups of four.

As we gear up for the action to start, the-AFC.com revisits the 2018 edition that was held in Bangkok, Thailand where the number of teams nearly doubled to 15 with Iran defending their title.

Thirteen nations will be vying for nine spots, with Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan and China PR having already confirmed their respective tickets to the Finals.

As we gear up for the Qualifiers, the-AFC.com takes a look back to when it all started in 2015 when the inaugural championship took place in Nilai, Malaysia with Iran crowned as the champions.

The teams were drawn into four groups – three groups of five and one group of four – to contest in a centralised league format from January 11 to 19, 2025.

Nine teams – the top two of each group and the best third-placed team among all groups – will progress to the Finals and join hosts China PR and 2018’s top two, Islamic Republic of Iran and Japan, to continue their quest for glory.

Nineteen teams will be in the hat for the draw at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where they will discover their qualifying pathways for the third edition of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ that is slated for May 2025.

Saudi skipper Leen Mohammed opened the scoring in the first period but Iraq fought back for the win thanks to a brace from Shokhan Salihi and one goal each from Direen Mullabakar and Tbarek Al Ghazawi.

The AFC was one of the first Confederations to introduce an elite futsal competition in the women’s game and the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship in Kuwait will see the Islamic Republic of Iran chase their third consecutive title after the reigning queens of Asian futsal captured the 2018 crown in Thailand as well as the inaugural 2015 edition in Malaysia.

Iran confirmed their status as the queens of Asian futsal, producing a dazzling five-goal second half to retain the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship title with a 5-2 win over Japan in May this year.

The Iranian shot stopper was in dazzling form throughout the tournament and head coach Shahrzad Mozafar even reserved special acclaim for her consistency and outstanding goalkeeping.

“I think Farzaneh is the best goalkeeper in Asia. In 2015 and also at this tournament she has been brilliant, and she also deserves a trophy for her performances,” said Mozafar.

The Sharzad Mozafar-coached side, hailed the “Queens of Asia’ by the Iran media, was greeted by a crowd of supporters and officials as they continued to celebrate their second AFC Women’s Futsal Championship title won with a 5-2 win over Japan in Bangkok on Saturday.

The victorious players received bouquets of flowers and posed for pictures, with captain Nasimeh Gholami, Thailand 2018 Most Valuable Player Fershteh Karimi and Top scorer award-winner Sara Shirbeigi among the most sought-after individuals.

Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran President Mehdi Taj was also on hand to welcome home the players, including the outstanding goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavassoli, whose teammates have nicknamed her the ‘Asian Eagle.’

The victory has been excitedly celebrated in the country, with football’s all-time international goal-scoring record-holder Ali Daei and current Team Melli head coach Carlos Queiroz just some of the football luminaries to pass on messages of congratulations.

Burgeoning Bangladesh’s dream start

Arriving in Bangkok with easily the youngest and least experienced squad in the tournament, Bangladesh made a start to remember.

In what was, for the overwhelming majority of Golam Robbani Choton’s team, their first competitive futsal match, the South Asians shocked 2015 semi-finalists Malaysia when 16-year-old Masura Parvin slammed home the opening goal in just the third minute.

Their lead lasted less than a minute, and they went on to lose all three of their Group B matches, but Parvin ensured Bangladesh’s young charges returned home with a least one moment to cherish.

The Iranians were magnificent in the final. Scoring five goals in the second half to blow Japan away with a 5-2 win.

It was their second successive title, but the first under Mozafar’s tutelage, and she shared her joy at taking her country to the top of the Asian women’s futsal mountain.

“I’m so happy at this moment. Actually, I’ve been waiting for this moment for many years,” she said.

“This is the best moment of my life.”

After producing a string of impressive displays and winning every match on the road to the decider, Iran’s performance on the final stage was their best in the eyes of their mentor.

“I think that was the best performance of our team,” she declared.

“The final is always a really unique match. The players are stressed and you have to control it, so I want to thank all of my assistants and staff.”