Iran to host Asian futsal tournament

AFC - IRAN will host this year’s AFC Futsal Championship, the AFC have announced.

The tournament was scheduled to take place between July 27 – August 5 in Japan but concerns over Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) forced the Japan Football Association to ask the game’s governing body in Asia to find another host.

Iran, the four-time Asian futsal champions, have stepped into the breach at short notice, winning the gratitude of AFC General Secretary, Dato’ Peter Velappan.

"We are very pleased that Iran has stepped in to host this premier Asian futsal event and we are confident that they will do an excellent job with only two months to go to complete their preparations."

This year’s tournament, which will be played at the same time as originally scheduled, sees its biggest number of entries yet: 18. Teams will be split into four groups, with the top two teams progressing to the knock-out quarter-finals.

Iran, especially with home advantage, are expected to progress, having been drawn against China, Kyrgzstan and debutante Lebanon in Group C.