Iran teach new boys futsal master class

AFC - THE AFC Futsal Championship kicked off yesterday (Sunday) with Iran (the holders pictured in white) setting out their stall in spectacular fashion.

In the indoor arena at Tehran's Azadi Stadium, the four-time winners of this event delivered an emphatic warning to would-be contenders for their continental futsal crown with an emphatic 14-2 drubbing of Lebanon, who are making their debut in the tournament.

With Iran by far Asia’s best futsal nation, Sunday’s contest was never likely to have been anything other than one-sided, and so it proved, although Lebanon should take some credit for getting on the scoresheet.

Iran’s next outing is on Thursday, when they play Kyrgyzstan. Lebanon, meanwhile, must regroup in time for their game with China on Wednesday.

In Sunday’s other game of what is the fifth AFC Futsal Championship, Korea Republic beat Hong Kong 5-2 in Group B.

In today’s game’s, Japan should have few problems overcoming Palestine, Kuwait are expected to beat Macao, Thailand should prevail against Iraq, Uzbekistan should have the better of Turkmenistan and Korea Republic and Chinese Taipei should post wins against Indonesia and Hong Kong respectively.

The four group winners and runners-up progress to the quarter-finals on August 3, with the final taking place on August 5.