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FIFA - Using coats, jumpers, schoolbags as goalposts, children, the world over, will kick a ball around wherever they can get away with it. And it is the same story in Iran, where streets, alleys, even roofs are frequent foundations for talented little feet.
Many, of course, go on to play the 11-a-side game but a remarkable number have remained passionately true to "mini football". With futsal still in its infancy in many parts of Asia, Iran's Team Melli have won all six AFC continental titles since 1999. Now many are talking about moving on and extending that dominance to a global level.
A short history
It is not easy to pinpoint when futsal first took hold in this football-loving nation, but the Ramadan Cup, originally staged in 1980, created immense interest among supporters in Tehran and Isfahan. The indoor game soon became so popular that futsal associations in different provinces of the country sprang up like bamboo shoots and by 1987, futsal competitions were being played in almost all cities in Iran.
After the rapid development, especially in organisation, management and planning, the national futsal committee began working within the Iran Football Association from 1996, putting the sport almost on a par with that of its "bigger brother". Also that year, the first national futsal tournament was held with 16 teams representing their respective provinces or regions. The second year saw the number of teams grew to 20, the third year 24, and now the number of participants stands at 30.
Boosted by the huge interest, the first national league commenced in 1998 with 10 teams competing for the inaugural title. Today the well-organised league provides a huge pool of talent for the coach of the national futsal team, Team Melli, to pick from.
Master dribblers
Just as in Brazil where futsal provided the first introduction of the round ball for stars like Ronaldo, the game in Iran has also seen some great footballers pass through its ranks. These include Ali Karimi, who won the Golden Boot in this year's Asian Cup. The 26-year-old's sublime technique and skills are highly regarded with many tipping him to be the next big thing in Iran after football legend Ali Daei.
"I was playing in the streets with a tiny ball when I was a young child," says one of Asia's most lauded dribblers. "Playing with the ball like that gave me the vital start while my style developed later on.
"Some people talk about my football talents, but, for me, it was hard work and practice that helped me to develop into a professional footballer. Of course playing futsal also helped me."
Overwhelming continental dominance
It is small wonder that Iran dominated Asia when the AFC Futsal Championship started in 1999. They beat Korea Republic, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the finals of the first three tournaments and Team Melli successfully defended their position against a rapidly progressing Japan, who reached the final in the three most recent tournaments.
But now the Persian futsal kings are looking further afield. Under coach Mohammad-Hassan Ansarifard, the team are looking to improve on their brilliant performances in the FIFA Futsal World Championship Hong Kong 1992.
"We are hoping that we can do better this time," said Sadegh Deroudgar, Chairman of Iran's Futsal Committee. "We want to be among the top three at the world championship in Chinese Taipei. And in 2008 our target is to be world champions!" |
