Iran-FESPIC Iran crushes China, waltzes into FESPIC football

IRNA - Iran's football side thrashed China 6-0 in pouring rain here Wednesday to squeeze into the final of the 9th Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC).

Under Seyed Ali Baka, the seven-strong Iranian squad struck three in each half with skipper Houshang Khosravani hitting a hat-trick, Abdolreza Karimi celebrating a double and Moslem Akbari netting once.

Iran will take on the winner of the Australia-Japan match on Thursday.

Asian powerhouse Iran has also had an impressive performance in different sporting fields, finding its way into the wheelchair basketball and sitting volleyball finals Wednesday.

Iran stunned Japan 61-48 to book a spot in the final of the FESPIC's basketball tournament.

The Iranian side managed to overcome Japan for the first time, setting up the final with Australia.

The Aussies stormed into the final at the expense of South Korea, celebrating a 64-50 victory.

Heading the Iranian team, Habib Khamjani told IRNA he was satisfied with the qualification for the final showdown.

He expressed hope the players can maintain their dazzling form after the prestigious event in Malaysia and will have a brilliant performance in the 2008 Paralympic Games in the Chinese capital Beijing.

In the sitting volleyball contests, Iran proved too strong for its rivals.

The powerful Iranian team breezed past Japan 3-0 to meet China in Thursday's final.

The formidable side that has not yet conceded a set punished Nippon 25-14, 25-8, 25-7.

In another semi-final, China disposed of South Korea with a 25-14, 25- 12, 25-15 romp.

Iran had already whitewashed South Korea, Myanmar, and Kazakhstan.