Futsalplanet - Former head coach of Iran, Hossein Shams, is helping with the organisation of the Mini Club World Cup in Kuwait in his role on the Technical Committee. FutsalPlanet could not miss this opportunity to chat with the legendary coach to hear his expert views on the tournament so far.

Shams was head coach of Iran for a short spell between 1998 and 2000 where he won two AFC Asian Championships. After Iran were defeated for the first time in the AFC Futsal Championship in 2006 the Iranian Federation turned to Shams to restore them to winning ways.

Previously Iran’s strategy had been to rely on their two world class talents, Vahid Shamsaee and Reza Heidarian, to bring them success but with game of futsal evolving rapidly this was no longer sufficient. Under Shams’ guidance he created a team where the responsibility was shared among the squad and in return he got the most out of their star pivot, Shamsaee.

This change brought with it great success for the country. Within a year he had regained the AFC Futsal Championship from the 2006 Champions, Japan. He would go on to achieve this title on two more occasions, in 2008 and 2010. They added two Asian Indoor Games titles to return Iran as the dominant force of Asian futsal.

However Shams’ ambitions for Iran went much further than Asia and he began an assault on becoming one of the top futsal nations in the world. His first opportunity was the 2007 Grand Prix in Brazil, a tournament where most of the world’s best countries participate. They finished runners up to the hosts at their first attempt. In the 2009 edition they again lost to Brazil in the final. In 2010 they would again be defeated by the winning nation, this time a defeat at the semi-final stage to Spain.

It was the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil that would awaken the world to the progress of Iran under the management of Shams. In the first game a 3-3 draw with reigning champions Spain, with Iran leading 3-0 at half time, demonstrated how far they had came. In the 2nd round they lost 1-0 to Brazil, defeated Ukraine 5-4 and drew with Italy 5-5. Unfortunately they missed out on the semi-finals by a single goal on goal difference as Italy and Brazil progressed.

However their performances had shown Shams' objective had been achieved and that Iran was now to be considered one of the world’s most powerful nations. This was further proven when they added a Confederations Cup title in 2009.

After 5 years in charge he left as head of the Iranian team in 2011 and his importance to Iran’s success was highlighted when they failed to win the AFC Futsal Championship for only the second time the following year, losing to Thailand in the semi-final. This under performance continued into the 2012 World Cup after a shock loss to Colombia meant they exited the competition at the last 16 stage.

His time with Iran cemented his reputation as one of the world’s most respected coaches, winning the FutsalPlanet Best National Coach of the Year Award in 2009 and receiving AFC’s Gold Service Award in 2010. Below you can find out what his views are on the tournament in Kuwait, the Iranian national team and his future.

What do you think of the level of the tournament so far?

For the first edition I think it is very good and a very high level because all the teams have brought foreign players. For example, the two teams from Kuwait have brought in many players, one brought 12 from Portugal and the other 8 from Brazil so I think it is a good level.

Which is the best team you have seen?

I think Santiago Futsal from Spain, until this moment, are very strong and will reach the final.

Is there any player that has particularly impressed you?

Yes number 14 (Alan Brandi) from Santiago Futsal. I think he is the best player in the tournament.

Which game has been the most entertaining so far?

I have found two or three games very interesting. Dabiri Tabriz from Iran v Al-Saad of Qatar (4-4), Chonburi from Thailand v Alumnus from Croatia (2-2) and Santiago from Spain v Kazma from Kuwait (1-0). I think these three games were a high level and better than the others matches so far.

Who are your favourites to win the tournament?

Santiago Futsal and, maybe, Cardinal from Ukraine or Dabiri from Iran or Al Saad from Qatar but I am 100% sure that Santiago will play the final.

The teams from the Arab region haven’t done so well until now. Why do you think this is?

I think this is because futsal is a new sport in the Arab world. I think they only started playing 5 or 6 years ago. I hope that for the next edition they will improve and be very strong.

What did you do with Iran that the Arab countries could implement to improve their level?

I think educational coaching courses are very important for this region. A FIFA or AFC course. The coaches from this area must learn everything about futsal. For national teams there are many tournaments but not so many for clubs. This tournament is very good for clubs to compete in and if it continues in the future with FIFA and AFC support I think this tournament could be the first world club championship for clubs, formed in Kuwait.

On another subject how is the national team in Iran now?

Now in Iran there is a revolution in futsal with new players playing for the national team. I think the head coach of Iran, Jesus Candelas (from Spain), must be given time. If he remains in this position for 3 years maybe Iran will return to 4th position in the unofficial rankings.

Will you return to coaching soon and is this something you would like to do?

Yes I would like to but I am working in a different area now, managing and organising this tournament and in Iran I manage futsal for the Ministry of Education. I am head of their futsal committee. I try to improve the Iranian players at the youth level and hopefully they go to the national team and help them improve.