5/21/2006
the-afc

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan: Iran embarked on their campaign for a record eighth consecutive AFC Futsal Championship title with a predictable 14-0 demolition of Turkmenistan in Group D on Sunday at the Yunusabad Sports Complex here.

For Team Melli, veterans Vahid Shamsaee (five goals on 6, 16, 24, 33, 34 minutes) and Mohamed Hashemzadeh (three goals on 5, 22 and 38 minutes) were the destroyers-in-chief as the seven-time reigning champions proved superior in every department of the game over their overawed Central Asian rivals.

While Shamsaee and Hashemzadeh accounted for eight goals between themselves, Majid Latifi (36 and 37) and Kazem Tirabadi (14 and 19) netted a brace, and Ali Navligh (32) and Maged Raise (13) added one each.

Turkmenistan held on for the first five minutes before Hashemzadeh’s goal opened the floodgates. The traffic was one-way for the rest of the match as Iran ran over their opponents mercilessly in the hot conditions.

Iran coach Jurandir Dutra pointed out the difference from the Team Melli of previous editions. “As you know, our team has been rejuvenated with the inclusion of young players,” said Dutra. “Now our average age is 24 years but that does not mean our aim of winning the title again has changed or is in doubt.”

”The AFC Futsal Championship is our stepping stone to the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Championship.”

Turkmenistan coach Eldar Ramazanov was understandably upset. “We played as well as we could. The difference is that Turkmenistan doesn’t have professional futsal players. Nevertheless, we will try to play our remaining matches better".

Also off to a winning start in the same group were Thailand, who defeated fellow ASEAN rivals Indonesia 8-4.

Thailand were made to work hard by the Indonesians as the two renewed their ASEAN rivalry on the continental level. The Indonesians kept themselves in with a chance with some inspired goalscoring throughout the match and Thailand struggled to tame them.

Pattaya Piemkum opened the scoring in the very first minute for the Thais and added three more on 3, 13 and 39 minutes. Peimkum’s teammates Joe Nueangkord, who scored twice (5 and 17), Prasert Innui (6) and Sermphan Khumthinkaew (23) also entered the scoresheet.

The Indonesian goals were fired by Andri Irawan (5), Deny Handoyo (19), Sayan Karmadi (27) and Jaelani Ladjanabi (35).

Thailand’s Brazilian coach Glausio was scathing about his players’ opening performance. “We played badly and made too many mistakes. Our key players were injured but that is no excuse. We should forget this match as soon as possible and get on.”

Iran next play Indonesia and Thailand go up against Turkmenistan tomorrow.