5/27/2006
the-afc.com

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan: Fallen giants Iran managed to gain some consolation for Friday’s shock defeat to Japan in the semifinals by taming Kyrgyzstan 5-3 to finish third in the AFC Futsal Championship on Saturday.

All the goals were scored in the second period and the seven-time champions produced a late burst to keep at bay their Central Asian rivals at the Yunusabad Sports Complex.

Kyrgyzstan, who lost to Uzbekistan in the semifinals, held their own against their powerful rivals and no side was able to score in the opening half and 13 minutes into the second period.

Masoud Daneshwar (33, 33) fired Iran into the lead with a brace but Mohamed Hashemzadeh’s own goal a minute later pegged them back a bit. Kazem Tirabadi (35) made it 3-1 and Mohsen Zarei added another a minute later. Then Galimzan Uulu netted a double (36, 39) for a late Kyrgyz rally but Tirabadi’s second goal in the last minute killed the contest.