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Iran aiming high in Futsal World Cup after Asian glory
Mahdi Karimi, Saeid Ahmad-Abbasi, Ali-Asghar Hassanzadeh, and goalkeeper Baqer Mohammadi were on the scoresheet as Vahid Shamsaei’s men defeated host Thailand 4-1 for a record-extending 13th Asian crown in late April.
The latest success saw Iran tally 1469,33 points to stand fourth in the maiden FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking last Monday – following Brazil (1568,41), Portugal (1527,61), and Spain (1514,42).
Shamsaei, whose debut tournament on Iran bench finished with a disappointing defeat against Japan in the Asian Cup final in 2022, named a proper mixture of youth and experience for this year’s tournament.
Iran still had to work hard to clinch the title in arguably most closely-contested edition of the Asian flagship international event, which saw defending champion Japan crash out in the group stage, while Shamsaei’s side was given scares by Bahrain – in the group phase – and last-four opponent Uzbekistan.
Shamsaei will hope the integral trio of Hossein Tayyebi, who missed the Asian Cup with injury, reigning Asian Player of the Year Salar Aqapour, and Moslem Oladqobad – all playing for newly-crowned UEFA Champions League champion Mallorca Palma – as well as veteran skipper Hassanzadeh, prolific pivot Ahmad-Abbasi – top scorer in Thailand – and Mohammadi will be in their finest form when the world showpiece gets underway in four months.
Shamsaei’s men will learn about its World Cup opponents when the final draw for the 24-team tournament takes place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on May 26.
The good news for Shamsaei is that the Asian powerhouse will avoid Brazil, Spain, reigning world champion Portugal, 2021 runner-up Argentina, and the host country in the group stage as all six teams are in Pot 1 of the draw.
Iran enjoyed a best World Cup finish in Colombia eight years ago, when former head coach Mohammad Nazemasharieh led his side to a memorable last-16 victory over five-time champion Brazil before a shootout triumph against Portugal in the third-place matchup.