Iran, Shamsaei out to prove doubters wrong in Futsal World Cup
By Amirhadi Arsalanpour
Staff writer
As Iran kicks off its Group F campaign against Venezuela at the Futsal World Cup on Monday, the familiar homegrown vs. foreign coach debate is likely to reignite among fans and pundits in the country.
While many insist the knowledge and acumen of a high-profile international coach is essential to success in major tournaments, others argue that a local coach, with a better understanding of the Iranian culture and emotional needs, is better suited to lead a compatriot.
For all his glorious years as a scoring machine for the national team, Iranian head coach Vahid Shamsaei has had his own critics to deal with since taking charge of the bench two years ago and a record-extending 13th Asian Cup crown, coupled with some shaky performances against minnow oppositions in Bahrain and Uzbekistan, back in April did little to consolidate him as the right man for the job.
That is why Shamsaei will be eager for a statement victory against the South American opponent, which is making only a second World Cup appearance but managed to reach the last 16 in the 2021 edition.
With the group also featuring Guatemala and France, Iran could fancy a comfortable progress to the last 16.
Beaten by Iran in all six previous meetings between the two sides, Guatemala has failed to go beyond the group stage in five attempts, with France, 56th in the FIFA ranking, securing a maiden place in the finals courtesy of an elite-round group win in the European qualifiers.
The story of the knockout stage, however, will be in stark contrast with the group phase as a top-spot finish in the group could place Shamsaei’s men in the same half of the draw with five-time champion Brazil, world No. 2 Spain, or the 2021 semifinalist Kazakhstan.
A best World Cup result for Iran came in 2016, when the Asian powerhouse, steered by a domestic coach in Mohammad Nazemasharieh, defeated Portugal in the shootout to finish third, and Shamsaei knows any outcome other than emulating the heroics of eight years ago could well be deemed as a failure.
The Iranian will definitely need to have prolific Hossein Tayyebi, Saeid Ahmadabbasi – top scorer in April’s Asian Cup – as well as reigning Asian player of the year Moslem Oladqobad in their best form if the country is to go for yet another successful run in the World Cup.