AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup:
Iran shares the spoils with Vietnam, lands Chinese Taipei in last eight
Iran and Vietnam played to a goalless draw on the final day of the group phase at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup in Hohhot, China.
The stalemate saw the two sides finish their group campaign with seven points, with Iran finishing runner-up to Vietnam in the table on goal difference.
Next for Iran, which had beaten Philippines (1-0) and Hong Kong (3-1) earlier in Hohhot, is a quarterfinal game against the Chinese Taipei, which finished second to the host in Group A.
The result also ended Iran’s remarkable winning streak in the tournament, after the two-time champion had won every one of its 12 games over three editions.
Iran saw plenty of the ball in the first half but never really troubled the opponent, apart from a Sara Shirbeigi effort that was well saved by Tran Thi Hai Yen.
Iran took its foot off the pedal after the break, but Vietnam could not take advantage.
Tran Thi Thu Xuan came close with a strike from an impossible angle, which was deflected away by Iranian keeper Farzaneh Tavasoli. Then, with two minutes left, Bui Thi Trang dragged a low shot wide of the left post.