AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup:
Iran must raise the bar in ultimate test against Japan
Iranian girls will be facing their toughest challenge yet at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup when they take on Japan in the semifinals in Hohhot, China, today.
Far from convincing in its past four games in the tournament, the two-time defending champion will have to rise to the occasion against the Japanese if it is to reach the final and, more importantly, secure a spot in the inaugural Women’s World Cup in the Philippines in November.
Having finished runner-up to Vietnam in Group B, Forouzan Soleimani’s team had to work hard for a 3-1 extra-time victory over the Chinese Taipei in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Maral Torkaman gave Iran a second-minute lead from the spot – after Mahtab Banaei was brought down in the area by goalkeeper Chu Fang-Yi – only to see her goal canceled out by Liu Wen Ling through a well-worked kick-in routine in the 18th minute.
Iranians dug deep for a second goal after the break but their efforts were either tame or off target as the contest went into extra time.
Just when the two sides looked to be heading for the shootout, Fereshteh Khosravi restored the lead for Team Melli, before goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavassoli’s smart long ball from her own area found the back of the opposition net seconds before the final buzzer as Iran set a last-four date with Japan – a repeat of the previous two final showdowns in the competition.
Just as the match seemed destined for a shootout, Iran struck twice in quick succession through Fereshteh Khosravi and goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavassoli – whose brilliant long-range lob from her own area found the back of an empty net seconds before the final buzzer – to set a last-four date with Japan, reigniting their rivalry after two consecutive final meetings in the tournament.
“We came here to win a third successive title, but we know it won’t be easy as all teams are out there to give their absolute best,” Soleimani said after the hard-fought victory.
When asked about her team’s chances against Japan, the Iranian head coach responded: “The winning team will be the one that is more clinical and mentally prepared and plays with greater determination. Our players will be highly motivated as they are determined to bring the joy to their fellow-Iranians.”
Iran, which was on a 10-game winning run in the Asian Cup prior to this year’s edition, got off to an unimpressive start to its campaign in Hohhot, edging out the Philippines 1-0 in their opener, before beating Hong Kong 3-1 to secure a knockout spot.
The embarrassment came in the final group game on Sunday, when Iran deliberately played for a goalless draw against Vietnam, tanking the match to finish second and avoid Japan until the final. The cynical approach, however, backfired as Japan’s shock defeat to Thailand later in the day forced the two powerhouses into the same half of the knockout bracket.
‘Experience’ driving Iran forward
While other contenders may possess more youth, Iran captain Tavassoli believes that their collective experience is an advantage in the Central Asians’ quest to collect a third straight title.
“I think that in a tough situation, that experience that we have keeps us going on and getting through,” Tavassoli told the AFC official website.
The Iranian skipper has also been around long enough to notice that the gap between the top teams and others in the region has narrowed considerably in recent years, pointing to how Chinese Taipei gave them a close run as well as the other results in Hohhot.
“Maybe for the two previous editions, it was just Japan and Thailand who were our main rivals. But now, all teams are very, very strong and have developed a lot. We know that we have a lot of hard work to do if we want to win,” added Tavassoli, who is one of five players alongside Fereshteh Karimi, Nasimeh Gholami, Sara Shirbeigi and Tahereh Mahdipour in the Iranian squad at Hohhot who have been involved in all three editions of the continental showpiece.
Tavassoli is looking forward to accomplishing another feat with the national team: qualifying for the Women’s World Cup later this year.
“I think it is a pity for our generation that the inaugural World Cup for women’s futsal has come only now, but I am happy that I still have a chance to participate in it, and I am also very happy for the future generations who can play regularly at the Asian Cup and also the World Cup,” she said.
When asked whether reaching the global stage would be a perfect career swansong, Tavassoli admitted that she would be lost without futsal and instead aims to play on for as long as she can.
“Actually, futsal is my life because when I was very young, maybe six or seven years old, I played football in the streets with my cousins and with boys, and from then on I fell in love with the ball,” she smiled. “And one of my concerns is how to say goodbye, because it’s my life; I cannot even imagine what would happen to me after that.”
“I hope that if we can win this Asian Cup and go to the World Cup, maybe the vision (future) will be different for women’s football and futsal in Iran, and we can improve more.”