Islamic Solidarity Games:
Iran coach Sahmsaei laments refereeing decisions after Morocco draw
Iran head coach Vahid Shamsaei hit out at the referee’s controversial decisions after his team played to a 2-2 draw against Morocco in Group B of futsal event at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday.
In a rematch of last year’s World Cup last-16 clash, which Morocco won 4-3, Mahdi Karimi finished off a well-worked counterattack to put Iran ahead with seven minutes remaining in the first half, only to see his goal canceled out by Bilal Bakkali two minutes later.
Karimi restored Iran’s lead four minutes into the second half, smashing the rebound into the roof of the net after Saeid Ahmadabbasi’s free kick had been kept out by Moroccan goalkeeper Youssef Bensellam.
Morocco pushed hard for a second equalizer and its power play paid off in the closing stages as Soufian Charraoui brought the African champion level in the 39th minute.
“It was a beautiful, high-quality game of futsal between two top-tier teams in world. We should have been more focused in the final minute, though I’m still really pleased with my players,” Shamsaei said after the game.
“Morocco is an exceptional team with quality players and a top-notch coach. Just look at the list of the teams they have played over the past year – Argentina, Portugal, Spain – all among the best in the world. I really enjoyed watching their performance in the victory over Spain a couple of weeks ago.
“All of their players compete in top futsal leagues abroad, but we really made it tough for them today. Their head coach, Dguig Hicham, even admitted that after the game and wall full of praise for the Iranian team.
“I think the referee lacked the required quality to officiate a match of this caliber,” said the Iranian futsal great, adding, “The ball clearly struck a Moroccan player’s hand in the buildup to their second equalizer and the referee saw it. But that’s part of the game – we’ll put today’s result behind us and keep fighting in the next two matches.”
Shamsaei and his team will face Afghanistan today, followed by a game against Tajikistan on Saturday.
Afghanistan defeated Tajikistan 9-5 earlier on Tuesday to sit atop the Group B table.
“Afghanistan is a decent side. Their Iranian head coach [Majid Mortezaei] is a dear friend of mine and many of their players compete in the Iranian league. It’s definitely going to be a tough game against them, who are one of our main rivals at the Asian Cup,” Shamsaei said of Iran’s next opponent.
Meanwhile, Uzbekistan came from behind to beat Saudi Arabia 5-2 and move atop the Group A standings on goal difference, while Azerbaijan edged Libya 5-4.
The top two in each group will progress to the semifinals with the gold-medal match set to be staged on Tuesday.