FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup:
Iran undone by Italy, misses out on quarterfinals
Iran’s bid for a last-eight spot at the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup came to an end following a 3-1 defeat against Italy in Pasig, Philippines, on Saturday.
The setback saw Shahrzad Mozaffar’s side finish third in Group D with three points, while Brazil and Italy progressed to the knockout phase with nine and six points, respectively.
Needing a victory to advance to the quarterfinals, Iran almost took the lead in the opening minute after a well-worked buildup from a corner saw Nasimeh Gholami set up Mahtab Banaei, whose shot beat Italy keeper Ana Sestari but drifted just wide of the left post.
Italy responded seconds later, with Sara Boutimah drilling a low shot from just above the arc, forcing keeper Farzaneh Tavassoli into a save, before the European side began to pin Iran in its own half with a high press.
Iran, however, managed to break the deadlock in the 10th minute.
Tavassoli launched the ball from her own half and Fereshteh Khosravi’s dummy run inside the box blocked Sestari’s line of sight, allowing the ball to sneak through and roll over the line.
Italy came charging forward, with Tavassoli tipping away Gaby Vanelli’s effort in the 14th minute, before the Iran captain survived a scare in the 18th when Renata Adamatti’s shot took a slight deflection off her fingertips and struck the right post.
Adamatti then spotted Tavassoli off her line with a minute remaining in the half but failed to guide her lob from her own half into the unguarded net.
Italy almost drew level two minutes after the restart, Adamatti sidestepping Maral Torkaman at the top of the arc only to miss the left post with her effort, before Tavassoli’s timely block denied Vanelli a clear shot on goal.
The end-to-end action continued, with Iran nearly doubling its lead in the 26th minute when Sara Shirbeigi saw her attempt blocked by a charging Sestari. Moments later, Italy’s Adrieli Berte failed to convert Vanelli’s low cross as it flashed across the goalmouth.
The European side eventually turned the tables just before the half-hour mark, Berte lifting Adamatti’s pass over Tavassoli with a composed lob. Italy kept the momentum and took the lead seconds later from another fast break, with Bruna Borges tapping in Erika Ferrara’s pass.
Iran attempted to claw back into the game by switching to a power play, but the strategy backfired. Vanelli punished a loose pass in the 35th minute, sending a long-range effort into the empty net.
Iran had opened its campaign with a 4-1 loss to Brazil before bouncing back to beat Panama 6-2 on Wednesday, keeping its hopes alive heading into the final group match.