Iran’s Ahmadabbasi wary of ‘unique challenge’ at Futsal Asian Cup
Saeid Ahmadabbasi says the upcoming AFC Futsal Asian Cup in Jakarta, Indonesia, will not be an easy ride for Iran, with the veteran pivot noting that every edition brings “its own challenges, pressures and motivations.”
Iran opens its bid for a record-extending 14th title against Malaysia in Group D on Jan. 28.
Vahid Shamsaei’s team faces Saudi Arabia on Jan. 30 before closing the group stage against Afghanistan two days later at the Jakarta International Velodrome. The top two teams from each group advance to the quarterfinals.
Iran has long dominated Asia’s premier futsal tournament, losing just four of 105 matches across 17 editions. Two of those defeats came in finals against Japan, the only other nation to lift the title.
Fresh off a gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games in November, capped by a 5-0 win over Morocco in the final, Iran again enters as the favorite to lift the trophy at the Indonesia Arena on Feb. 7.
Still, with futsal developing rapidly across the continent, Shamsaei’s side is likely to face stiff tests from emerging teams.
Afghanistan is among the teams to watch after an impressive 2024 debut, finishing fifth under Iranian coach Majid Mortezaei to secure a first World Cup berth later that year in Uzbekistan.
Iran and Afghanistan will meet at a major tournament for the third time in less than two years. Iran won 3-1 at the 2024 Asian Cup but drew 2-2 at the Islamic Solidarity Games.
Saudi Arabia exited in the group stage of the previous edition but showed progress at the Islamic Solidarity Games at home, pushing African champion Morocco in the semifinals before losing 6-3 after extra time.
“This tournament never becomes repetitive. Every edition has its own challenges, pressures and motivations. Going back onto the court to fight for this trophy again is exciting for all of us,” Ahmadabbasi, who made a massive contribution to Iran’s title-winning campaign in 2024, told the official website of the Iranian Football Federation.
“I have good memories of the last tournament. I was named best player and top scorer, but those honors are not individual. We were a team, and those successes came from collective work. Without the team, these titles mean nothing,” said the 33-year-old.
Despite the challenge ahead, Ahmadabbasi said the squad’s depth and quality could prove decisive.
“We have a complete team. Salar Aghapour, Moslem Oladghobad and I have all been named Asian Futsal Player of the Year. Our players have strong individual and international records, and we have Vahid Shamsaei as coach, whose resume speaks for itself,” he said.