FUTSAL WORLD: AFC CHAMPIONS 2015: Soleimani sees brighter future for Iranian women's futsal

Nilai: Coach Forouzan Soleimani believes Iran’s capture of the inaugural edition of the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship on Saturday will pave the way for an ever brighter future for women’s futsal game in the Central Asian nation.

Iran’s lone goal in the win against Japan, scored as early as the eighth minute by the tournament’s eventual MVP Fereshteh Karimi (pictured), was enough to hand Soleimani’s side the title, a reversal of fortune for the Iranians who lost to the Japanese in extra time at the Asian Indoor Games Incheon 2013.

Final match report: Iran 1-0 Japan

“My players played very well and our tactics worked, so, I’d like to congratulate my players for the determination they put in the game," declared Soleimani

“But then it was an extremely difficult match as Japan were the favourites and had very good discipline, tactics and techniques. They really made the game tough for us, but we managed to overcome them.

“We had done a lot in preparation for this game and our patience and perseverance had paid off with this championship. I believe the future of Iranian women’s futsal is even brighter now and we are looking forward to participating in more international championships in the future.”

Japan fought back furiously, especially in the second half, but Iran’s defence battled valiantly with goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavasoli proving instrumental in stopping Arihara Masaaki’s charges.

“The game against Iran was really challenging but my team played well. After the Iranian goal, our players were confused for a while but they bounced back in spirit and then stuck to the game plan," said Masaaki.

“Especially tough was the second half where I think we made a lot more attempts than the Iranians at goal but their defence was just too thick to penetrate. We just needed one or two players in front of goal to beat the Iran keeper but this was hard to come by.”

/ Sep 25 2015 /

Nilai: Coach Farouzan Soleimani said Iran’s preparation for a power playing opponent in the dying minutes of a game paid off during their match against Thailand who they beat 1-0 to seal a spot in the final of the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship on Friday.

The thrilling game was goalless at the break before substitute Zohreh Meisami proved the difference for Iran as she scored her first goal of the campaign eight minutes from time.

But things became tenser for the Iranians as Thailand dangerously shifted into power play mode towards the end of the game with substitute goalkeeper Pannipa Kamolrat getting involved in attacking moves that saw the Thais hit the post twice in a matter of seconds late on.

But Asian Indoor Games Incheon 2013 silver medallists Iran hung on to their slender 1-0 lead to book their passage to Saturday’s final against Japan, who thrashed hosts Malaysia 8-1 in the night’s other semi-final.

Semi-final match report: Iran 1-0 Thailand

“We had prepared heavily against last minute power play, such as that displayed in our final outing against eventual gold medallists Japan at Incheon 2013,” said Soleimani (pictured, centre).

“We have seen Japan’s excellent power play and also we have watched the videos of Thailand’s last minute attempt to turn the game round in previous matches, so we knew what was coming that could have snatched our slender lead away.

“I have to congratulate my players for executing this prepared contingency well. And in the final tomorrow, we have to be even more careful as we have two injured players tonight and a yellow carded player.”

Thailand boss Rakphol Sainetngam lamented their exit from semi-finals of the inaugural continental competition, a repeat of the fate dealt them at Incheon 2013 where they bowed down to Japan at the same stage.

“Losing again in the semi-finals is a sorry experience for us as we don’t have a league for women’s futsal in Thailand, which I hope our association will do something about,” said Sainetngam.

“We will definitely prepare for future competitions and I hope Thailand will be able to progress further from the semi-finals next time. But I have to thank my players for showing true grit to the end. They played hard but luck was not on our side and we’ll be better in the future.”

/ Sep 25 2015 /

Nilai: Iran advanced to the final of the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship after beating Thailand 1-0 in their semi-final clash at Nilai Indoor Stadium, Malaysia, on Friday.

Substitute Zohreh Meisami proved the difference for Iran as she scored her first goal of the campaign in the second half following a thrilling first period.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
Thailand striker Sasicha Phothiwong spurned the first real opportunity of the game in the opening minute when she went one on one with Iran goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavasoli but her weak attempt was easily tapped away by the diving Tavasoli.
The action quickly shifted to the Thailand half when forward Sepideh Zarrinrad was fouled in the third minute, her subsequent free-kick, however, rattled the woodwork.
A minute later, Iran’s Fereshteh Karimi hit the bar with a free-kick, before Thailand’s Prapasporn Sriroj tried an audacious lob from distance that was smartly stopped by the busy Tavasoli.
After a goalless first half, both sides came out after the break desperate to find the breakthrough, but Thailand seemed to be faltering with their final passes as Iran grew in confidence.
The key moment came in the 32nd minute when Fahimah Zarei’s neat pass connected perfectly with Meisami who fired home with Thailand keeper Pannipa Kamolrat rooted to the spot.
Meisami then had a chance to double her tally, but the 27-year-old forward sent the ball high over the bar when well placed.
It mattered little in the end though, as Iran - despite having to withstand some intense late pressure during which the Thais hit the post twice in a matter of seconds - duly hung on to seal their passage through to Saturday's final against Japan who beat Malaysia 8-1 in the day's later game

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