Tashkent: Iran stormed into the last eight of the AFC Futsal Championship 2010 as the defending champions defeated Australia 9-3 at Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Monday.
The nine-time winners proved they are capable of living up to their favourites tag despite the absence of futsal legend Vahid Shamsaee as they followed up their 19-2 Group B win over Tajikistan with a solid victory over the hard-working Australians and are top of the standings with six points ahead of their final group match against Kuwait on Tuesday.
Mohammadreza Zahmatkesh put Iran ahead in the fourth minute before Mohammad Taheri added a second for his side four minutes later.
Steven Fogarty immediately reduced the deficit before James Giovenali’s penalty kick levelled matters.
Mohammad Nasrabadi put Iran ahead two minutes later but once again Australia fought back through Petar Rogic’s 18th minute goal.
But Iran turned on the style after the break with further strikes from Taheri and Zahmatkesh while goals from Javad Asgharimoghaddam, Ali Rahnama and a Mostafa Tayyebi brace sealed the win.
Meanwhile, Alisher Ulmasov scored a hat-trick as Tajikistan edged Kuwait 4-3 earlier at Uzbekistan Sports Complex for their first victory at this year’s tournament.
After suffering a crushing 19-2 defeat to futsal powerhouse Iran on Sunday, Tajikistan made a good start to their second game in Group B as Ulmasov put them ahead in the third minute before Khurshed Makhmudov made it 2-0 three minutes later.
Ulmasov scored his second and Tajikistan’s third after 18 minutes but Aman Salem pulled one back for Kuwait three minutes into the second half before substitute Muhammad Hamzah made it 3-2 in the 25th minute.
Ulmasov gave Tajikistan some breathing space with a goal two minutes before time but Omar Al Jaser scored for Kuwait to set up a nervy finish.
Futsalroos vs Iran Asian Cup Group B
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