Iran's national futsal team has advanced to the semifinals of the 2012 AFC Futsal Championship after beating Uzbekistan.
Iran's national futsal team has advanced to the semifinals of the 2012 AFC Futsal Championship after beating Uzbekistan.
Iranian team found its way to the semifinals after trashing Uzbekistan 6-3 at Dubai’s Al-Shabab stadium on Tuesday.
Hamid Ahmadi scored a brace for Iran in the 4th and 39th minutes. Ahmad Esmaeilpour (7), Ali-Asghar Hassanzadeh (19), Mohammad Taheri (23) and Hossein Tayebi (32) scored for Iran, the 10-time Asian champions.
Uzbekistan’s Shuhrat Tojiboev struck twice in the 22nd and 28th minutes and Dilshod Irsaliev scored Uzbeks'' final goal in the 39th minute.
Iran’s coach Ali Sane’I said: “It was a good competitive match but we were on our guard."
“We had some anxious moment but still we controlled the match, scored a couple of early goals and never let Uzbekistan to bounce back,” he added.
Iran is expected to face Thailand in the semi-final round in Dubai’s Al Wasl Stadium.
Iran has earlier defeated South Korea, Qatar and Australia in the group stage.