Jakarta: Salar Aghapour is grateful for the trust placed in him by head coach Vahid Shamsaee after the 26-year-old played a starring role in Iran’s 4-1 win over Malaysia in their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026™ Group D opener on Wednesday.
The Iran squad is a mix of senior and junior players, with Shamsaae having admitted prior to the tournament that he’s looking to refresh the squad with Aghapour one of those in the latter camp.

Still only 26, Aghapour is living his dream of playing for the national team and more importantly, getting to work with one of game’s most notable names.

“We are a family, we are all working together and playing for each other,” said Aghapour. “That comes from the coaching staff, Vahid Shamsaee is one of the best as the head coach.
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“When he gives me a chance to play, I’m trying to do my best, playing with others and others with me. When you see me play more, it’s not about me but about the trust that my coaches and teammates have in me.

“Shamsaee is one of the real legends of the game – not only in Iran but also the world – and I will do my best to learn everything I can from him.”
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Iran will next take on Saudi Arabia on Friday with Aghapour stressing the defending champions can only get better once they have adapted to the surface and conditions at Jakarta International Velodrome.

“We could have shown better quality but this is our first game in a new stadium and I believe that game by game, we will get better as we get used to the floor. We will be able to show way better quality.”