Tag: Vahid Shafiei

Confident Iran look to win 11th Asian title

Ho Chi Minh City: Iran have yet to reach their full potential at the AFC Futsal Championship according to coach Jesus Candelas ahead of Saturday’s final with Japan.

Iran swept aside Uzbekistan in the semi-final with hat-tricks from Hossein Tayebi and Vahid Shafiei setting the 10-time champions on their way to a comfortable 10-0 victory.

But despite Iran heading into Saturday’s meeting with the defending champions with a 100% record and boasting tournament leading scorer Tayebi, Candelas is remaining cautions ahead of his side’s 11th appearance in the final of the AFC Futsal Championship,

“I think that we have prepared ourselves for tomorrow,” said Candelas.

“Our preparation for this match has been in the way we have played during this tournament. We have not been at our best, but we are trying to be the best.

“At this point we cannot put any limitations on ourselves and tomorrow is the opportunity to ask for the players to give their all.”

Iran eased their way into the tournament with a comfortable 5-1 victory over Indonesia, which saw Farhad Tavakoli score a brace to set the 10-time champions on their way.

They followed that up with an impressive 12-0 victory over China before Iran claimed top spot in Group B with an 8-1 victory over Australia.

Iran met tournament hosts Vietnam in the quarter-finals and came out 15-4 winners with Tayebi, Asghar Hassanzadeh and Mohammad Shajari all netting a hat-trick before Thursday’s equally impressive win over Uzbekistan secured their place in the final.

“I was expecting to play Japan in the semi-finals, but because they lost in the group they changed the plan and we had to play in the semi-finals with Uzbekistan,” said Candelas, who has no injury worries ahead of the final.

“In matches like this there are usually many goals and you are always under pressure, so it depends on the players and the match.

“There are two factors that will determine the result; one is the goalkeepers and two is accurate shooting to define the result.”