Another excellent and convincing display by the gallant Persian team ensured the qualification of Team Melli futsal team to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2016. In the first quarter final match of the tournament , Team Melli beat Paraguay 4-3 in extra time , Ahmad Esmaeilpour  scoring in the dying seconds of the dramatic match in Coliseo Bicentenario in the city of Bucaramanga , Colombia.

In a thrilling game, F. MARTINEZ started the goals for Paraguay (1 – 0) , but Iran soon equalized by Ahmad Esmaeilpour  thunderous shout into the roof of the net (1 -1) . Paraguay took the lead again through G. Salas (2 -1) , Javid equalizing for Iran this time (2 – 2)

Team Melli took the lead through Mehdi Javid 3 -2 but a last-minute power game goal from R. VILLALBA ensured the match in regulation time in a draw 3-3.

The first period of extra time was tense and all the pressure was on Paraguay , but ended goal-less. In the second extra time period , the match was heading towards a Penalty Shoot out when Ahmad Esmaeilpour  blasted home after the Paraguay keeper parried a shot.

It was a grand finale for Team Melli which was the better team and technically superior. Iran missed many scoring chances including three shots hitting the post. Paraguay were content to defend and counter.

Team Melli will meet the winner of Russia-Spain match in the other quarter-final.