AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup - Latest News

The AFC was one of the first Confederations to introduce an elite futsal competition in the women’s game and the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship in Kuwait will see the Islamic Republic of Iran chase their third consecutive title after the reigning queens of Asian futsal captured the 2018 crown in Thailand as well as the inaugural 2015 edition in Malaysia.

Iran confirmed their status as the queens of Asian futsal, producing a dazzling five-goal second half to retain the AFC Women’s Futsal Championship title with a 5-2 win over Japan in May this year.

The Iranian shot stopper was in dazzling form throughout the tournament and head coach Shahrzad Mozafar even reserved special acclaim for her consistency and outstanding goalkeeping.

“I think Farzaneh is the best goalkeeper in Asia. In 2015 and also at this tournament she has been brilliant, and she also deserves a trophy for her performances,” said Mozafar.

The Sharzad Mozafar-coached side, hailed the “Queens of Asia’ by the Iran media, was greeted by a crowd of supporters and officials as they continued to celebrate their second AFC Women’s Futsal Championship title won with a 5-2 win over Japan in Bangkok on Saturday.

The victorious players received bouquets of flowers and posed for pictures, with captain Nasimeh Gholami, Thailand 2018 Most Valuable Player Fershteh Karimi and Top scorer award-winner Sara Shirbeigi among the most sought-after individuals.

Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran President Mehdi Taj was also on hand to welcome home the players, including the outstanding goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavassoli, whose teammates have nicknamed her the ‘Asian Eagle.’

The victory has been excitedly celebrated in the country, with football’s all-time international goal-scoring record-holder Ali Daei and current Team Melli head coach Carlos Queiroz just some of the football luminaries to pass on messages of congratulations.

Burgeoning Bangladesh’s dream start

Arriving in Bangkok with easily the youngest and least experienced squad in the tournament, Bangladesh made a start to remember.

In what was, for the overwhelming majority of Golam Robbani Choton’s team, their first competitive futsal match, the South Asians shocked 2015 semi-finalists Malaysia when 16-year-old Masura Parvin slammed home the opening goal in just the third minute.

Their lead lasted less than a minute, and they went on to lose all three of their Group B matches, but Parvin ensured Bangladesh’s young charges returned home with a least one moment to cherish.

The Iranians were magnificent in the final. Scoring five goals in the second half to blow Japan away with a 5-2 win.

It was their second successive title, but the first under Mozafar’s tutelage, and she shared her joy at taking her country to the top of the Asian women’s futsal mountain.

“I’m so happy at this moment. Actually, I’ve been waiting for this moment for many years,” she said.

“This is the best moment of my life.”

After producing a string of impressive displays and winning every match on the road to the decider, Iran’s performance on the final stage was their best in the eyes of their mentor.

“I think that was the best performance of our team,” she declared.

“The final is always a really unique match. The players are stressed and you have to control it, so I want to thank all of my assistants and staff.”

The 29-year-old delivered what could only be described as the perfect tournament in Bangkok, scoring five goals and, remarkably, winning player of the match honours in all five of Iran’s matches.

The scorer of the tournament-deciding goal in Malaysia three years ago, Karimi also left her mark on this year’s decider, playing a major role in Misato’s Komura’s 30th minute own goal, before setting up Sara Shirbeigi to make it 3-0 moments later.

Speaking moments after Iran’s sensational 5-2 win, Karimi spoke of the significance of lifting the trophy for a second time.

A hat-trick to Sara Shirbeigi and further goals from veteran Fahimeh Zarei and an own goal by Misato Komura sealed a outstanding victory for Sharhzad Mozafar’s side, who also won the inaugural title in Malaysia three years ago.

Japan had the better of goalless first half but failed to capitalise, before Iran produced a blistering scoring burst, that included three goals in two second-half minutes, to take the game away from Kenichiro Kogure’s side.

Masami Kato had two shots in the first six minutes, before Mika Eguchi forced Iranian goalkeeper Farzaneh Tavasoli into an excellent save six minutes later, and volleyed over the crossbar after tricking her way into space not long after.

Thailand goalkeeper Pannipa Kamolrat was the eventual hero, saving Nguyen Thi Hue’s effort in the shootout, before Hataichanok Tappakun sealed victory with the decisive spot kick.

The result means Thailand retains the top three finishing position they achieved in the 2015 edition of the tournament in Malaysia.

In an opening period of few clear chances, Thailand largely controlled possession, but it took until the eighth minute for golden boot hopeful Sasicha Phothiwong to test goalkeeper Ngo Nguyen Thuy Linh.

Jenjira Bubpha dispossessed Bui Thi Trang to force the shot-stopper into another save four minutes later, but the hosts came the closest to breaking the first half deadlock when Bien Thi Hang intervened to clear the ball with Sasicha seemingly destined to steer the ball into the gaping net.

After a scoreless opening period, the breakthrough nearly came just 11 seconds after half-time, but Jenjira missed after being put through on goal by Sasicha.

Vietnam responded by creating a wonderful chance for Trinh Nguyen Thanh Hang five minutes later only for Pannipa to produce an important one-on-one save before her teammates arrive to help scramble the ball clear.

Amishiro was part of the squad that fell at the final hurdle in Malaysia, where Fereshteh Karimi’s eight-minute goal made Iran the first AFC women’s futsal champions.

Now 26, the SWH Futsal Club player has emerged as one of the stars of the tournament in Japan’s surge to the final, but she hasn’t forgotten how their last continental campaign ended.

“I want to win and become a champion in the final,” she declared

“In the previous tournament (in 2015) we lost in the final against Iran, so this time we want to take revenge in the game on Saturday.”