Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kuala Lumpur: Futsal fans of Iran, Japan and Thailand will be hoping their nation caps an impressive year by claiming the coveted AFC Futsal Team of the Year prize at Thursday's AFC Annual Awards.
In a year which has seen the indoor game in Asia continue its meteoric rise, the top three sides at the 2012 AFC Futsal Championship headline the trio of contenders following an epic tournament in the UAE that had skill, suspense and surprises in equal measure.
Japan won the AFC Futsal Championship for a second time with a 6-1 win over surprise package Thailand as the East Asians battled their way to glory with a 100% record.
Thailand, who would go on to host the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup, entertained the crowds with their cavalier attacking approach which paid dividends when they created one of the biggest shocks in the history of the AFC Futsal Championship when they defeated ten-time champions Iran 5-4 in a thrilling semi-final.
It was business as usual for the imperious Iranians as they finished third with a 4-0 win over Australia, and having racked up an incredible 37 goals in their four matches prior to their shock loss to Thailand Ali Sanei's side showed why they remain the continent's undisputed futsal powerhouse.
Iran, whose Sanaye Giti Pasand lifted the AFC Club Futsal Championship 2012 by beating Uzbekistan's Ardus 2-1, Japan and Thailand all reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA Futsal World Cup as the continent's top three side's represented Asia with pride on the global stage.
The AFC Futsal Team of the Year will be unveiled at the 2012 AFC Annual Awards gala, which will take place on Thursday at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.