Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Asian futsal powerhouse Iran suffered a huge blow ahead of their bid to retain the AFC Futsal Championship crown following striker Masoud Daneshvar absence due to injury.
Daneshvar, who was Iran's second best scorer in the last edition of the championship in Uzbekistan, failed to travel to Dubai due to persistent back injury.
Daneshvar had netted 11 goals including a brace in Iran’s 8-3 win over Uzbekistan in the final.
“He sustained back injury some two months ago while playing the last match of the domestic league for champions Sanaye Giti Pasand,” said Iran futsal committee chairman Abbas Torabian who is leading the team in Dubai for the 12th edition of the Asian Futsal Championship.
“He was determined to make it to the UAE but finally the doctor asked him to take complete rest and we decided to come here without him,” Torabian added. The 24-year old Giti Pasand star was registered in the preliminary squad for Iran.
The defending champions are in one the toughest groups featuring Australia, Korea Republic and Qatar. Iran will take on Korea Republic on Friday at Al Shabab Stadium.