IR Iran, 12-time Asian champions, fell at the final hurdle in their bid for the Caspian Cup title, losing 9-3 to hosts Russia to finish the competition in second place.

A total of 31 Member Associations (MAs) were divided into four zones - East, ASEAN, West and the combined Central and South.

For the combined Central and South Zones, 12-time champions Islamic Republic of Iran were drawn in Group B alongside Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan, the hosts for the AFC Futsal Championship 2020.

Four-time runners-up Uzbekistan will face Tajikistan, Nepal, Afghanistan in Group A.

In the East Zone, three-time champions Japan will have Korea Republic and Macau for company in Group B, while Chinese Taipei, China PR, Mongolia and Hong Kong are in Group A.

Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh gave Iran the lead in the first half, and further goals from Farhad Tavakoli, Hossein Tayebi and Hassanzadeh again secured them a second consecutive title.

The battle between the Continent’s two futsal giants began as expected, with both sides playing a high pressure game with intense marking from the first blow of the whistle, and Mahdi Javid came dangerously close for Iran in the opening minutes when his effort struck the goal frame.

Japan head coach Bruno Garcia kept his players fully charged with flying substitutions which forced Iran to constantly adapt to the changing formations.

Iran took the lead in the first half with skipper and Most Valuable Player Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh finding the back of the net in the 19th minute, and continued to dominate the second half with goals from Farkhad Tavakoli, Hussein Tayebi and Hassanzadeh again to seal a comprehensive win over Japan.

“I’m the most happiest man in the stadium,” said the former Giti Pasand coach.

“I want to say thanks to all who have helped us, from the organisers of this tournament to our own management staff.

The MVP of the competition is awarded to the player who has shown excellence in play, and his overall contribution to his team during the entire competition, and Hassanzadeh has shown those qualities.

“Firstly, I would like to say thanks to AFC, for arranging such an excellent tournament, and for allowing us to participate,” said Hassanzadeh.

“And I’m more than happy to receive this award. But I don't believe it’s mine alone, as it belongs to my team. All the players who have helped me throughout the tournament.”

Tayebi edged two-time AFC Most Valuable Player of The Year and teammate, Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh who scored two goals against Japan to finish second with 12.

It was Tayebi's second top scorer award following his first win four years ago in Vietnam.

Tayebi was instrumental throughout the tournament as he scored hat-tricks against Myanmar, China and Thailand. His last goal of the tournament against The Samurai Five in the final on Sunday summed up his fantastic tournament.

In the opening minutes, both sides played cautiously and only looked to apply pressure when necessary, and in one such instance in the third minute, Dilshod Rakhmatov intercepted Zaid Ali’s pass, before Davron Choriev beat goalkeeper Yahya Abdulnoor for Uzbekistan to take an early lead.

Iraq then began to pile on the pressure and had more control over the ball, but with Uzbek custodian Rustam Umarov guiding his backline, the West Asians had few opportunities on target.

However in the 15th minute, Ali rectified his earlier mistake by dispossessing Rakhmatov in front of the box, and fired off a firm shot to the bottom right to equalise for Iraq.

Haitham Abbas’ charges returned in the second half more passionate and 20 seconds in, Waleed Khalid found the back of the net with a superb volley from a corner set-play, before Salim Faisal doubled their advantage two minutes later when his shot bounced in between the framework and into the goal.

Uzbekistan, who finished third in 2005, 2007 and 2014 and were runners-up two years ago, were hardly demoralised despite the two-goal deficit, and in the 26th minute skipper Artur Yunusov neatly converted from a corner.