TEHRAN – Iran advanced to the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 quarterfinals after a thrilling 9-8 win over Asian rival Uzbekistan in Round of 16 tie on Friday.
Iran walked away winner to set up a quarterfinal tie against Kazakhstan.
Iran opened the scoring in the first minute through captain Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh, before Mahdi Javid doubled the lead in the fifth minute, courtesy of Farhad Fakhim’s assist.
The two teams last met in the 2018 AFC Futsal Championship with Iran emerging 7-1 winner but Uzbekistan - bolstered by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time - refused to be overawed and pulled one back in the ninth minute through Khusniddin Nishonov.
Iran restored their two-goal lead when Hassanzadeh turned provider for Saeid Ahmad Abbasi to find the back of the net in the 16th minute, but Uzbekistan’s persistence saw the team score quick goals through Dilshod Rakhmatov and Ikhtiyor Ropiev in the 17th and 18th minutes respectively to level the tie.
Iran called their first time-out to take the edge out of Uzbekistan, which proved to be a successful move as Farhad Tavakoli struck moments into the restart.
Team Melli maintained its high tempo in the second half with Abbasi and Javid scoring their second goals of the evening in the 22nd and 25th minutes respectively.
The scintillating match continued with its thrills as Anaskhon Rakhmatov reduced Uzbekistan’s deficit in the 28th minute, but Iran’s reply was immediate through Hassanzadeh, before Moslem Oladghobad scored two minutes later to make it 8-4.
Uzbekistan, however, refused to back down and closed the gap with Ilhomjon Hamroev and Nishonov beating Iran goalkeeper Alireza Samimi in the 31st and 33rd minutes.
The goals galore, however, was not yet over as Abbasi completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute but Uzbekistan fought back with Anaskhon and Hamroev giving their side hope only for the clock to run out on them.
Iran are scheduled to meet Kazakhstan in quarterfinals on Monday.