Iran Too Strong for Maldives at 2024 AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualification
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran began its bid for a record-extending 13th AFC Futsal Asian Cup title with an 18-2 win over Maldives in Group C of the 2024 Qualifiers on Saturday.
In the match at the Bishkek Arena in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Saeid Ahmad Abbasi scored six goals - in the sixth, 23rd, 27th, 33rd and 35th (2) minutes.
Captain Hossein Tayebi was also in fine form, netting in the 14th, 21st, 23rd and 39th minutes while Amir Hossein Davoudi (5th, 15th) and Behroz Azimihematabadi (28th, 30th) scored two each.
Iran's other goals were contributed by Salah Aghapour (2nd), Mahdi Karimi (12th) and Mohammad Hosseini Derakhshani (27th) with Saamin Mohamed Naseer of the Maldives scoring an own goal in the 30th minute in the emphatic win.
Maldives, who scored through Ali Haafiz (18th) and Ali Shiyah (32nd), will look to bounce back against Lebanon on Monday, while Iran meet Kyrgyzstan.
