Uzbek fans a breeze for Iran says Shams
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intimidated by a vocal home crowd as the defending champions bid for a 10th AFC Futsal Championship title when they face the tournament hosts at Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Sunday. The Iranians have swept aside all before them in their run to the final scoring a stunning 49 goals and conceding just six.
Even more impressive is that all this has come despite the absence of futsal legend Vahid Shamsaee, who was omitted from the squad prior to the tournament.
The only AFC Futsal Championship title that has eluded Iran in the last decade came in the 2006 edition, which was won by Japan and also held in Uzbekistan.
The home crowd have provided impressive backing for the Uzbeks throughout this tournament and the beaten coaches of Australia and China both stated that the intimidating atmosphere was a major contribution to their defeats.
But Shams brushed off the concerns and stressed his players are experienced enough to be able to handle the pressure.
“The prospect of a vocal home support does not concern me,” said Shams.
“My players have had to play in many finals where the atmosphere was almost completely behind our rival.
“Each time it did not prevent Iran from becoming the champion of Asia.”
It could be argued that the absence of Shamsaee has enabled the team to strengthen other areas of their game with the rest of the squad coming into their own during this tournament.
Goalkeeper Mostafa Nazari has been particularly impressive and it is partly down to his crucial saves that Iran have managed to frustrate many teams throughout this tournament.
Uzbekistan coach Sergio Sapo, meanwhile, remains unwavering in his belief that the fans can have a major influence on the outcome of the match and has called on them to pack the stands and cheer the hosts to a maiden AFC Futsal Championship title.
The Uzbeks have twice before finished runners-up as they fell just short four years go and at the 2001 tournament, when they lost 9-0 to Iran in Tehran.
But Sapo believes they have a very real chance of victory tomorrow with the backing of Uzbek fans.
“This is going to be a difficult meeting against Iran but the fans support against China was superb and I hope in the final it will be the same, he said.“
