Sanaye Giti Pasand inch closer to realizing title dream [VIDEO]

AFC – HO CHI MINH CITY, Sanaye Giti Pasand booked their place in the last four of the AFC Futsal Club Championship Vietnam 2017 after battling to a 2-0 victory against a spirited Bank of Beirut FC side on Thursday.

Having never defeated an Iranian team in the competition, history was certainly in favour of mighty favourites Giti Pasand who were eyeing a third final in the last six editions, but Bank of Beirut gave a good account of themselves in the opening minutes and created the game’s first clear chance.

Mohamad Kobeissy outmuscled Mohammad Keshavarz to set himself goal-bound, with just the goalkeeper to beat, but Sepehr Mohammadi did well to clear with his feet.

The Lebanese side’s roaring start seemed to have unnerved Giti Pasand with the Iranians struggling to find the rhythm to carve out any meaningful chance as the first half reached the midway mark.

Abolghasem Orouji finally came close for the Iranians, but his long-range effort forced a fine save from Hussein Hamadani in the 12th minute.

A minute later, it was Bank of Beirut’s turn to come close, Ahmad Kheir El Dine letting fly a thunderous effort from Behroz Jafari’s corner but Mohammadi was once again the Iranians’ saviour.

Bank of Beirut’s Iranian import Jafari came close again with six minutes remaining, but the former Dabiri Tabriz forward failed to match his powerful shot with accuracy as the ever-ready Mohammadi showed safe hands once again.

With 38.8 seconds on the clock, Giti Pasand finally broke the deadlock, somewhat against the run of play, when Orouji eased past Ali Tneich before slotting home to give the Iranians a crucial lead.

Feeling somewhat aggrieved to have conceded, Bank of Beirut then came storming out in the second period, creating two quick chances – first Tneich drawing a stunning save from Mohammadi, who was then called into action once more to deny El Dine, moments later.

Giti Pasand then carved out a well-crafted move five minutes into the second-half, to increase their lead when Saeid Ahmad Abbasi showed great strength to waltz past Ali El Homsi, beating Hamadani but not his right post.

Pilling on the pressure, the Iranians were then rewarded with their second, all thanks to a moment of magic from custodian Mohammadi.

The goalkeeper demonstrated pinpoint precision with his hands to hoist the ball from his goal directly onto the head of a leaping Ahmad Esmaeilpour for an easy finish in the 29th minute.

The Lebanese would deploy the power play in the remaining minutes but despite dominating possession, were lucky not have conceded another when Abbasi saw his effort just whisk past their empty goalmouth.

Dejan Dedovic (Bank of Beirut Head Coach)

“We tried our best. We tried to create history. As I said before, you could see today, they are a team of individuals, we are a true team. We made two small mistakes, especially the one just before half-time, and their goalkeeper assisted the second, that was it. This team has the potential to do well. I am proud of all my players. They left their hearts out there on that court today. Today, Giti Pasand were lucky; they were not the better team.”

Alireza Afzal (Sanaye Giti Pasand Isfahan Head Coach):

“I suppose you could say I expected it to be easier than this. I think the players were feeling the pressure. But to be honest, it makes no difference for me, whether we win by one goal or 10 goals, a win is a win. They didn’t come to play, they came to counter. They played a physical game, which made it hard for us but I must praise my players for doing their part. Now we look to the final and the title.”