Iran’s national men’s goalball team has advanced to the final of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Goalball Championships and clinched a spot in the World Championships after a dramatic 3–2 victory over Thailand in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Why it matters:

Iran’s qualification highlights the country’s increasing investment in sports and adaptive athletics.

 

The big picture:

The semifinal match ended 2–2 in regulation time. Ne’mat Sarafraz scored the golden goal in extra time to seal Iran’s victory.

This was Iran’s sixth match of the tournament, and the team has maintained an undefeated record through both the group and knockout stages.

Iran previously secured victories over Japan, India, and South Korea, underscoring its regional dominance in the tournament.

Iran will face either Australia or China in the final, scheduled for October 20. The tournament is being held in Islamabad and runs through October 20.

What’s next:

The Iranian Blind Sports Federation has announced plans for intensive training in preparation for the World Championships. The upcoming final will not only determine regional supremacy but also offer a glimpse of Iran’s potential on the global stage

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Hossein Amiri - A.Akbari