Iran Press/Asia: Iran seized control from the start at the Bangkok Arena to deny Thailand a maiden title as the Central Asian side made up for losing to Japan in the 2022 edition.
Iran got off to a fine start, taking the lead in the first minute off a set-piece situation when Salar Aghapour teed-up Mahdi Karimi, who finished into the bottom corner of the net from the top of the arc.
Thailand, despite being urged on by the partisan crowd, struggled to break through, with Krit Aransanyalak finding his advances on the right flank consistently halted by Iran’s solid defending.
Thailand keeper Arut Senbat was kept on his toes, having to block Karimi’s forced drive from the left flank, before seeing Alireza Rafiei Pour pull his effort wide from inside the box.
The hosts had their first look on goal in the fourth minute when Alongkorn Janphon lost his marker at the centre before playing the ball square to the advancing Therdsak Charoenphong, who fired his effort over the bar.
A lapse in concentration saw Thailand concede again in the fifth minute when Mohammadreza Sangsefidi played the ball on for the overlapping Moslem Oladghobad on the right flank, who supplied a pinpoint cross for Saeid Ahmad Abbasi to score his eighth goal of the tournament.
Thailand refused to concede defeat, with Suphawut Thueanklang seeing his set-piece effort saved by Iran keeper Bagher Mohammadi, who then did well to force Panut Kittipanuwong’s shot wide in a one on one situation.
The onus was on Thailand to find their way back and they did so in spectacular fashion in the 25th minute when Jirawat Sornwichian exchanged passes with Muhammad Osamanmusa before darting through centre and chipping the ball over Mohammadi.
A relentless Iran responded two minutes later off a set-piece situation when Sangsefidi lofted the perfect cross to an unmarked Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh to volley home to regain their two-goal advantage.
Thailand, desperate to reduce the deficit in the second half, opted for the power play, but the move proved costly in the 34th minute as Mohammadi gained possession in his area before lofting the ball over to score Iran’s fourth to confirm his nation's 13th AFC Futsal Asian Cup title.
Iranians also picked awards for best goalkeeper, MVP, and Yili Top Scorer.
Saeid Ahmad Abbasi’s dazzling performances saw him named the Most Valuable Player and win the Yili Top Scorer Award at the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 on Sunday.
Abbasi picked up the award after helping Iran beat Thailand in the final, having been in sterling form throughout the tournament.
In the final, Abbasi added his eighth goal with a classy finish to cap off a fine performance.
Abbasi opened his Thailand 2024 account with a brace in Iran’s 3-1 win over Afghanistan before scoring twice in victories against Bahrain (5-3) and Kuwait (4-0).
The pivot, who plays his club futsal with Spanish outfit Valdepenas, then finished off a fine counter-attacking move to score Iran’s fourth goal in their 6-1 win over Kyrgyz Republic in the quarter-finals.
Bagher Mohammadi’s rock solid performances for Islamic Republic of Iran in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 saw him claim the Best Goalkeeper Award.
The custodian displayed fine form throughout the tournament, which saw Iran claim a record-extending 13th title.
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Iran stay on course for 13th title at AFC Futsal Asian Cup
