Iran Press/Asia: Mohammadi saved two spot-kicks as Iran advanced to Sunday’s final against hosts Thailand, with the Central Asian side seeking a record-extending 13th AFC Futsal Asian Cup title.
According to AFC, Iran earned a free-kick in a dangerous position just seconds into the tie but Uzbekistan were quick to snuff out the attempt, with Ikhtiyor Ropiev playing the ball on for the overlapping Khusniddin Nishonov, who dragged his effort just inches off the right post.
It was a tense opening minutes with neither side giving an inch of space with Iran’s Salar Aghapour seeing his effort from distance saved by Uzbekistan keeper Abbos Elmurodov, while at the other end Aghapour needed to step in to foil Ilkhomjon Khamroev’s challenge.
Iran, however, struck in the third minute when Aghapour weaved his way down the left flank before unleashing his shot which took a deflection off Uzbekistan’s Mashrab Adilov before settling in the back of the net.
Uzbekistan, however, fought back and drew level in the ninth minute with Sunatulla Juraev’s free-kick from distance beating a diving Bagher Mohammadi.
It was end to end action with Iran keeping Elmurodov busy with an array of shots from Saeid Ahmad Abbasi, while Mohammadi was also tested when he had to keep out Khamroev’s effort.
It was Uzbekistan who scored next, Abror Akhmetzyanov initially deflecting Mohammadhossein Derakhshani’s pass, with Khamroev then laying the ball for Nishonov to set up Akhmetzyanov for a simple tap-in.
Iran turned up the tempo in the second half and drew level in the 24th minute when the unfortunate Akhmetzyanov turned in Moslem Oladghobad’s free-kick from the left flank.
Uzbekistan suffered another blow in the 27th minute when Adilov received his marching orders after picking up his second yellow card leaving the door open for Iran, who retook the lead two minutes later.
Aghapour sent a delightful cross to an unmarked Behrooz Azimi Hematabadi, who had the simplest of touches to put the ball into the back of the net from close range leaving Elmurodov stunned.
Iran, however, suffered a lapse in concentration in the 35th minute when Juraev dispossessed Mahdi Karimi on the right flank before supplying the cross for Akhmetzyanov to slot home the equaliser in an unattended goal.
Abbasi came close to scoring in the closing stages of the first period when his angled overhead kick sailed above the bar, while Ropiev forced a fine fingertip save from Mohammadi with the Iranian custodian saved Nishonov’s effort from distance.
Mohammadi then saved the first and sixth Uzbekistan spot-kicks as Iran moved within a match of yet another AFC Futsal Asian Cup title.
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