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| AFC Futsal Championship |
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| Shams sees Lebanon’s potential |
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| Despite seeing his side emerge with a comfortable 9-1 win, Iran coach Hossein Shams feels Lebanon can be a potential force in Asian futsal. |
BANGKOK - Iran coach Hossein Shams insisted Lebanon will prove to be a force to be reckoned with in future editions of the AFC Futsal Championships despite seeing his side demolish them 9-1 in the quarter-finals of the 2008 tournament.
Mohammed Taheri notched a brace, while Mohammad Hashemzadeh, Kazem Mohammadi, Vahid Shamsaee, Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh, Majid Latifi, Mostafa Tayyebi and Abbas Fadlallaha all got on the score sheet in a one-sided contest at Hua Mark Stadium.
Iran now meet Japan in the last four in a repeat of last year's final as well as booking a place in the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil, but Shams had words of consolation for his vanquished opponents.
"I think there is a bright future for Lebanon because they are a very good team and have very good coach and next time they could maybe go to the semi-finals or perhaps the final," he said.
"I think Lebanon were very tired because they arrived late to Thailand and could not prepare as they wanted to so they did not have much chance. Every year we play Lebanon in the group stages or the quarter-finals and I am sorry we give them this problem."
Lebanon coach Dory Zakhour admitted his side had been comprehensively outclassed.
"Iran are the best team and nobody can beat them," he said.
"I want to congratulate Iran. We have come up against the best team in Asia.
I'm very proud of my team because the best teams in Asia look on my team as a good team and as I've said before, my team is not very prepared.
However, Zakhour also predicted better things for Lebanon in tournaments to come.
"We'll have to see next time because we'll work very hard on the development of futsal in our country. And next time will hopefully be a more peaceful build-up," he said.
And with tongue firmly in cheek he added: "Our chances at every championship are ended by Iran. I hope they don't play in the next competition."
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