IRAN TRIUMPHANT IN FINAL OVER PLUCKY THAIS

Veteran Vahid Shamsaee scored twice to give retiring skipper Mohammad Reza Heidarain the perfect send-off as Majid Latifi and Heidarian grabbed the other goals for the well-deserved Iranian win.

The win has allowed Hossein Shams’ side to claim their ninth title in 10 years in a game in which they always held the upper hand over their plucky opponents.

Iran had the first clear chance when Javad Asghari Moghaddam found himself clean through on goal but keeper Somkid Chuenta saved well with his legs.

Panomkorn Saisorn was then inches away from connecting with a cross before Iran took the lead as Latifi picked up the ball from a corner and drilled a low shot past Somkid.

Thailand had a good chance to get back on level terms seconds later but Eakapong Suratsawang fired well wide when handily placed before Somkid pulled of a tremendous double stop to deny Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh.

But Iran increased their lead through the prolific Shamsaee as he broke down the left before dispatching a low finish into the bottom corner.

Shamsaee netted Iran’s third just over two minutes into the second period when he bamboozled a Thai defender to create space for himself before firing between Somkid’s legs.

Mohammad Keshavarz cleared Anucha Munjarern’s shot off the line as Thailand looked to spark a fight back.

Eakapong then drew a huge cheer from the partisan crowd when, on for keeper Somkid, he produced a fine last-ditch tackle to halt Moghaddam.

Mostafa Nazari had to be alert to beat away Prasert Innui’s powerful effort at his near post as Heidarian fittingly netted the final goal of the game in the closing minute to seal yet another triumph for the best Futsal team in Asia.