THAIS IN FINAL OF AFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Thailand have proven to be the surprise package of the tournament in reaching the showpiece encounter for the first time in the country’s history.

Recording notable wins against teams such as Kyrzygstan and Australia along the way.

The hosts demolished China 7-3 in the semi-final to set up the clash with Iran and while Mendez recognises defeating the eight-time champions is a formidable task, the Spaniard is keen for his side to dig deep one last time at Nimibutr Stadium.

“It will be difficult. Iran are the best team in the tournament,” he said.

“But in one game, anything can happen. We want to dream to get this win but we know it will not be easy.

“We’ve gone further in this championship than maybe we thought we would, we will go to the World Cup and it’s the first time Thailand have got to the final so why not?

“We will try to win. We know it is very difficult but the pressure is maybe on Iran because they are the favourites.

“We will try to create a shock but any team that plays against us must be worried because if they play us, they know we don’t give anything.

“We’re not the favourites but we want to fight for this title.”

Confidence is oozing from the Iran camp as they bid for a ninth title in ten years with the narrow 1-0 semi-final win over Japan their first real test in a tournament in which they have comfortable outclassed all their opponents.

And coach Hossein Shams is fully confident the defending champions will retain their title.

“Definitely, we have no doubt about this,” he said.

“There’s no doubt Thailand are the second-best team in Asia right now. They have good management, they are working very well and they have some new good players.

“At the same time we should not forget about Iran. We have not shown all our tactics and you will definitely be witnessing something new against Thailand.”

The two teams recently met in the quarter-final of the Kuala Lumpur World 5s with Thailand coming out tops but Shams insisted that the result then will have no bearing.

“Of course it will be different as Kuala Lumpur was only training,” he added.

“If you remember, we played two games in a day so the game will be quite different from what you saw in Kuala Lumpur.”