Monday, September 17, 2007

Iran U23 in Thailand for friendly matches practice

Saturday, 15 September 2007 Futsal022.jpg
FutsalPlanet.com - THAILAND, Asian champion Iran has arrived in Bangkok, Thailand for a two match friendlies tour series. The mentioned matches are part of the preparation for the Asian Indoor Games in Macau for both teams and also a timely rehearsal for Thailand who are due in Madrid for a two-week training series in October whilst they prepare for their long term ambitions of the World Cup Qualifiers in Bangkok next year.
Arriving on Friday, the Iranians have come with a squad (the Under 23 selection) that is being billed as a collection of potentially the best talent in the country and definitely pointing towards the future.

Coached by Brazilian Jurandir Azevedo, the team played the first match against the ever-improving Thais on Saturday which ended 2-2 in a hard fought match.

Playing infront of 3,000 fans at the Fashion Island Mall, Thailand, still reeling from the abrupt passing of their coach Glaucio Castro, stuck to the education provided by the former Brazilian international’s lessons through stand-in coach Pattaya Piemkum in being disciplined in defence and quick in attack.

Blooding several new talents as well in the squad, Thailand scored first through captain Panuwat Janta in the 12th minute. Hassan Donyai then replied in the 22nd minute to make it 1-1 to go in at the break.

A breathtaking first period indeed which had the fans glued to the seats and definitely wanting more of the same in the second period.

The second half began where it was all left off as Thailand attacked relentlessly, with quick passing and fleet-footwork, aided by the promptings of the dynamic Janta and the intelligent Sermphan ‘Big Joe’ Khumthinkaew and Iran countered with their own repertoire of play like an impressive orchestra conducted by Mohamad Kesahvaz and Mohamad Taheri.

With end to end action, a goal was bound to come and it was the host who added to the tally again in impressive fashion. A quick neat through ball to Prasert Innui saw the attacker dragging the ball away from his marker for an explosive left-footed finish past Mostafa Nazany.

The lead lasted all of three minutes as Mohamad Taheri took advantage of a lapse in the Thai defence to make it 2-2.

As the minutes ticked away, the score stood the same although the Thais could have won it bit for Prasert to blast high when well positioned.


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