TEHRAN - Iran sealed their spot in the Round of 16 in style after defeating Guatemala 9-4 in their FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 Group F tie at the Bukhara Universal Sports Complex on Thursday.

Iran had to reverse a one-goal deficit against a gritty Guatemala, who forced a 3-3 scoreline going into the break before the Central Asian side delivered a sparkling performance in the second half to make it two wins out of two.

Iran dominated the opening proceedings and should have taken the lead but Guatemala keeper Jose Reyes made a double stop to deny Mahdi Karimi and Salar Aghapour in the third minute.

Guatemala’s defensive approach frustrated the Iranians, which spurred them to bring on Hossein Tayebi who, however, struggled to make an impact early on with Reyes in the thick of the action.

Iran, who defeated Venezuela 7-1 in their opener, continued to waste chances with Sajad Yousef Khah, Tayebi and Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh all failing to find the target following swift counter-attack plays.

Guatemala broke the deadlock against the run of play after Roman Alvarado set up Patrick Ruiz in the sixth minute.

Stunned into action, Saeid Ahmad Abbasi put Iran back on level terms seconds later with a stinging shot from the right side of the box.

Iran poured more bodies forward and took the lead after Behrooz Azimi found an unmarked  Salar Aghapour, who struck home from just above the arc leaving Reyes no chance.

Tayebi then grabbed his first goal of the tournament after turning in Oladghobad’s layoff to give Iran a two-goal cushion.

Guatemala, however, pulled one back through Patrick Ruiz after  Alvarado did well to hold up play with the former then finishing with a classy lob into the unattended goalmouth.

Saeid Ahmad Abbasi then saw his penalty saved by Reyes as Guatemala showed nerves of steel to level the tie with Marvin Sandoval finding the net from an acute angle.

Iran, however, upped the tempo in the second half as they retook the lead with Aghapour netting in 21st minute, before the Central Asian side furthered their advantage with goals from Azimi (25th), Abbasi (27th), Karimi (31st) and Tayebi (37th).

Guatemala reduced the deficit through Edgar Santizo’s close range effort before Abbasi completed his hat-trick in the closing stages to seal the empathic victory.

Source: the-afc