Iran Futsal ready to beat Italy

PTV - Iran's Mohammad Taheri says the absence of two key players in the game against Italy will not affect the team's chances at winning.

"They are two very important players, but the guys replacing them will do a great job. We Iranians are well used to this type of situation. We thrive on adversity and always find the strength to keep going," the 23-year-old player told FIFA.com on Monday.

After a 5-4 win over Ukraine at the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup, Iran's National Team must now defeat Italy to remain in the competition.

The team will face the Azzurri Futsal team without Vahid Shamsaee and Mohammad Keshavarz who have been suspended.

"I believe Brazil is still the best team out there, with Spain a very close second. Having played against those two already, I reckon that Italy isn't as tough a proposition,” Taheri said.

The Shahid Mansouri player has so far scored five goals in the tournament, two against Ukraine and one against Spain, Uruguay and Libya respectively.

"It's been a magnificent experience because we've done it in the country that has given us this sport's most technically gifted players. On top of that, the public has been very affectionate towards us. It's all been wonderful," he concluded.

Less than a month ago, the team's ambition was to make it through to the second round but according to Taheri, now that the team 'knows its capabilities' it plans to make it to the final round and play against Brazil.