AFC Futsal Championship Final: Uzbekistan preview

Uzbekistan secured a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over Thailand in Friday’s semi-final following a thrilling 2-2 draw as Pazos’ side maintained their record of having never failed to qualify for the final as hosts.

But if Uzbekistan are to avoid a fourth final defeat, they must overcome Iran, whose formidable form has seen the 10-time winners score an incredible 46 goals in five games including a 13-1 semi-final victory over Vietnam on Friday.

“The key point is to keep them quiet for the first five or 10 minutes; nobody has managed to do that yet and they have won every match easily,” said Pazos, whose side lost 8-3 to Iran in the 2010 final.

“If we can keep them quiet or even score an early goal, who knows, maybe they will begin to get doubts in their minds that they have not experienced so far.

“But we have not started games well yet, so we need to improve that way. For us to win, we must produce the perfect game and we also need them to not be at their best.

“Nobody has been able to come close to stopping them yet. Vietnam tried to press them but it was impossible, other teams have tried to sit deep and defend and have been punished. They will punish us if we have any lack of focus which is why we need 40 minutes of total concentration.”

Hosts Uzbekistan began the tournament with a 5-2 win over Saudi Arabia before going on to top Group A with maximum points after claiming wins over Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon.

And after seeing off Iraq 3-0 in the quarter-finals, Pazos’ team came through the tense semi-final with Thailand to raise hopes of a first continental crown following final defeats in 2001, 2006 and 2010.

“We must try to play in a similar way to the Thailand game, where we defended and attacked well. We also need to cut out our mistakes,” added Pazos.

“But I have told my players they must enjoy this occasion because playing in front of the home fans will be special. It will probably be the last time they play the tournament in their own country with such a great atmosphere, so they must make the most of it.

“Iran will not be affected by our support because they are used to playing in front of big crowds so, I repeat, the key for us to complete mission impossible is to keep them quiet at the beginning. If we can do that, maybe we will find their weak points.”