IR Iran overcame China PR and their vociferous fans to grab the last place at the first FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup™. Nasimeh Gholami and Maral Torkaman registered two assists and goals respectively as Forouzan Soleimani’s side emerged 3-1 winners in the third-place play-off at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup. Iran will now join hosts Philippines, Japan and Thailand in representing Asia at the global finals, which kicks off on 21 November.

The noise was ear-splitting in Hohhot, but it was Iran who struck first, Torkaman volleying in a Gholami pass from close range.

China’s equaliser was a beauty. Zou Yinglan slipped inside her marker and fizzed a sublime pass between two opponents for Su Jiahong, who executed a breathtaking 360° turn and crossed for Cao Jiayi to dink it home. Nastaran Moghimi restored Iran’s advantage, turning in Gholami’s corner, before Zou’s strike came back off the post.

China threw everything they had into pulling level again, but Iran defended resolutely. When Hu Jie’s team lost possession while utilising the flying goalkeeper late on, Torkaman stroke the ball into the empty net to seal the deal.

Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Italy, Morocco, New Zealand, Panama, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Tanzania will also compete at the FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup.