Iran Wary of Morocco Threat in 2024 Futsal World Cup Last 16
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran will be confident yet wary when it faces Morocco in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 last 16 tie on Thursday.
At stake for the winner will be a mouth-watering clash with Brazil in the quarter-finals, with the five-time champion having booked its last eight ticket with a 5-0 defeat of Costa Rica on Tuesday.
Iran, seeking to better its bronze medal finish of 2016, enjoyed serene passage to the knockout stage by topping Group F.
Having opened its campaign with a 7-1 defeat of Venezuela, the 13-time AFC Futsal Asian Cup winner followed that up with wins over Guatemala (9-4) and France (4-1).
Salar Aghapour has led the team’s challenge, with the midfielder having already netted six goals at Uzbekistan 2024 while the likes of Mahdi Karimi and Moslem Oladghobad have also played pivotal roles in Iran's bid for a first ever world title.
Morocco progressed to the knockout stage as the Group E runner-up, its 4-1 defeat to defending champion Portugal costing them top spot.
While Iran will be confident of advancing, it knows the threat Morocco pose with the African side's world ranking of six just two behind the Asian champion.