Kish: Islamic Republic of Iran clinched the 2018 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships after defeating Australia 7-0 in the final match of the round robin competition at the Kish Island Olympic Stadium in Iran recently.
The hosts, who finished on 12 points, became the first ever Asia-Oceania champions after previously winning titles in 2006, 2010 and 2014 in Asia.
The 2016 Paralympic silver medallists stayed perfect as they won their four matches, scoring 30 goals and conceding just two. Australia took second place with nine points. Both teams have qualified for the 2019 IFCPF World Cup to be hosted in Seville, Spain.
Jordan took third spot, while Thailand and Korea Republic finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Iran raced to a 4-0 lead at half-time and widened their advantage in the second half with three more goals.
In the bronze medal match, debutants Jordan were 6-0 up at the break. Thailand pulled two back in the second half but there was no stopping Jordan as they added two of their own to win 8-2.
Iran's captain Abdolreza Karimizadeh was the top scorer of the tournament with 13 goals.
Mohammad Diabat of Jordan was awarded the MVP, while Australia’s Christoper Barty took the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
The tournament was hosted by the Iranian Sports Federation for the Disabled, with support from the National Paralympic Committee of Iran and the Football Federation Islamic Republic of Iran.
Source: the-afc.com