Champion Iran’s title defence started with a 4-1 win against Malaysia in their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Group D tie in Jakarta.
With the win, Iran joined Afghanistan – who beat Saudi Arabia 3-0 earlier in the day – on maximum points.
Japan signalled their title intentions by overpowering Australia 6-2 in their opening Group C match.
Meanwhile, Malaysia forced Bagher Mohammadi into making two early saves, both efforts from Awalluddin Nawi but it was Iran who would take the lead inside the opening minute.
A mix-up between goalkeeper Syaifuddin Syukri and Saad Sani saw what was supposed to be an easy gather turned into a simple tap-in for Mohammadhossein Derakhshani.
Mohammadi came to the rescue of Iran again in the fifth minute, coming out of his goalmouth to stop a marauding Firdaus Ambiah who had broken through the last line of defence.
Similarly, Syaifuddin had to work hard to prevent the gap from widening, making a smart reflex swing to tip away Salar Aghapour’s rasping drive in the 10th minute and then sticking his leg out in the 18th to clear a volley from the same player before Hossein Tayebi cracked a shot against the post just before the break.
After the interval, Malaysia continued to soak up Iran’s pressure with the occasional counter attacks looking dangerous but the reigning champions’ efficiency came to the fore in the 25th minute.
Aghapour – from the kick-in – teed up Behrooz Azimi for a precise low strike into the bottom corner which Syaifuddin could do nothing about.
Iran were brimming with confidence now, adding a third a minute later when Tayebi capitalised on a Malaysian mistake to fire home from the edge of the semi-circle.
Moslem Oladghobad added another for Iran in the 28th minute with Malaysia netting a late consolation through Awalluddin.
Reza Hosseinpoor starred with two goals as Afghanistan – quarter-finalists in 2024 – got the resounding start they were seeking.
It was Saudi Arabia, however, who had the first sight on goal following a quick breakaway in the second minute as Abdullah Alaqeeli released Eihab Mohamed into space with his stinging strike palmed away by Javad Safari.
Afghanistan had opportunities through Omid Qanbari and Hosseinpoor but both strikes were easily dealt with by Saudi Arabia goalkeeper Humood Aldahhan.
Chances continued to come at both ends with Saudi Arabia’s Saleh Alqarni seeing his shot saved by Safari before Aldahhan denied Seyed Hossein Mousavi and Akbar Kazemi.
Afghanistan’s increasing intensity and pressure saw them open the scoring with seconds to play in the first half, Hosseinpoor had his first attempt saved by Aldahhan but made no mistake with the rebound.
The Central Asian side were close to a second goal two minutes into the second half but skipper Kazemi’s deflected only clipped the top of the crossbar while at the other end Safari made himself big to deny Mohamed from close range.
Afghanistan’s second goal did arrive in the 28th minute, a carbon copy of the first goal but from further away, Hosseinpoor again had his initial strike block but rammed home the rebound into the bottom corner.
Saudi Arabia’s decision to use the flying goalkeeper tactic came back to bite them late on as Afghanistan won possession to allow Qanbari to slot the ball into an unguarded goalmouth.
The next set of fixtures in Group D will see Afghanistan face Malaysia while Saudi Arabia take on Iran with both matches to be played on Friday.
The four-time champions Japan produced a dominating performance at the Indonesia Arena and displayed their attacking talent with six different players finding the back of the net.
Australia, however, stunned Japan with a goal within the opening minute when Hiroshi Tabuchi’s save from a deflected Grant Lynch effort bounced off Ryoto Kai and into the path of Ethan De Melo, who forced the ball home from close range.
Japan secured their equaliser in the fifth minute after keeper Noah Feilich failed to handle Takehiro Motoishi’s low drive, and then doubled their lead a minute later with a beautifully curled first-time effort from Shoto Yamanaka off a kick-in.
Shunta Uchida added goal number three in the 10th minute when he pounced on Feilich’s save from Kokoro Harada and slammed the ball past the prone keeper, who, to his credit, pulled off a superb save from Ryuji Izu moments later to prevent Japan from increasing their tally.
Australia had no answer to Japan’s slick passing game and solid defence, and Harada netted their fourth in the 18th minute when he got the better of midfielder Scott Rogan and launched a pin-point strike from the right of the semi-circle.
A more determined Australia attempted to get back into the game in the second half, with Jyden Harb’s effort going over the bar in the 26th minute and Wade Giovenali shooting wide minutes later.
Japan, however, put a spanner in the works when Kaito Yamada robbed Giovenali of the ball and sent his shot crashing into the left of the net past a lunging Feilich.
Australia pulled one back in the 33rd minute after Harb dispossessed Motoishi and struck from the edge of the semi-circle past Fabio Silveira. They could have added a third if not for some fine work from the keeper, who saved twice from Harb.
The East Asian side closed the match with goal number six from skipper Kazuya Shimizu, who curled the ball past Feilich from a set-piece just outside the circle.
Japan will meet Tajikistan next while Australia play Uzbekistan, with both matches on Friday.
