Iran artists’ futsal team beat their Japanese rival 2-0 in the opening game of the first Artists’ Futsal World Cup on Sunday (Feb. 22).
Mohammadreza Heydarian, former captain of Iran national futsal team scored both goals for Iran, in a game held at Azadi indoor stadium in Tehran, the surface of which was covered with artificial turf specifically for the competition.
Prior to the match, the opening ceremony of the games was held in the presence of a number of senior officials and veteran artists and athletes, IRNA reported.
For Iran, known actors Majid Salehi, Reza Attaran, and Javad Hashemi played among others. Other than the goal scorers Heydarian, former Esteghlal football club Mohammad Navazi and former Iran national futsal team goal-keeper Reza Naseri were professional soccer players who played in the field for Iran, coached by former Esteghlal player Mohammadreza Mahdavi.
The eight teams present in the first edition of the competition, were divided into two groups of four. The first two teams of each group will qualify for the next round to hold the semi-finals.
In group A, Brazil, Azerbaijan, Sweden, and Romania will compete and in group B, Japan, Turkey, Poland, and Iran will face each other.
Every team has 10 well-known artists of the participating country and four members of the national football teams over 35 years are also allowed to help the artists.
The 5-day games will conclude on Friday (Feb 26).
