A stunning goal from Hamish Grey was the highlight for New Zealand as they succumbed 5-1 to a slick Iran side in their international match played in Vietnam.
The Iran side, ranked #7 in the world, took control of the game early, taking a 2-0 lead in the opening 13 minutes at the Lanh Binh Thang Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday evening (NZT).
The Futsal Whites came back with the goal of the game, when Ethan Martin lofted a ball for Grey to volley into the net.
The Iran side extended their lead with second half goals in the 29th, 32nd and 39th minutes.
The New Zealand side, ranked #49 in the world, worked hard for the full game and had their moments, and the game provided valuable experience against one of the world’s best futsal sides.
The tour to Vietnam is crucial preparation for the national team as they prepare for their first-ever FIFA Futsal World Cup to be held in Uzbekistan in September/October.
In their first game of the three-match tour, New Zealand drew 2-2 with hosts Vietnam, who are ranked #38.
READ MORE: Futsal Whites fight back for 2-2 draw with higher-rated Vietnam >>>>
Next up, the Futsal Whites will face Morocco who are ranked #8 in the world.
Watch the match
Result
Game played on Saturday March 30, 2024
Futsal Whites 1 (Hamish Grey 18′)
Iran 5 (scorers not available)
Fixture
Game to be played on Sunday March 31, 2024
New Zealand v Morocco
Lanh Binh Thang Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, 8pm (NZT)
New Zealand squad
(Caps/goals, before start of current tour)
Rahan Ali (12/14) Moreland Futsal, Australia
Mike Antamanov (12/1) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Stephen Ashby-Peckham (41/17) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Sean Beresford* (0/0) Capital Futsal, Aotearoa New Zealand
Jordi Ditfort (23/13) Bloomsbury Futsal, England
Hamish Grey (12/6) Zambu CFS Pinatar, Spain
Hemi Innes (0/0) Canterbury United Dragons, Aotearoa New Zealand
Dylan Manickum (63/37) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ethan Martin (12/8) Waikato Rapids, Aotearoa New Zealand
Adam Paulsen (12/5) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Thomas Picken (7/1) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Luc Saker (23/4) Capital Futsal, Aotearoa New Zealand
Casey Sharplin (12/5) Waikato Rapids, Aotearoa New Zealand
Art Twigg (7/3) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Denny Twigg (5/0) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
Sam Twigg* (0/0) Auckland City FC, Aotearoa New Zealand
* Indicates a debut Futsal Whites call-up
Withdrawals
Oban Hawkins (20/7) Southern United, Aotearoa New Zealand (injury)
Logan Wisnewski (20/5) Bloomsbury Futsal, England
About the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup
The tournament will be staged in Uzbekistan from September 14 – October 6, 2024.
It will be the 10th Futsal World Cup and 24 teams will participate, including the host nation and New Zealand.
READ MORE: More teams qualify to join Futsal Whites at FIFA Futsal World Cup tournament >>>>
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