TEHRAN, Nov. 25 (Mehr News Agency) -- Expediency Council Chairman Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani on Tuesday praised the Iranian futsal team's performance in the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup held in Brazil.

Paying tribute to the national team members in a meeting held at Expediency Council's office, Rafsanjani said, "You raised Iranian people's spirit with your good performance in Brazil. Iran's disappointing results in the Olympics were overshadowed by your victory."

"To provide futsal facilities is easy and we can take advantage of our prolific talents in international fields," he stated.

The Brazilian government took futsal into consideration from 100 years ago and their football legend Pele is a good example of this policy, Rafsanjani added.

Iran's futsal team was held to a 5-5 draw against Italy in October and failed to qualify for the semi-final of the 2008 Futsal World Cup because of goal difference.

... Payvand News - 11/25/08 ... --