Dubai: Multiple champions Iran will start as strong favourites but will have to wary of other teams who are fast catching up when the 12th AFC Futsal Championship UAE 2012 kicks off in Dubai and Sharjah from May 25-June 1.

“Iran have always been leading the way in Futsal, but there are teams like Thailand, Japan and Uzbekistan who are turning out to be worthy challengers,” Ali Targholizade, AFC Director of Futsal Department, told Gulf News at the official draw ceremony of the competition yesterday.

Besides having the top ranking in Asia, Iran is the fourth best Futsal team in the world. They first made their debut in the AFC Futsal Championship in 1999 and since then have competed eleven times on the continental stage – their domination being clearly seen after winning the crown an incredible ten times since then.

“Just like in football, nothing can be taken for granted in Futsal as well. There are teams that have made huge progress and the tournament is a wide open affair,” Targholizade said.

Yesterday’s draw ceremony was attended by a host of football officials including Yousuf Al Serkal, Acting President of the UAE Football Association; Ebrahim Abdul Malik, Secretary General, General Authority of Youth and Sports Welfare; Dr. Ahmad Al Sharif, Secretary General, Dubai Sports Council and Ahmad Nasser Al Fardan, Secretary General, Sharjah Sports Council and Vice President of the Local Organising Committee.

At the end of the draw ceremony, the UAE was placed in Group A along with Thailand, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan; Group B has Japan, Chinese Taipei, Tajikstan and Lebanon; Group C has Iran, Australia, Qatar and South Korea, while Group D consists of Uzbekistan, Indonesia, China and Kuwait.

“All teams here will be eager to put up a good show as the top four sides in this tournament will earn an automatic qualification the Fifa Futsal World Cup to be held in Thailand in November,” Targholizade said.

At the end of the preliminary round matches, each group will have the best two teams qualifying to the knock-out quarter-finals that will be played on May 29. During the preliminary round, Group A and B matches will be played at the Al Wasl Club indoor hall, while Group C and D games will be held at Al Shabab Club’s indoor hall.