Iran football 5-a-side is one of Brazil’s main rivals in Rio, Paralympic.org reported.
Iran football 5-a-side is one of Brazil’s main rivals in Rio, Paralympic.org reported.
Football 5-a-side will make its fourth Paralympic appearance at Rio 2016, where Brazil will be the strong favorite for gold but will face stiff competition from 2014 World Championships’ runner-up Argentina, European champion Turkey and Beijing 2008 silver medallist China.
Brazil has been drawn in Group A with Iran, Morocco and Turkey, whilst Argentina was pitted in Group B against China and Mexico.
The two best teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals.
Since a much-celebrated sixth place at London 2012, defeating Great Britain and Turkey along the way, Iran has enjoyed a steady growth and will be one of Brazil’s main rivals in Rio.
At the 2014 Asian Championships, they defeated favorites China and Japan to claim gold. With the Paralympics one month away, Iran may become the first Asian team to claim the blind football Paralympic title.
The sport will be contested at the Olympic Tennis Centre, located in the Barra Olympic Park, between 9-17 September.