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.