Maral Torkaman: Iran’s Rising Star Set to Propel Nation to Victory!

In an exciting opening match of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup, the Islamic Republic of Iran showcased their prowess on the futsal court. As the game progressed at the Hohhot Sports Center, they faced the daunting challenge of potentially dropping points for the first time in the tournament’s history. The defending champions, who have won every match in their previous ten outings, found themselves in a tough battle against a resolute Philippines team.

With just three minutes remaining in the game, the hopes of the debutant Philippines squad were dashed by an emerging star from Iran’s women’s futsal scene, Maral Torkaman. Displaying remarkable skill and composure, Torkaman, assisted by Sara Shirbeigi, skillfully curled the ball past three defenders into the net, securing a hard-fought victory for Iran and earning them three crucial points.

This match not only highlighted Torkaman’s talent but also exemplified the resilience of the entire team. Despite several missed opportunities throughout the match, the 22-year-old forward remained determined. “I (just) told myself, ‘you can do it, you can do it – just go forward, pass the ball to your teammates to score or I can score’,” she shared in an interview with the-AFC.com. “It did not matter who could score; we just wanted to win the game and we did, so it was very good for us.”

Torkaman’s journey to this moment has been impressive. She noted that it was her first experience playing at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup, and despite the challenges, she and her teammates were elated with their victory. “It was a very tough game for us, and we did not play many games before coming here – just one tournament in Thailand, and many of us are new,” she explained. “But we will aim to score as early as possible in the next match.”

As one of seven debutants in the Iranian squad, Torkaman stands out not just for her age but also for her accomplishments. She is the youngest among her 14 teammates but has already made a significant impact on the national team. Her passion for football began at the young age of eight, inspired by her brother Mehdi. By the age of 11, she was called up to the Under-14 women’s national team and has since participated in several prestigious tournaments, including:

• AFC U-14 Girls’ Regional Championship 2015
• AFC U-16 Women’s Championship 2017 Qualifiers
• AFC U-19 Women’s Championship 2019 Qualifiers

Reflecting on her transition from football to futsal, Torkaman said, “I was addicted to football! After that, I switched to futsal and started to play for the national team and also in the women’s futsal league.” Since making the switch in 2019, she has looked up to Saied Ahmad Abbassi, the 2023 AFC Futsal Player of the Year, as her idol. “I want to become a champion in Asia (so I chose futsal),” she added, highlighting her aspirations for the future.

Iran’s performance in their opening match not only set the tone for the tournament but also showcased the potential of their young talents like Torkaman. As they move forward in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup, fans and analysts alike will be keeping a close eye on this promising player and her teammates. Their resilience and determination in the face of adversity will be crucial as they aim to defend their title and continue their unbeaten streak.

As the competition progresses, it will be interesting to see how Iran adapts and overcomes challenges, especially given their relatively short preparation time. With Torkaman and her teammates eager to prove themselves, the next matches promise to be thrilling encounters that could further elevate their status in women’s futsal.

In summary, Iran’s opening match in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup was not just a test of skill but a demonstration of the spirit and determination that defines the team. With young talents like Maral Torkaman leading the charge, the future looks bright for Iranian women’s futsal as they seek to make their mark on the Asian stage.