Iran will be without star player Vahid Shamsaee when they vie for glory at the AFC Futsal Championship 2010 in Uzbekistan this month.

Shamsaee, player of the tournament for the recent AFC Futsal Club Championship, was omitted from the Iran squad for the May 20-30 event.

It was in Uzbekistan in 2006 that nine-time champions Iran failed for the first time to take the continental title.

They are hoping to make amends this year but must do so without Shamsaee, the 2007 and 2008 AFC Futsal Player of the Year.

After originally leaving him out of the team, Iran tried to re-instate Shamsaee but their application was rejected by AFC because the deadline for squad confirmation had passed.

Shamsaei was captain of the Fooland Mahan Sepahan side who won the AFC club title in March, when he also finished as top scorer.

After the tournament, the 34-year-old spoke to the-afc.com about his hopes for the Uzbekistan challenge, saying: “I have the hunger. I want another trophy, another MVP and another top goal-scorer’s title.”

Shamsaee has won almost every title and honour the game has to offer in Asia, as well as being included in the FIFA All Star team after the 2008 World Cup in Brazil.