BEIJING, Sept. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Iran's football players have expressed their thanks to the hosts by hanging out a banner saying "Thank you, China" at the Paralympic Games in Beijing.

    Before Iran started the match against Ukraine in the Football 7-a-Side competitin on Friday, its goalkeeper Ardeshir Mahini held up the jersey-sized thank-you banner which reads in Chinese.

    The Chinese spectators reciprocated the players' move with enthusiastic cheers and applause.

    Iran lost to Ukraine 0-4.

    After the match, Mahini said, "The banner is to show our affection for China, because the Chinese people have been so enthusiastic during the competitions. We like this place, so we got this idea."

    "In fact, we often watched the Chinese TV series and movies in our country, and have a favorable impression about China. Therefore, we used this banner to show our gratitude," he added.

    Iranian players' friendly gesture is not the first during the Beijing Paralympics. On Spet. 7, the Sweden wheelchair basket team also held up a banner saying "Thank you, China" after winning their competition.