Courtesy: The AFC.com


‘New challenge awaits,’ stresses Shams

Friday, 05 March 2010

Esfahan: Foolad Mahan coach Hossein Shams has warned his side that the AFC Futsal Club Championship will pose a different challenge to anything they have experienced before ahead of their Group A opener against AUB Altyn Tash Bishkek from Kyrgyzstan at Pirouzi Stadium in Esfahan on Friday.

While domestic leagues and the international championship have been going for some years, this is the first time a continental tournament has been held at club level in Asia.

Iran are traditionally strong at futsal and Foolad possess one the world's greatest players in Vahid Shamsaee but Shams stressed international form counts for nothing in this competition.

"Previously there was only the national team futsal championship but now that we have one at club level is good progress for Asia," said Shams.

"This is a strong event and we cannot underestimate the quality of the teams and I believe this will be tougher than the tournament at national team level.

"They (Tash Bishkek) are a strong team but Foolad have ambitions of the title. The players must have a different mentality for this tournament as it is completely different from international and league futsal."

Shamsaee, who is futsal's top international goal scorer of all time, believes the fact teams have strengthened their squads specifically for the AFC Futsal Club Championship can only be good for its development throughout Asia.

"This is the first tournament at club level and it is good to see teams investing in good players," he said.

"We are here to win the title and we heavily rely upon the support of the fans."

Tash Bishkek coach Oleg Gevlenko believes there is very little to separate the teams and is expecting some close-fought matches ahead.

With the nine top club sides across Asia taking part, each team is eager to claim their place in history by becoming the first-ever AFC Futsal Club Championship winners.

"All the teams have prepared well," said Gevlenko. "They all have top international players in their side and are taking it very seriously.

"We are glad to be here in Iran and I wish all the very best to all the participating teams."




Courtesy: The AFC.com


Victorious Sadd must still step up says Ribeiro

Friday, 05 March 2010

Esfahan: Al Sadd coach Fabiano Ribeiro has demanded an even better performance from his players as they look to claim a second successive win in the AFC Futsal Club Championship against NSW Thunder on Friday and close in on a place in the semi-finals.

The Qataris defeated Pro’s Cafe 8-6 in a thrilling end-to-end encounter at Pirouzi Stadium to get their Group B campaign off to the ideal start.
NSW Thunder, meanwhile, were edged 4-3 by Chinese side Wuhan Dilong and will be determined to get off the mark against Al Sadd.

And while Riberio admitted he is unsure what to expect from the Australians, he knows his side can play even better than they did against the Lebanese side.

“Every game here will be very different,” said the Brazilian.

“Against Pro's Cafe we had some information about them but we don't know much about NSW Thunder, we will have to watch them to get an idea of how they play and then work out a strategy to play them.”

NSW Thunder coach Jamie Amendolia is also looking for an improved display after his side failed to make chances count against Wuhan Dilong, but knows it will not be easy against Al Sadd.

“I think all teams in this tournament will be hard,” he said.

“Al Sadd look very sharp and very mobile and good on the ball. I expect it will be as tough if not tougher than against Wuhan.”

Pro's Cafe will be looking to bounce back from their opening defeat to Al Sadd when they tackle Port Authority of Thailand in the group's other game.

The Lebanese side had dominated the first half against Al Sadd but the Qataris came out strong after the break and coach Rabih Abou Chaaya admitted his side need to become more focussed during games.

“The worst point about our play against Al Sadd was that we were thinking too much about what was coming after the game and the results we needed,” he said.

“From now we will only think of each game as they come and take things steady as we look to qualify.”

Port Authority will be the fresher of the two sides having had an extra day to prepare due to not being in action on Thursday.

However, coach Udom Taveesuk is not expecting any easy games although has set his sights on achieving a place in the last four at the least.

“This will be a very difficult game,” he said.

“It is the first time this tournament has been held so we don't know what to expect from it.

“Our target is to get through to the semi-finals.”




Courtesy: The AFC.com


Al Sadd (QAT) 11-3 NSW Thunder (AUS)

Friday, 05 March 2010

Esfahan: Al Sadd continued their perfect start to the inaugural AFC Futsal Club Championship with an emphatic 11-3 win over NSW Thunder at Pirouzi Stadium on Friday.

The Qataris dominated the first half to head into the break with a 6-1 lead and despite a spirited revival from their opponents in the second half, their ability told as they strengthened their place at the top of Group B.

Al Sadd opened the scoring after four minutes through Kamyab Zahir before extending their lead when Mohssein Amro's clever through ball enabled Errahmouni Bilal to chip home.

NSW Thunder fell further behind in the ninth minute when Bilal's fancy footwork drew keeper Peter Spathis into committing a foul on the edge of the area and Xavier Rodrigo hit the resultant free-kick into the roof of the net.

The Australians were still creating chances and should have pulled a goal back after 13 minutes but Adrian Vizzari shot over before his vicious strike was palmed away by Faraj Rashid.

But for all their attacking endeavour they were always in danger of being caught out in defence and so it proved with three minutes of the half remaining when Zahir rolled the ball into the empty net from Mohammed Al Kubaisi's pass.

The Australians pulled one back soon after through Christopher Zeballos but Al Sadd responded immediately with strikes from Bilal and Al Kubaisi to make it 6-1 at the break.

NSW Thunder came out fighting after the restart and immediately scored when Mustafa Alpkaya swept home before he grabbed another in the 26th minute to give the Australians hope.

But their chances of a revival were ended when Zahir converted a direct free-kick with seven minutes remaining before Rodrigo's audacious lob from his own half nestled in the back of NSW Thunder's net.

The Australians clearly tired in the final few minutes and Al Sadd added further goals from Al Kubaisi, Ebrahim Al Najjar and Zahir to complete the rout.




Courtesy: The AFC.com


Al Sadd have set their standard says Ribeiro

Friday, 05 March 2010

Esfahan: Al Sadd coach Fabiano Ribeiro feels the all round performance from his side in the 11-3 AFC Futsal Club Championship victory over NSW (New South Wales) Thunder is the level he is expecting in their remaining two group games.

The Qataris dominated for large spells of the game at Pirouzi Stadium with their superior skill and ability proving too much for their Australian opponents.

The win was their second in as many games and puts them firmly on target for a place in the last four of the tournament.

And though Ribeiro was delighted with the display from his side, he stressed the score line did not truly reflect the ability of NSW Thunder.

“I am very happy again,” said Ribeiro (pictured).

“This score line was very good for us but it doesn't really represent the game itself and how difficult it was to beat the Australian team.

“I am very satisfied with the performance because on Thursday we did not have a good first half (against Pro's Cafe) but today they concentrated very well.”

NSW Thunder coach Jamie Amendolia admitted the glaring difference between a professional futsal side and an amateur one was there for all to see.

“I think today we played against a very good team,” he said.

“We can see the difference between a team that plays in a professional league and a team that is amateur. There is a big difference in skill, speed and intensity.”

Despite the result – their second successive defeat after losing to Chinese side Wuhan Dilong on Thursday – Amendolia believes NSW Thunder still have every chance of achieving a top-two spot.

"There were periods when I was very happy with the side,” he added.

“When we came out in the second half we played well, it was only towards the end when we pushed for goals that we conceded.

“In the first half, apart from the last five to six minutes where we had a lapse in concentration, we competed with them.

“But we offer no excuses for the game. We were beaten by a much better side.”


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com