Courtesy: The AFC.com


Crushing defeat for Japan in tune-up

Monday, 17 May 2010

Kobe: Former Asian futsal champions Japan suffered another blow to their preparations for the AFC Futsal Championship (Tashkent; May 23-30) when they lost to Russia 5-1 in their second friendly match Saturday.

The 2006 winners of the Asian title had lost the first match 7-4 three days before in Tokyo.

At the Green Arena here, Russia took control with goals from Ildar Nugumanov (8th), Sergey Abramov (9th) and Danil Kutuzov (12th). The home side managed to score only one goal through Yusuke Komiyama in the 17th minute.

Japan coach Miguel Rodrigo of Spain said: “In the first half, Russia played better but in the second half we played better. We were punished by our mistakes since Russia scored from every one of our mistakes.”

Rodrigo added: “In the AFC Futsal Championship, the first match against China is the most important. I think we can beat any team but we need to play to our strengths.”

Japan have received a relatively easy draw this time with China, Turkmenistan and Iraq.

“I think the level of all participants will be the closest in recent years so every team has chance to win.”

After Japan’s first match with China (May 23), they take on Iraq (24th) and Turkmenistan (25th) with the aim of finishing in the top-two of the table to secure a place in the quarter-finals.


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