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The AFC.comJapan, China on Group D Futsal missionSaturday, 22 May 2010Tashkent: Japan and China are set to battle for the top two positions in Group D of the AFC Futsal Championship in the Uzbek capital.
This is the verdict of the coaches of Japan and China, whose players must also contend with Iraq and Turkmenistan.
On Sunday’s opening day of matches, Japan take on China in the crunch game and Turkmenistan face Iraq, both at the IT University Complex.
“We are playing China in our first game and this is a very important match for us,” said Japan coach Miguel Rodrigo. “Both Japan and China are very strong and we will probably be the main contenders to qualify from the group.”
He found no arguments from his China counterpart Guilherme Franco, who said: “I agree with my colleague. I think the fight will be between China and Japan.
“I want to say that the Japanese team will be very difficult to play with.”
Japan are the only team to have gotten the better of nine-time Asian champions Iran when the tournament was also played in Uzbekistan in 2006.
For Turkmenistan and Iraq, a quarter-final place remains a target but the main focus will be providing the players with experience playing at international level.
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The AFC.comThais, Kyrgyz ready despite domestic issuesSaturday, 22 May 2010Tashkent: The coaches of Group C contenders Thailand and Kyrgyzstan said political problems back home will have little impact on their performances at the AFC Futsal Championship, which kicks off on Sunday in the Uzbek capital.
At the pre-tournament press conference, the Group C rivals are confident of producing their best, despite the disruptions caused in their countries by political issues.
Also in the group are Korea Republic and Vietnam.
“Yes, we have a complicated political situation in our country, but this did not prevent us from preparing as best as we can for the tournament,” said Thai coach Jose Maria Pazos Mendez.
“This is not an easy group but we will do everything possible to stay in Tashkent as long as we can.”
Kyrgyzstan coach Amirzhan Mukanov said his country’s football association did its best to provide optimum training conditions ahead of the tournament.
“Of course, recent events in our country could not but affect the players,” he said. “But despite all the problems, our federation has managed to provide us with all the necessary facilities and support so we can arrive in Tashkent with the best possible frame of mind.”
For Vietnam coach Sergio Gargelli, the aim is to get into the semi-finals by finishing in the top two of the group while Korea Republic coach Lee Chang-hwan said his team have only modest expectations and are mainly in Tashkent for the experience.
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The AFC.comHosts Uzbekistan ready for Group A battleSaturday, 22 May 2010Tashkent: Hosts Uzbekistan are overwhelming favourites to win Group A and advance to the quarter-finals of the AFC Futsal Championship.
The Uzbeks open their campaign on Sunday against Lebanon while Chinese Taipei face Indonesia in the other Group A match.
While rival coaches talk of Uzbekistan as the team to beat, the home team coach Sergio Sapo preferred to play down his side’s chances.
“I don’t want to make any predictions,” said Sapo. “I believe all teams in this group have an equal chance of making it to the next stage.”
Lebanon coach Dori Zakhour said his team know the obstacles when they face Uzbekistan on Sunday.
“Unfortunately, our first game is against the masters of this tournament,” he said. “This means we will face not only the team but also several thousand supporters.”
Indonesian coach Robbie Hartono said: “Uzbekistan are definitely the favourites. They have a very good coach and always do well in this tournament.
“But I think we have a chance of getting to the quarter-finals and we will do our best to achieve that target.”
Chinese Taipei head coach Chen Kuei-Jen also looked to the Uzbeks as standard-bearers in the group.
Said Chen: “Like my colleagues, I believe that Uzbekistan are the strongest team in the group. We are here to gain as much experience as we can.”
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The AFC.comIran coach confident, even without ShamsaeeSaturday, 22 May 2010Tashkent: Iran coach Hossein Shams said his team are still among the favourites to lift the title at the AFC Futsal Championship despite the absence of star player Vahid Shamsaee.
Shamsaee, the recent MVP at the AFC Futsal Club Championship, was omitted from Shams’ squad as Iran seek their 10th continental title.
Iran are in Group B with Australia, Kuwait and Tajikistan.
However, the coach, who has a tense relationship with the player, said Shamsaee still has a future with the national team.
“Shamsaee is one of the best players in the world,” said Shams. “But we work for the future and therefore Shansaee must give his place to a younger player.
“But this does not mean he would never play for the national team again. There is the World Cup in 2012 and he should be preparing for that.
“If he is still in good physical shape then, he will be picked.”
Iran are the hot favourites to win the group, though the Aussies, Kuwait and Tajikistan will be doing their best to upset the defending champions and secure their places in the quarter-finals.
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