Courtesy: The AFC.com


Mistakes will undo Thais warns Mendez

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Tashkent: Thailand coach Jose Mandez feels his side need to cut out the mistakes they made in their final group match against Vietnam if they are to have a chance of beating China in the quarter-finals of the AFC Futsal Championship 2010 at Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Thursday.

The Thais ensured they finished their Group C campaign with three wins from three by beating South East Asia rivals Vietnam 5-2 on Tuesday.

Thailand are regarded as one of Asia's strongest futsal sides but have yet to secure an AFC Futsal Championship title in 10 attempts.

Their best performance came in 2008 when they stormed to the final with five successive victories, including a semi-final win over China, but lost 4-0 to nine-time champions Iran.

And Mandez fears they could fall just short once again unless they stop making unforced errors during matches.

“We had a very bad game (against Vietnam) and I am ashamed about that,” he said.

"Speaking about our upcoming opponent, I would like to say that they are certainly one of the best teams in the Asian futsal. In 2008, we met with China in the semi-finals, and it took us a lot of strength to beat them.

"This match will be very unpredictable so I cannot say who will win yet."

Mendez's counterpart Guilherme Da Silveira believes the match promises to be a thrilling affair.

China finished second in Group D with two wins and one defeat but almost missed out on a place in the last eight as they allowed Iraq to stage a late fight-back in their final group game on Tuesday.

China were leading 7-2 with six minutes remaining but took their foot off the pedal and Iraq took full advantage with four goals in five minutes to set-up a tense finish.

However, China did enough to hold out for the final whistle and secure a 7-6 win, and though Da Silveira is hopeful a repeat of that second-half will not happen against Thailand, he is confident there will be plenty of goals in the game.

"Regardless of the outcome of the match on Thursday, the spectators will watch a beautiful game played between two great teams," he said.

"This is because both sides have a very attacking style of play."





Courtesy: The AFC.com


We’re up against the best admits Mukanov

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Tashkent: Kyrgyzstan coach Amirzhan Mukanov knows his side will have to be at their best if they are to defeat Japan at Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Thursday and seal a place in the semi-finals of the AFC Futsal Championship 2010.

The Central Asians secured their place in the quarter-finals against the odds due to their country's political situation having made preparations difficult.

Mukanov's side took second place in Group C as they bounced back from an opening day defeat to eventual group winners Thailand with a win over Vietnam before drawing 4-4 with Korea Republic.

That point ensured they pipped Vietnam to the last eight but face a tough task against a Japan side that have yet to drop a point and have only conceded two goals so far while scoring 16.

And Mukanov is well aware of the tough challenge that awaits his players.

"The match against Japan is probably one of the most important for us," he said.
"We must be realistic and recognise the superiority of our opponent but we have hope of reach the semi-finals."

Mukanov hopes the game will not prove as tense as the one against Korea Republic, however, with that game capable of going either way right to the final whistle.

“The game (against Korea Republic) turned out a very good one for the fans but we could not wait for it to end,” he added.

Japan coach Miguel Rodrigo is also hopeful the game will not will be a close one after his side were frustrated by a resilient Turkmenistan in their final Group D game.

The Japanese had not scored less than five goals in their previous two games but could only manage to the put the ball in the back of Turkmenistan net on one occasion with Takanori Kamisawa scoring the game's only goal in the 11th minute.

And while Rodrigo is hoping for a more open game, he expects Kyrgyzstan to prove their most difficult opponent yet.

"I am very impressed with Kyrgyzstan, especially their coach who has a vast tactical knowledge," he said.

"Each time a team uses tactics like Kyrgyzstan it creates a lot of trouble for the opponent. So I can say that this will be our hardest match."




Courtesy: The AFC.com


Knight vows fight for Futsalroos’ first

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Tashkent: Australia coach Steven Knight vowed his side will fight until the very end as the Futsalroos bid for a first-ever appearance in the semi-finals of the AFC Futsal Championship when they tackle 2010 hosts Uzbekistan at Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Thursday.

The Australians have only taken part in three previous editions of the tournament and though they have reached the knock-out stage twice before, they have yet to progress to the last four.

They were drawn in a tough Group B for this edition which included defending champions and nine-time winners Iran as well as Tajikistan and Kuwait.

But Australia more than held their own in the group with their only defeat coming against the Iranians and they undoubtedly gave Hossein Shams' charges their toughest test yet.

And Knight hailed his young players for having not looked out of place at the tournament and is confident they will give their all against the Uzbeks.

“Playing Uzbekistan is extremely difficult, they are the hosts of this tournament and will have the support of many fans so that makes our task twice as hard," he said.

"Be that as it may, we hope for a positive result."

Uzbekistan coach Sergio Sapo warned his players not to underestimate their opponents.

The Central Asians won all three matches in Group A as they secured first place but they have yet to run away with game with their biggest victory margin being just three goals, when they beat Chinese Taipei 4-1 in their final Group A game on Tuesday.

Uzbekistan are hoping to reach the final for the first time since 2006 and for only the third time in history but Sapo knows it will not easy against Australia.

"We have a big responsibility for our fans," he said. "The Australia team is no longer like they were in previous tournaments and I believe they are one of the most progressive in Asia.

"Nevertheless for us to achieve our goal we must win."




Courtesy: The AFC.com


There’s more to come insists Iran coach

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

Tashkent: Despite being satisfied with Iran's performance in their final AFC Futsal Championship 2010 group game against Kuwait, coach Hossein Shams is confident the defending champions can still play even better ahead of their quarter-final meeting with Lebanon at Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Thursday.

Iran are heavily tipped to secure a 10th Asian title and did little to discredit those claims by storming into the last eight with three wins from three.

The Iranians – ranked fifth in the world – are the tournament's top scorers with a stunning 35 goals and have conceded just five, but regardless of those impressive statistics, Shams had not been happy with the performance of his side in the first two games.

The Iranian coach was finally smiling after their final Group B game against Kuwait, however, as his side romped to a comfortable 7-0 victory and he believes there is more to come from his side.

“I do not think that this (performance against Kuwait) is our limit. We can expect more,” he said.

Despite Iran’s emphatic form in Tashkent, Shams, who was part of the coaching team that helped Iranian side Foolad Mahan Sepahan claim the inaugural AFC Futsal Club Championship title in March, is refusing to underestimate a Lebanon side he feels is improving considerably.

"I have followed the Lebanese team and over the past two years they have grown in just an unimaginable way.

"Those who believe it will be easy against Lebanon are very much mistaken."

Lebanon coach Dory Zakhour is under know illusions as to the difficulty of the task his side faces as they look to cause an upset by beating Iran.

The Lebanese are bidding for revenge after they lost to Iran at the same stage of the AFC Futsal Championship two years ago, suffering a 9-1 defeat.

Not only did Iran not lose a game on the road to the final of that tournament but they also conceded just three goals throughout.

And though they odds may seem stacked against his side, Zakhour promised that his players will not hide from the task at hand.

"Probably everyone thinks that this is the most predictable quarter-final," he said. "Indeed, we are playing against the top team in the continent, but nevertheless it does not mean that we are ready to surrender without a fight.

"The fact are that it will be hard, no doubt, but we will fight till the last."



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