Courtesy: The AFC.com


Japan will bounce back vows Rodrigo

Saturday, 29 May 2010

Tashkent: Japan will be looking to put their comprehensive semi-final defeat to Iran behind them and return to their dominant form from earlier in the tournament when they tackle China in the third place play-off of the AFC Futsal Championship on Sunday.

The Japanese failed to get on the score sheet for the first time at the tournament as they were simply outclassed by a rampant Iranian side that marched into the final with a 7-0 win at Uzbekistan Sports Complex.

That result brought Japan crashing back down to earth after having looked strong candidates for a seventh final appearance in eight years prior to the match.

Miguel Rodrigo's side eased through Group D with three successive victories and scoring 16 goals while conceding just two.

Japan, who won the tournament when it was last held in Uzbekistan in 2006, then despatched of Kyrgyzstan 4-0 before having their run halted by Iran and Rodrigo is keen to forget about that result and ensure they finish the tournament on a high.

“The Iran game was very difficult,” said the Argentine (Futsalplanet note: or we'd better say... the SPANISH!!).

“We tried to play well but they were very good at making the most of their chances.”

Japan will likely be confident of their chances of claiming third having already beaten China in the group stage with Takanori Kamisawa - arguably their biggest goal threat with five to his name so far – scoring twice in a 5-1 win.

China, meanwhile, fought hard in the last four against an Uzbekistan side who were backed by some 2500 fans.

After producing something of surprise result in the quarter-finals with a 9-2 win over Thailand, China looked on course for another upset as they led the Uzbeks at half-time.

But, with the aid of a vocal home crowd, a strong second-half performance from the hosts saw them win 4-3 and leave China coach Guilherme Da Silveira to contemplate what might have been.

“I was delighted with the atmosphere throughout the match (against Uzbekistan). I can see how the fans are making an invaluable contribution to their team's victory,” he said.

A victory for China against Japan would represent their best-ever result at the AFC Futsal Championship with their previous best finish being fourth place at the 2008 edition in Thailand.





Courtesy: The AFC.com


Uzbek fans a breeze for Iran says Shams

Saturday, 29 May 2010

Tashkent: Coach Hossein Shams warned Uzbekistan that Iran will not be intimidated by a vocal home crowd as the defending champions bid for a 10th AFC Futsal Championship title when they face the tournament hosts at Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Sunday.

The Iranians have swept aside all before them in their run to the final scoring a stunning 49 goals and conceding just six.

Even more impressive is that all this has come despite the absence of futsal legend Vahid Shamsaee, who was omitted from the squad prior to the tournament.

The only AFC Futsal Championship title that has eluded Iran in the last decade came in the 2006 edition, which was won by Japan and also held in Uzbekistan.

The home crowd have provided impressive backing for the Uzbeks throughout this tournament and the beaten coaches of Australia and China both stated that the intimidating atmosphere was a major contribution to their defeats.

But Shams brushed off the concerns and stressed his players are experienced enough to be able to handle the pressure.

“The prospect of a vocal home support does not concern me,” said Shams.

“My players have had to play in many finals where the atmosphere was almost completely behind our rival.

“Each time it did not prevent Iran from becoming the champion of Asia.”

It could be argued that the absence of Shamsaee has enabled the team to strengthen other areas of their game with the rest of the squad coming into their own during this tournament.

Goalkeeper Mostafa Nazari has been particularly impressive and it is partly down to his crucial saves that Iran have managed to frustrate many teams throughout this tournament.

Uzbekistan coach Sergio Sapo, meanwhile, remains unwavering in his belief that the fans can have a major influence on the outcome of the match and has called on them to pack the stands and cheer the hosts to a maiden AFC Futsal Championship title.

The Uzbeks have twice before finished runners-up as they fell just short four years go and at the 2001 tournament, when they lost 9-0 to Iran in Tehran.

But Sapo believes they have a very real chance of victory tomorrow with the backing of Uzbek fans.

“This is going to be a difficult meeting against Iran but the fans support against China was superb and I hope in the final it will be the same, he said.“



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