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The AFC.comCHN 1-6 JPN: Déjà vu for East AsiansSunday, 30 May 2010Tashkent: Japan secured third place at the AFC Futsal Championship 2010 after beating China 6-1 at Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Sunday.
After being comprehensively beaten 7-0 by defending champions Iran in Friday's semi-final, Kensuke Takahashi's first-half brace set Miguel Rodrigo's side on their way as Japan claimed third for a second consecutive tournament after also beating China 5-3 in the 2008 third place play-off.
China, though, failed to bounce back after being edged out 4-3 by hosts Uzbekistan three days earlier and could only muster Jie Hu's goal at the start of the second half.
Takahashi opened the scoring after just four minutes but Japan had to wait 11 minutes for the striker to double the advantage five minutes before half-time.
But just a minute later Tetsuya Murakami struck a third for Japan to establish a commanding lead at the break.
China, who were looking to claim their best ever finish at the AFC Futsal Championship after finishing fourth place two years ago in Thailand, were given a glimmer of hope with Jie’s strike a minute after the break but Japan regained their advantage three minutes later through Nobuya Osodo before substitute Mitsuyoshi Matsumiya stretched the advantage after 27 minutes.
In the last minute Manabu Takita's penalty kick sealed the win for Japan, who won the tournament when it was last held in Uzbekistan in 2006, as Rodrigo's side gained some consolation following their crushing semi-final defeat by Iran.
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The AFC.comUZB 3-8 IRN: Imperious Iran retain titleSunday, 30 May 2010Tashkent: Iran scored five unanswered goals in the second half to retain the AFC Futsal Championship title after beating hosts Uzbekistan 8-3 at Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Sunday.
Masoud Daneshvar, Ali Asghar and Majid Raeisi each scored twice for Hossein Shams' Iran, who claimed a 10th title after winning all six games in Tashkent scoring 57 goals and conceding just nine.
Nodir Elibaev scored in each half for Uzbekistan after Dilshod Irsaliev had given the hosts a second-minute lead and hope of a maiden AFC Futsal Championship title, but Iran scored five unanswered goals in the second half to force Sergio Sapo's side to settle for a third runners-up finish since 2001.
Uzbekistan took a surprise second-minute lead through Irsaliev and held a 2-1 advantage after five minutes with Elibaev adding a second for the hosts before substitute Javad Asgharimoghaddam found a response for Iran.
But after Raeisi equalised for Iran after 12 minutes, Mohammad Taheri handed the defending champions the lead for the first time a minute before the break.
Elibaev pulled the hosts back on level terms just two minutes after the break only for Daneshvar's first of the night to regain the lead for Iran just a minute later.
Raeisi doubled the advantage two minutes later before Asghar scored twice in three minutes to put Iran four goals ahead with 12 minutes remaining.
And Daneshvar's second four minutes later sealed the win as Iran, whose only failure to win the AFC Futsal Championship title over the last decade came in the 2006 edition in Uzbekistan, eased to victory.
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The AFC.comRodrigo targets 2012Sunday, 30 May 2010Tashkent: Japan coach Miguel Rodrigo is already dreaming about the final at the next AFC Futsal Championship after claiming third place at the 2010 edition with a 6-1 win over China at Uzbekistan Sports Complex on Sunday.
Kensuke Takahashi scored twice in the first half as Japan, who won the tournament when it was last held in Uzbekistan in 2006, bounced back from Friday's 7-0 semi-final defeat by rampant defending champions Iran to finish third for a second consecutive tournament.
Tetsuya Murakami added to Japan's half-time lead and after Jie Hu grabbed China's consolation at the start of the second half, Nobuya Osodo, Mitsuyoshi Matsumiya and Manabu Takita wrapped up the win for Rodrigo's side in the second half.
“To be honest, I expected the match with China would be more difficult but they were struggling to recover following their semi-final defeat by Uzbekistan and after we scored the fourth goal, the result was decided,” said the Spaniard.
“Now, I hope that at the next championships we will play in the final.”
Despite failing to achieve their best ever result as the AFC Futsal Championship after finishing fourth in 2008, China coach Guilherme Da Silveira was delighted with the week in Tashkent.
“Our goal was to reach the quarter-finals so we had already achieved more,” said Da Silveira.
“We were among the four strongest teams in Asia which for us is certainly a joyous occasion.
“I would like to thank the players for their efforts during the championship.”
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The AFC.comTwo for Taheri in Iran clean sweepSunday, 30 May 2010Tashkent: Mohammad Taheri was named Most Valuable Player and top goal scorer at the AFC Futsal Championship 2010 after scoring 13 goals for free-scoring champions Iran, who completed a clean sweep of the accolades after also being handed the Fair Play Award.
Taheri scored once in Sunday's 8-3 final victory over hosts Uzbekistan with Masoud Daneshvar adding a brace to claim second place on the leading marksmen list with 11 goals in six games.
Taheri made a flying start to the tournament with seven goals in Iran's 19-2 opening day win over Tajikistan before adding a brace in the 9-3 victory over Australia.
Another brace in the 7-0 win over Kuwait, which secured top spot in Group B, soon followed before Taheri scored in the 7-1 quarter-final win over Lebanon.
Taheri did not find the net in the 7-0 semi-final victory over Japan before handing Iran a 3-2 half-time lead in the final against Uzbekistan a minute before the break.
With Hossein Shams' Iran netting 57 goals in six games in Uzbekistan, Mostafa Tayyebi and Mohammadreza Zahmatkesh joined China's Zhang Xi on seven goals.
Uzbekistan's Nodir Elibaev, who scored twice in the final defeat by Iran, finished tied alongside Australia's Tomas Rogic and Thailand's Suphawut Thueanklang with six goals.
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The AFC.comShams never in doubt despite early setbackSunday, 30 May 2010Tashkent: Coach Hossein Shams had every confidence in Iran as the defending champions came from behind against hosts Uzbekistan to win the AFC Futsal Championship 2010 title after hitting five unanswered goals in the second half to secure an 8-3 victory.
Iran were 2-0 behind as Dilshod Irsaliev and Nodir Elibaev struck for Uzbekistan inside the first five minutes at Uzbekistan Sports Complex, but after taking a 3-2 lead at half-time, Iran eased to a 10th title.
Masoud Daneshvar, Ali Asghar and Majid Raeisi each scored twice for Iran, while Javad Asgharimoghaddam and tournament top scorer and Most Valuable Player Mohammad Taheri were also on target for Shams' side, who plundered 57 goals in six games.
“Two quick goals by Uzbekistan caught us by surprise, but despite that, I was convinced the result would go in our favour,” said Shams.
“We have been faced with difficult situations in the past and every time it has failed to break our spirit.”
Uzbekistan coach Sergio Sapo, meanwhile, acknowledged the hosts were beaten by the better team after missing out on a maiden AFC Futsal Championship title and being forced to settle for a third runners-up finish since 2001.
“We expected a difficult match in the final as Iran is the best team in Asia,” said Sapo.
“We started very well with two early goals, but Iran's individual skill prevailed.
“I would like to thank the fans who came to support us throughout the tournament. The second place is to their credit.”
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