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The AFC.comInjury to captain cost us says Kyrgyz coachWednesday, 30 May 2012Dubai: Kyrgyzstan coach Amirzhan Mukanov said that an injury to their captain Nurjan Djetybaev limited his tactical options as the Central Asians went down to a 12th minute strike in their 2012 AFC Futsal Championship quarter-final clash with Japan on Tuesday.
And as the clock at the Al Wasl Indoor Stadium continued to edge ever closer to the final buzzer it was a surprise that Mukanov opted not to employ the power play, which would have given the Central Asians a more attacking threat and a better chance of resurrecting their hopes of a place in Wednesday's semi-finals and a ticket to the World Cup in November.
"We didn't employ the power play because or most important player for this tactic, our captain was injured and we could not execute the move without him," Mukanov explained at the post-match press conference.
"If we did try it then there would be a danger that they would score again and it would be a very different match at 2-0 down than 1-0 down."
The only goal of a tense encounter came in the 12th minute when Rafael Henmi maintained his record of scoring in every game with a powerful long-range drive that the usually dependable Kiril Ermolov deflected into his own net.
"I am very proud of all members of my team. Our goalkeeper made some important saves but it's true his mistake cost us the goal.
"The Japanese team is very strong and there keeper was also very good. They are particularly good at free-kicks and corner-kicks and I am happy that we were able to neutralise this.
"But they deserved the win and I want to congratulate them on reaching the semi-finals and qualifying for the World Cup."
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The AFC.comKeep it tight and fight: KnightWednesday, 30 May 2012Australia triumphant coach Steven Knight believes that local coaches have had their share of good success in this AFC Futsal Championship.
"If you see it, the local coaches have done pretty well and there are some teams with great coaches who falter in the likes of China and Uzbekistan, so it’s good that local coaches also having their say in this Championship,” he said.
“Our journey in this championship is quite encouraging given the resources and support we have had. We have part time players and were trained around 40 hours before the tournament. Even there were some players who failed to make it to the training due to their work commitment.
“With this resources, going to the World Cup and fluttering Australian flag is not a minor thing.”
Knight’s Futsalroos will take on Japan in the semifinal on Wednesday and he is adamant that if they keep things tight at their territory and fight with the Japanese on counter attacking system, they have chances of their own.
“Obviously, it’s going to be tough with Japan but if we keep our discipline and play like how we have been playing in the tournament, there is a chance,” he said.
Australia, Japan, Iran, Kuwait and hosts Thailand will represent Asia in FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 to be held in Thailand later this year.
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The AFC.comThai spirit can take us through insists KritsadaWednesday, 30 May 2012Dubai: Confident Kritsada Wongkaeo says that Thailand are un-intimidated by Iran’s status as overwhelming tournament favourites as the skilful South-East Asians prepare to take on the ten-time champions in Wednesday’s 2012 AFC Futsal Championship quarter-finals.
Kritsada failed to get on the scoresheet but provided a couple of assists as the Thais recovered from Kassem Kawsan’s early double with goals from Jetsada Chudech, Suphawut Thueanklang, Apiwat Chaemcharoen, Nattavut Madyalan and Jirawat Sornwichan took the score to 5-2 before Ali El Homsi netted a late consolation for Lebanon.
“We weren’t worried when we went 2-0 down because we knew that we just had to keep control of the ball, play our own game and press them hard when they were in possession,” Kritsada told www.the-afc.com following their impressive come-from-behind victory.
“We were lucky that we scored quickly and after took control and scored more goals.
“We are not afraid of Iran. We have a strong spirit in this team and with this spirit we will give them a tough fight.”
The 24-year-old netted an impressive 11 times, including a double hat-trick in a 17-2 pummelling of the Philippines, as the Thais eased through the ASEAN Zone qualifiers undefeated before going on to find the net in Thailand’s victories over Turkmenistan and the UAE in the finals.
And the tricky GH Bank RBAC player is seen as one of the shining lights in a young and promising Thailand side that head coach Victor Hermans sees as an ‘unpolished diamond’
“This team is a rough diamond and has so much potential. If they are together for the next four, five, six years then I can see them easily being as good as Iran is now,” said the Dutchman, who is relishing the semi-final with Iran, the nation he guided to glory at the 2001 AFC Futsal Championship.
“The game starts at 0-0. Yesterday, I was afraid that it would all go wrong against Lebanon but you saw the way they played when they were two-goals down and fought back and now I have no fear of Iran.”
“I know Iran and I know the way they play and the difference they have over us is their speed and fitness as professionals, which we don’t have yet, but for sure we will be out to try and win the game.”
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The AFC.comFonseca hails historic qualificationWednesday, 30 May 2012Dubai: Spanish tactician Luis Fonseca's contract with the Kuwait Football Association ended today after he guided Kuwait to the historic berth in the FIFA Futsal World Cup to be held later this year in Thailand.
Under the veteran Spanish tactician, Kuwait played breathtaking futsal and emerged top of Group D where bigwigs like China and Indonesia falter and Uzbekistan fall behind them in pecking order.
“The World Cup was our dream but we were in fact not realistic at all of coming all the way to here before this tournament,” he said.
“We knew the players have the potential and qualities to make Kuwait a stronghold of futsal but the way they played simply deserve congratulations,” Fonseca, who have coached seven top-flight Spanish clubs, said.
“With us booking a place in the World Cup, I have my desire to continue with Kuwait but it’s not official. The Kuwaiti team manager asked all the players today after the Australia match inside the dressing room, and all the players in one voice backed me for the post but nothing is official, we have not talked about the possibility of contract extension so far,” he said.
Kuwait lost to Australia 3-2 in the extra-time but the coach is happy to give tough fight to the Futsalroos and fight till the end. “At the end, due to some technical reason, we did not play well and that is not Kuwait’s style but sorry, we need to be real,” he said.
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The AFC.comThis is the beginning: GiovenaliWednesday, 30 May 2012Dubai: Australia captain Gregory Giovenali hailed his team’s spirit which saw them setting up dates against Japan in the AFC Futsal Championship semifinal and a place in FIFA Futsal World Cup.
“It’s exciting, a team with three months part time training and amateurs players are playing in the World Cup. The credit goes to boys and the gaffer who ensured that we do wonders in this tournament,” said the Futsalroos’ industrious captain.
For Giovenali, to sand aside with Asia’s cream and play the semifinal is itself a big achievement but the FIFA berth in the World Cup has been icing on the cake.
“Now we have convinced people that Australia are serious on futsal, they don’t only play for fun. We came here in Dubai to get at least in the semifinal but not for holiday so now our target is to beat Japan and play in the final.
“This is the beginning. Credit to AFC for organizing these tournaments and credit to Australia futsal, we have climbed up one more step but it does not end here.
“The toughest challenges are ahead and we should not continue like what we have been doing in past, we need to improve and get more serious in futsal.”
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The AFC.comShamsaee wants to win moreWednesday, 30 May 2012Dubai: Iran captain Vahid Shamsaee will turn 38 when Iran will feature in the FIFA Futsal World Cup in November but despite winning numerous titles the hunger is still there.
The Iranian futsal legend, who is leading the Iranians in the AFC Futsal Championship after missing out 2010 finals in Uzbekistan, has not think about hanging his futsal sneaker.
“If I remain fit, get selected and continue playing at the same level than there is no need to retire as I want to win as many titles as possible for my country in the future,” Shamsaee told www.the-afc.com.
Shamsaee was left out from the Iran squad in 2010 and given his brilliant form with Iran Futsal League Champions Sanaye Giti Pasand he is back in the squad with captain’s armband.
“For us Iranians, AFC Futsal Championship is a massive title to win, we have been winning it as habit and don’t want to get rid of that habit. I have gone through very tough training to maintain myself as well as have proven by my club matches to get selected for this competition.”
Shamsaee is set to feature in yet another AFC Futsal championship at club level next month as he helped Sanaye Giti Pasand win the domestic league title and qualify for the tournament proper.
“Yes, I helped them but at the moment the situation is, my contract with Sanaye is finished but if they want my service, I am happy to play for them in the AFC Futsal Club Championship, it’s an honour to play in continental club competition in futsal.”
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Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
