Courtesy: Asean Football


THAILAND LOOK TO WIN FIRST EVER AFC FUTSAL CROWN

June 01, 2012

BANGKOK (1 June 2012) – ASEAN powerhouse Thailand will be looking to lift their first ever AFC Futsal Championship crown later today when they take on Japan in the final that will be played at the Al Wasl Stadium in Dubai.

“If we beat Japan in the final and become champions this will boost our confidence when we host the FIFA Futsal World Cup and can inspire us to at least get to the second round,” said talented striker Suphawut Thueanklang.

The Thais, under the guidance of coach Vic Hermans (pix), sidestepped powerhouse Iran 5-4 after extra-time to book their place for the title decider this year.

“This match (against Iran in the semi-final) was unbelievable and the whole team is very proud of what we have achieved so far,” said.

“But we were confident we could win the game as we have great belief in ourselves. We are a young team but we have a great spirit and we all help each other on the court.”

The exciting Thai side went into the semi-finals against defending champions Iran, who were aiming to win their 11th title in 12 tournaments, with the general consensus being that they were the overwhelming outsiders for the final ticket.

With Vahid Shamsaee opening the scoring in the fourth minute before Hossein Tayebi doubled the advantage three minutes later that assessment looked to be a fair one.

However Suphawut struck back instantly to make it 2-1 at the break and after Javad Ashgharimoghaddam had made it 3-1 to Iran, Suphawut reduced the deficit as Jirawat Sornwichian’s effort soon after sent the thrilling semi-final into extra-time.

Apiwat Chaemcharoen gave the Thais a 4-3 lead but in a dramatic end to the absorbing contest Shamsaee equalised before Suphawut sealed the win after missing a penalty seconds earlier.

Suphawut has scored in eight of the nine matches he has played in at the AFC Futsal Championships with Thailand’s 2-0 win over Kyrgyzstan in their Group A opener marking the only game he has failed to find the net.

After scoring six times at the 2010 AFC Championship as the Thais bowed out of the last competition at the quarter-final stage, Suphawut has taken his individual finals tournament tally to 13 (25 if the ASEAN Zone qualifiers are included) following his seven goals during Thailand’s impressive campaign in Dubai.

But perhaps none of the GH Bank RBAC player’s strikes have been more important than his winner against Iran, particularly coming just after he looked to have blown Thailand’s chances after Mostafa Nazari had saved his penalty.

“When I started to take the penalty, I felt all the fans and people back home supporting me must have been disappointed with the miss. But when I scored the winning goal, it was the one of the happiest moments ever,” he added.

The final the AFC Futsal Championship UAE 2012 between Thailand and Japan will kick-off at 1930.



Courtesy: Asean Football


THAILAND DENIED AS JAPAN LIFT AFC FUTSAL CROWN

June 02, 2012

BANGKOK (2 June 2012) – Thailand were denied the crown in the AFC Futsal Championship 2012 when they failed to stop a romping Japanese side from scoring a 6-1 victory in the final that was played last night at the Al Wasl Indoor Stadium. The victory was Japan’s second in 12 editions.

Kenichiro Kogure had given the 2006 winners the lead just four minutes in before Kritsada Wongkaeo drew Thailand level in the 11th minute. Wataru Kitahara then restored Japan’s advantage with five minutes of the half remaining as the East Asians went into the break 2-1 up.

An error from Thai keeper Surapong Tompa led to the indirect free-kick from which Kotaro Inababa extended Japan’s lead midway through the second period before Rafael Henmi, keeper Hisamitsu Kawahara and Tetsuya Murakami added further goals as Thailand’s power play backfired badly.

Thailand went into the game buoyed by their epic 5-4 extra-time victory over Iran that ended their chances of an 11th title in 12 tournaments while Japan advanced with a 3-0 win over Australia that had Japan coach Miguel Rodrigo expressing concerns over his side’s inability to convert scoring opportunities into goals.




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