Courtesy:
Football Asia.comFavourites advance to futsal semi-finalsMACAU - Japan and Thailand advanced to the last four of the of the Asian Qualifiers - World Futsal Championship 2004 with straightforward quarter-final victories at the Pavilhae Polidesportivo Stadium on Friday.
Japan, runners-up to Iran in the last two editions of the AFC Futsal Championship, were pushed hard by China but eventually prevailed 5-2, while the Thais brushed aside the challenge of Lebanon with a 9-3 victory.
The Japanese found themselves pegged back to 2-2 early in the second half by the Chinese as goals by Yang Qihua and Yang Du cancelled out earlier strikes by Kenichiro Kogure and Osamu Nambata.
However, Daisuke Ono netted a brace of goals and Kenta Fuji added Japan's fifth goal to end China's brave challenge.
Meanwhile, Thailand had few problems against the Lebanese as they raced to a 3-1 half-time lead before sealing the match with six goals in the second half. Pattaya Piemkum scored a hat-trick while Anucha Nueangkord added two for the Thais, who have finished third at the last two AFC Futsal Championhips.
In Saturday's semi-finals, Japan will meet the winners of the Korea Republic-Uzbekistan quarter-final clash, while Thailand take on either defending champions Iran or Kuwait.
The top three teams in the tournament will advance to the FIFA World Futsal Championship 2004, to be held in Chinese Taipei from November 21 to December 5.
World Futsal Championship Asian Qualifiers
Quarter-finals
Japan 5 China 2
Thailand 9 Lebanon 3
Iran v Kuwait
Korea Republic v Uzbekistan
