Courtesy: Football Asia.com

Favourites reach futsal final four

MACAU - 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.

Defending champions Iran strolled past Kuwait 10-3 to move within sight of a sixth consecutive title, while Uzbekistan squeezed home with a 6-5 win over Korea Republic.

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 Uzbekistan, while Thailand face a daunting clash against defending champions Iran, who have yet to be beaten in the six-year history of the AFC Futsal Championship.

The top three teams in the tournament advance to the FIFA World Futsal Championship 2004, to be held in Chinese Taipei from November 21 to December 5.

World Futsal Championship 2004 - Asian Qualifiers
Quarter-finals
Japan 5 China 2
Thailand 9 Lebanon 3
Iran 10 Kuwait 3
Korea Republic 5 Uzbekistan 6