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The AFC.comKyrgyzstan qualify for semifinals, Australia beat Kuwait23 May 2006 TASHKENT, Uzbekistan: Kyrgyzstan became the first team to qualify for the semifinals of the AFC Futsal Championship here on Tuesday after the Central Asians defeated Lebanon 7-3, rendering inconsequential Australia’s 7-4 victory over Kuwait.
Kyrgyzstan’s 5-1 drubbing of Australia on the opening day will stand them in good stead if the AFC newcomers, who are now on three points, beat Lebanon in the final group encounter on Wednesday, and Kyrgyzstan lose to Kuwait, resulting in a tie. In such an event, Kyrgyzstan will move into the semifinals based on their better head-to-head record.
Lebanon were the ones to nose ahead through Mohamed Itani (9) and it was not until two minutes before the break Kyrgyzstan found their rhythm when Daniar Abdyraimov (18) equalised, and Andrei Pestryakov (18) made it 2-1. Upon restart, coach Nurtazin Djetybaev’s men changed tack, went on the offensive and piled on the goals. Mihail Sundeev (25, 27), Pestryakov (27, 38) and Marat Duvanaev (39) scored to seal Kyrgyzstan’s second consecutive semifinal ticket after Vietnam.
Pulling two goals back for Lebanon were Hayssam Atwi (26) and Khaled Takaji (33).
Kyrgyz coach Djetybaev said there were a few areas on which his men had to work on. “Lebanon is a good team and the game was more equal than the scoreline reflects,” said Djetybaev. “We have observed our weaknesses and will work over it. I am not satisfied with my team’s performance.”
Australia registered their first victory as an Asian team, thanks to goals from Lachlan Wright (5), Andrew Nolan (15, 35, 39), Luke Haydon (19) and Christopher Zeballous (25, 37), On the mark for the losers were Ahmad Humoud (12, 37) and Mansour Al Ajmi (34, 36).
"Compared to our first match we were defended better,” said Australia’s coach Scott Gilligan. “We watched Kuwait in action against Lebanon on the first day and this helped us.”
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The AFC.comUzbekistan, China vying for semifinal berth from Group A23 May 2006TASHKENT, Uzbekistan: Hosts Uzbekistan thrashed Chinese Taipei 6-0 and set up a tantalising final round encounter against China, who beat Malaysia 4-1, to decide the semifinalist from Group A in the AFC Futsal Championship here on Tuesday.
The winner of the Uzbekistan-China clash on Wednesday will go through to the last four where Group C toppers Kyrgyzstan are waiting for them.
With home fans turning out in large numbers at the Yunusabad Sports Complex, the Uzbeks, who made the semifinals in the last edition too, went into the match as favourites but to their consternation found it difficult to breach their rivals’ defence.
The first goal was scored only on 12 minutes by Hurshid Tajibaev and three more had been added before the break by Anvar Mamedov (14), Ilhom Yusupdjanov (14) and Umid Holmatov (17). After the restart, Abdulla Buriev (35) and Farruh Farhutdinov (39) fired two more.
Uzbek Shavkat Abduraimov said his team was surprised initially by the tough resistance offered by Chinese Taipei. “Our players were at a loss till the 10th minute. But overall, I am satisfied with our performance.”
China had little trouble in brushing aside young Malaysia’s feeble challenge. Qihua Yang (9), Zhuoxi Wu (15, 20) and Xin Li (16) found the back of the net for China while Addie Azwan Zainal (23) was Malaysia’s sole goalscorer.
“We played to our best ability though the second half was difficult,” said China coach Zhicheng Zhang. I think Uzbekistan are the strongest team in the group. Tomorrow we enter the field against them not to win but to learn.”
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The AFC.comIran on course for record eighth title24 May 2006TASHKENT, Uzbekistan: Iran stayed on course for a record eighth consecutive AFC Futsal Championship crown after defeating Thailand 6-3 and booking their berth in the semifinals on Tuesday here at the Yunusabad Sports Complex.
In the other inconsequential Group D match, Turkmenistan demolished Indonesia 10-3.
Iran went into the encounter as overwhelming favourites but preferred to play cautiously against their ASEAN rivals, no wonder the memory of last year’s shock 3-3 draw, Team Melli’s first ever in the history of the tournament, still fresh in the minds of Vahid Shamsaee and his teammates.
The Thais went flat out and Panuwat Janta opened the scoring for them in the very first minute, capitalising on some lax Iranian defence. But this was almost immediately neutralised by Shamsaee (2) and the next goal didn’t materialise after some ultradefensive play by both sides till the 18th minute. Prasert Innui scored this one and Thailand had re-established their lead which was however shortlived after Shamsaee netted his brace on the stroke of half time.
The second period saw Iran reasserting their control and camping in the Thai half. But poor finishing and some tight marking meant only Mostafa Nazari (24), Maged Raise (27), Shamsaee (30) and Mohsin Zarei (34) could bulge the net. Sermphan Kurmthinkaew pulled one more goal back for Thailand on 33 minutes.
”We had to change out strategy after the first Thai goal,” said Iran’s coach Jurandir Dutra after the match. “The players were also nervous in the first half and made many mistakes.”
”But we have the kind of players who can decide the outcome of a match. If you ask me, the championship has started only today for us!”
Iran meet the toppers of Group B – either Japan or Tajikistan – in the second semifinal on May 26. Only Japan have defeated Iran in the seven-year-long history of the tournament.
Turkmenistan’s match against Indonesia was only of academic interest but this didn’t prevent the Central Asian team from walloping its rivals. On the mark for Turkmenistan were Agajan Resulov (14), Artur Gevorkyan (7,16,19,30), Aleksandir Sidorov (10,21), Taji Abdullayev (24,32) and Mergen Orazov (38), while Indonesia’s goals came from Israqul Issa (23) and Safarudin (39, 39).
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