Courtesy: The AFC.com

Japan avenge defeat to Argentina

6 May 2007

OSAKA: AFC Futsal Player of the Year Kenichiro Kogure was on the mark as Asian futsal champions Japan took revenge by beating Argentina 1-0 in the last of their two-match friendly series here at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium on Saturday.


After a scoreless first half, Kogure, who plays for Spainish outfit Clipeus Nazareno, hit the only goal of the game from the left side in the 35th minute.


Two days earlier, the Asian champions, who are also hosting this edition of the AFC Futsal Championship (May 13-19), had lost to the same rivals 4-2 in Kobe.


Japan’s Brazilian coach Sapo said after the match: “Our performance was very good today compared to the first match and we won. It was a good match.”


This was the last preparatory friendly for Sapo’s charges who kick off their title defence on 13th May against the Philippines in Group A which also comprises Hong Kong and Tajikistan.




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