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The AFC.comAFC Futsal Championship: Thailand maintain charge as Uzbeks get back on track14 May 2007 OSAKA: Two-time AFC Futsal Championship finalists Uzbekistan have kept their hopes alive of making it to the knock-out stage with a 4-0 win over Kuwait while Thailand inched closer to the last eight phase beating Iraq 7-4 at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium here on Monday.
Abdulla Buriev and Ilhom Yusupdjanov netted the Uzbeks’ first goals from open play at the tournament in the first half, before Farruh Zakirov and Buriev again added goals in the second.
Uzbekistan’s shock defeat to Iraq yesterday was their first opening day loss at the Championships since 2002 and coach Damir’s charges seemed hell bent on restoring their battered pride.
Opponents Kuwait were competitive throughout and possibly misrepresented by the margin of the defeat – in accordance with their earlier performance against group high flyers Thailand.
However, there was to be no denying the wounded Uzbeks, who now go into tomorrow’s match up with Thailand with a genuine chance of progression to the final eight should they claim maximum points.
Conversely, Kuwait’s second consecutive loss, and second consecutive match without scoring a goal, confirms that they will be among the first teams to depart Japan following tomorrow’s matches.
“I must say that today’s game was very difficult,” said Uzbekistan assistant coach Pavel Bezglyadnov.
“I feel that the level of Asian futsal is becoming better, we’ve played Kuwait previously, but it was much easier.”
“After our loss yesterday, all of our players tried very hard to win and were rewarded with three points.”
In the same group, Thailand all but secured their quarterfinal berth after downing Iraq 7-4.
Ekkaphan Suratsawang’s first half hat trick was added to by Sermphan Khumthinkaew and Ekapong Suratsawang – captain Panuwat Janta netted two.
Iraq’s tally came from outstanding 24-year-old striker Hashim Kadhim – arguably the standout player of the tournament thus far, who claimed his third goal of the meet in the 20th minute, along with Hussein Ali, Abdul Karim Radi and an own goal by Thai captain Janta.
Despite flashes of individual brilliance from Hashim and strike partner Abdul Karim, Thailand were always in charge of a match they controlled from the outset with their efficient passing and inventive interplay.
Iraq were left to lament the loss of suspended goalkeeper Utayl Abdulqader, whose performance against Uzbekistan yesterday was one of the outstanding individual contributions of the first day of competition.
Aside from Utayl’s forced absence, Iraq were an unchanged side from that which upset Uzbekistan 3-1 twenty hours earlier, while Thailand coach Pattaya Piemkum kept faith with his starting five that had trounced Kuwait 8-0 in the opening match of Group B.
“Each game is very different and each game we encounter different tactics from opposition teams, for instance today against Iraq was very physical and they played the long ball quite a lot,” said Thailand boss Piemkum after the match.
“There were times in the first and second half where we lost our balance and concentration, but we adjusted things and put together a good performance.”
Iraq’s third strike of the match, scored by Abdul Karim, was their landmark 100th goal in the history of the Championships.
Ultimately though, the Iraqi number ten and his team mates were unable to prevent Thailand extend their streak of positive results against Iraq, which now reads four wins from four attempts.
Such has been the manner of Thailand’s performances over the opening match day’s, the recently crowned ASEAN futsal champions will be confident be improving upon their previous best Championships finish -third place in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Next up for Thailand is Uzbekistan, who may require no less than a win to have a chance of qualifying for the second stage, while Iraq can all but confirm their appearance in the quarter finals with three points against Kuwait.
AFC Futsal Championship: Lebanon stay alive as Iran cruise to big win14 May 2007 AMAGASAKI: Lebanon kept alive their hopes of a place in the knockout stage of the AFC Futsal Championship from Group D with a 4-2 win over China here on Monday even as seven-time champions Iran virtually booked their place in the next round with an effortless 15-1 mauling of Malaysia.
Lebanon went into the match with confidence after a brave but losing performance against Iran. They needed a win and played well to get the result. They won narrowly and with Malaysia as their final group match tomorrow they would be fancying their chances to advance.
This match was important to both teams for different reasons. Lebanon had lost to powerhouse Iran, whereas China beat Malaysia, the team least expected to progress.
This match started with both teams going for broke. There was plenty of action at both ends. In the early going both teams were limited to long range shots.
Lebanon relied on Khaled Takaji while China on the other hand favored a more team oriented playing style.
The first 10 minutes of the match were almost even with both teams getting some shots on target. The breakthrough came from Lebanon's Khaled Takaji around the 10 minute mark when he scored on a powerful and well placed long range shot.
Lebanon now seemed to have more confidence and carried on attacking and got lucky as China conceded an own goal from a cross. This second goal changed the game as now Lebanon sat back and China went searching for the goals. After a barrage of shots and saves from Lebanese keeper Rabie El Khaki, China finally hit the mark on a long range shot well struck by Xiao Zhang to make the score 2-1.
This goal came in the final minute of the half so the half ended 2-1.
In the second half China came roaring again looking for the equalizer. Lebanon was comfortable sitting back and relying on the counter. China's attacking was awarded with a goal after some alert thinking. Xiaoyu Wang took a quick corner, which Jie Hu was on the spot to tap in for 2-2. The game changed again as now Lebanon had to attack searching for victory as a loss would have eliminated them from the competition.
Around the mid point of the second half, Mahmoud Itani made a pass to Haysssam Atwi who then laid on a pass for Takaji who calmly finished off the play to put Lebanon in front 3-2.
Both teams were accumulating fouls and first over the limit was Lebanon, but luckily for them China could finish on the resulting free kick from the second penalty marker.
With China also over the limit Lebanon made no mistake and Serge Said put away his chance to give Lebanon a 4-2 win.
China coach Zhicheng Zhang said: "In the first half my players didn't run enough. I asked them to improve in the second half. We played better in the next half but we couldn't score because they have a really good goalkeeper."
About the next match against Iran, he said: "We will have a very good strategy to play them. We will have to run more and rotate more.”
Lebanese coach Dory Zakhour said his team had “to win” against Malaysia in the last group game.
In the other group game, Iran had only one thing in mind, and that was to try and match Japan's impressive rout of the Philippines.
Iran came out in an unforgiving mood and won 15-1 for the biggest win in the Amagasaki bracket.
From the kickoff, Iran came out attacking furiously and the goals came quickly and frequently. Superstar Vahid Shamsaee turned in a brilliant performance and showed his intent in getting the golden boot by scoring an impressive six goals.
Teammate Mohammad Hashem Zadeh also added a hat-trick.
Iran started with great ball movement and scored three times within the first 5 minutes through Mohammad Hashem Zadeh twice and also Ahmad Pari Azar. Iran continued to dominate and through fluid play, the score was an incredible 7-0 at halftime.
Shamsaee scored two goals in the first half. Kazem Mohamaddi Tirabadi also added one. Ahmad Pari Azar got a goal just before the break.
The second half saw Iran continue its devastating form by adding a further eight goals, while just conceding one to Malaysia.
Shamsaee scored four in the second half, while Mohammad Hashem Zadeh completed his hat-trick. The other goals were scored by Kazem. Mohammadi Tiribadi added one. Ahmad Pari Azar also got one from a corner kick tap in.
Malaysia got their lone goal on a rebound from a free kick. The scorerer was Mohamad Fadzil Ab Karnim. Asked about the match, Malaysia coach P Balakrishnan said: "In Malaysia we don't have a league yet. We don't have many players to choose from. Iran are professionals and we are amateurs."
His counterpart, the Iranian coach, Hosseim Shams said: "Game by game our tactics change. It depends on the team we face. There are still many tactics we haven't shown yet."
AFC Futsal Championship: Kyrgyzstan record second win, Australia down Korea Republic 14 May 2007AMAGASAKI: Two-time semi-finalists Kyrgyzstan moved a step closer to the last eight stage from Group C in the AFC Futsal Championship beating their Central Asian neighbours Turkmenistan 7-1 while Australia fought back from their opening match defeat to down Korea Republic 3-1 here on Monday.
Turkmenistan, who had shocked Australia 1-0 on Sunday, took the lead in the fourth minute when Agajan Resulov found the back of the net. Kyrgyzstan took control of the proceedings soon after using quick passing and some very precise counter attacks. In the very next minute, Daniar Abdyraimov restored parity for Kyrgyzstan.
Nurjan Djetybaev tucked away his own rebound off the wall from the free kick to give his team a 2-1 lead in the 14th minute. Ulan Ryskulov and Marat Duvanaev netted a goal apiece in quick succession to make it 4-1. Vadim Cherevin made it 5-1 for Kyrgyzstan before the breather.
Azamat Mendibaev and Jenish Mamatov scored after the restart to seal victory for Kyrgyzstan. Their coach Nurtazin Djetybaev said: "Today the team played very well and the players’ physical condition is getting better."
Turkmenistan coach Eldar Ramazanov said: "Kyrgyzstan team has been playing together since last seven years and they are more experienced.”
After the barren first half, Lee Jong-yun gave Korea Republic the lead in the 25th minute but Matthew Whyte restored parity for the Australians eight minutes later. Lachlan Wright gave Scott Gilligan’s side the lead in the 39th minute while Whyte struck again in the last minute to keep his side’s hopes of making it to the next stage alive.
Gilligan said: “We needed to win and thankfully we are still in the fray. We will have to win against Kyrgyzstan tomorrow and to achieve that we must try and nullify their attack".
AFC Futsal Championship: Japan through as Philippines hold Tajikistan14 May 2007OSAKA: Japan are the first team qualified for the quarter finals of the AFC Futsal Championship after downing a spirited Hong Kong line up 8-0 at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium tonight.
Kenta Fujii, the only field player not to find the back of the net in Japan’s first round thrashing of the Philippines, was the most prolific marksman on this occasion, scoring three alongside braces by Yuki Kanayama and Kenichiro Kogure and a single contribution from Yusuke Komiyama.
Segments of Japan ’s display were simply breathtaking.
The quality and creativity of the home side’s passing game was, at times, unlike anything seen at these Championships.
Led by captain Fujii and chief playmaker Kogure, Japan were at their irresistible best from the opening whistle and look well and truly on track to record their second consecutive Championships crown.
“Yesterday’s game and today’s game were good games, my players have kept their concentration throughout,” said Japan coach Sapo.
“We have been aggressive in attack and we’ve stayed calm when we’ve need to, which has given us two victories now.”
Japan have now gone seven Championships matches without tasting defeat and have conceded just eight goals in such time – six of which were in the one match against their next opponent, Tajikistan, one year ago.
Hong Kong, who were certainly not embarrassed by their much-fancied opponents, are now officially out of the running for a quarter final place, but still have their sixth ever Championships win to aim for when they take on the Philippines in Amagazaki tomorrow.
Earlier, the Philippines and Tajikistan played out a thoroughly entertaining 2-2 draw – a result that keeps both nations in the hunt for a quarter final place.
Tajikistan took a 2-0 lead to the break after strikes from crafty playmaker Sherzod Jumaev and Alisher Oulmassov, before two goals from dynamic Philippines eleven-a-side international Ariel Zerrudo levelled the scores.
The result was of more significance for the Philippines, who only yesterday were demoralised to the tune of a 16-0 defeat by the host nation.
In two previous Championships appearances, the Philippines’ only joy has come from a win against Bhutan and draw against Macao, making today’s achievement against one of the stronger futsal nations in Asia particularly noteworthy.
“In the first half, Tajikistan played the better and in the second half, we really didn’t let them into our final third and, in the end, got the result,” said the Philippines ’ Iranian coach Sedigh Esmaeil.
“Tajikistan is a good team, they’ve been together for about six or seven years, whereas our team has been together for only a few months.
“Of course, Tajikistan still has to play Japan , so there is a big chance for us to qualify for the quarter finals if we can win against Hong Kong tomorrow.”
In the race for second spot behind Japan, Tajikistan are still better placed than their nearest rival the Philippines, but will be looking to absolutely confirm their quarter final spot by taking at a least a point from the tournament’s best performed team at the Amagazaki City Park Gymnasium tomorrow.
Tajik coach Kamaletdinov Damir was upbeat about his side’s chances, but also regretful at failing to capitalise on an opportunity to seal their quarter final place by trumping the supposed minnows of their group.
“The game was very interesting, yesterday the Philippines lost 16-0 and they weren’t able to show their best,” said Damir.
“I think today they had a very good game, but, we weren’t playing at our maximum ability.”
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