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The AFC.comUzbekistan through to last four 17 May 2007OSAKA: Uzbekistan have qualified for their fourth consecutive AFC Futsal Championship semi-final after defeating Tajikistan 3-1 in a listless quarter-final at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium here on Thursday.
Two goals from Abdulla Buriev and one from Nikolay Odushev sealed the Uzbek’s progression to the final four, while Firdavs Faizullaev’s 23rd minute strike gave Tajikistan hope of overturning a 2-0 half time deficit.
Buriev’s brace took his tally for the tournament to seven, and was integral in securing Uzbekistan a win from arguably their most uninspiring performance of this competition.
Though the Uzbeks have their semi final place to show for their efforts, they looked a lethargic imitation of the side that was so impressive against Thailand two days earlier.
Prior to this match, the history between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan read two wins from as many attempts for the Uzbeks and despite a rousing second half revival from Tajikistan, the 2006 Championship finalists were seldom in danger of relinquishing their impressive record against their central Asian rivals.
“This game was a very difficult game,” said Uzbekistan assistant coach Pavel Bezglyadnov.
“After we scored our second goal, our performance dropped, but we held on for the win.
“Watching IR Iran (Uzbekistan’s semi final opponents), they are of a very high level, they have won the tournament so many times, which is difficult to ignore, all I can ask is that we do our best.”
The first half was largely timid affair.
Both sides seemed intent on keeping their backline intact, rather than showcase the attacking verve that has been such a feature of their respective styles so far these Championships.
Interventions of rhythm and fluency were all too fleeting, particularly for the Tajiks, whose star performers Sherzod Jumaev and Rustam Khodjaev were virtually unseen throughout the opening twenty minutes.
To the betterment of the spectacle, the half time break seemed to instigate a sea change of intensity and enthusiasm in the Tajik’s play.
Playmaker Jumaev began to dominate as he has done with regularity throughout the tournament, contributing significantly to Faizullaev’s strike just after the break.
Ultimately though, Tajikistan’s valiant late charge was thwarted by leading Uzbek marksman Buriev only seconds before the final whistle, ending a campaign that has been Tajikistan’s most successful in the history of the Championships.
“I’m still a little upset about the result, but I wish Uzbekistan luck for the semi final,” said Tajikistan coach Kameletdinov Damir.
“The second half we played very well, but unfortunately, because of the referee’s judgements we were denied the chance to score the equalising goal.
“To be able to compete against other nations that we don’t normally have the opportunity to play against has been the biggest positive of this tournament for us.”
Uzbekistan’s progression will see them face seven-time champions Iran, while Tajikistan will now focus their energies on next years tournament in south-east Asia.
Most positively, in 23-year-old Jumaev, the Tajik’s have a futsal talent of real quality.
The Tajik’s top goal scorer at these Championships, Jumaev will loom large for the central Asians in coming campaigns.
AFC Futsal Championship: Kyrgyzstan overcome Lebanon17 May 2007AMAGASAKI: Kyrgyzstan made it to the last four stage of the AFC Futsal Championship for the third consecutive time beating Lebanon 3-2 in extra-time here on Thursday.
Surprise quarterfinalists Lebanon made Kyrgyzstan toil hard as both the teams failed to break the deadlock in the first half. Andrey Pestryakov scored a brace in the 23rd and 24th minutes to give the Central Asians a 2-0 lead but Hayssam Atwi reduced the deficit two minutes later when he back-heeled a Khaled Takaji pass into the net and Takaji restored the parity for Lebanon six minutes before the final whistle on a pass from Mahmoud Tani. Almost immediately Kyrgyzstan stormed back and Nurjan
Djetybaev made a wonderful pass to an unmarked Jenish Mamatov whose shot was stopped by an alert Rabie El Khaki. Daniar Abdyraimov scored the match-winner for Kyrgyzstan in extra-time.
Lebanon coach Dory Zakhour said: "We had many chances to score but we couldn't finish them. We will start a futsal league to improve our standard.”
Kyrgyzstan coach Nurtazin Djetybaev said: "We purposely played counter attack in the first half. I watched Lebanon matches and I knew they get tired in the second half. The strategy worked well as the Lebanese players were tired."
In the semifinals on Friday, Kyrgyzstan will take on defending champions Japan, who defeated Thailand 9-6 in another quarter-final.
Japan squeeze into semis 17 May 2007OSAKA: Hosts and defending champions Japan overcame spirited ASEAN powerhouse Thailand 9-6 in a thrilling AFC Futsal Championship quarterfinal to make it to the last four stage here on Thursday.
This game had everything – two disallowed goals, five yellow cards, one red card, but overwhelmingly, a litany of positives for futsal in Asia in light of this spine tingling extravaganza from two sides intent on delivering upon the inherent aesthetic appeal of the five-a-side game.
Thailand led twice, Japan twice came from behind, but ultimately a classy quintet from Kenichiro Kogure combined with Rikarudo Higa’s rare brace and singles from Daisuke Ono and Takayuka Suzumura saw the host nation home after two early goals from Thailand captain Panuwat Janta were added to by Panomkorn Saisorn’s hat trick and Joe Nueangkord.
Janta’s early double, either side of Higa’s first strike in the 9th minute, exposed Japan’s vulnerabilities unlike any side has been able to at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium in recent days.
Although, as they have done with consistency at Asia’s premier annual futsal meet for the past eight years, Japan underlined their quality with a comeback that only they are capable of to down a spirited opponent deserving of much more than this quarter final elimination.
“We knew that this would be a difficult game and my players responded very well,” said Japan coach Sapo after the match.
“Yesterday at training, we practised our reaction to Thailand’s set pieces and power plays and I was impressed with how we executed this today.
“We did make a few mistakes, but the important thing is that we won.”
Pointedly, Japan thrived under the intense pressure Thailand had to offer throughout a frantic final stanza, out scoring their opponents by one goal despite Thai coach Piemkum Pattaya opting to play the entire half with his ‘keeper advanced as far as the attacking third.
Indeed, two of Japan’s second half strikes came from speculative long-range efforts that rolled into an empty goal mouth.
Earlier, Thailand was left to lament calamitous consequences that resulted from two key turning points of the game.
In the 15th minute with the scoreboard reading 2-1 in favour of the visitors, Thai goal scorer Saisorn lost not only his footing, but his right shoe near the touchline.
Hurriedly looking for a substitution, Saisorn lost his marker and within seconds, Japanese lynchpin Kogure walked the ball into the net to draw Japan level.
At the similar stage of the second period, key Thai player Lertchai Issarasuwipakorn was sent from the field after receiving his second booking for a seemingly innocuous challenge on Japan captain Kenta Fujii.
From the resultant free kick, Japan extended their lead to three goals – a margin they maintained right through to the full time whistle.
“It was a good game and it was a good experience,” said Thailand coach Pattaya.
“Next year will be more crucial for us, as it is a World Cup qualifying year, but this tournament has been a very good test for us.
“Of course were are a little disappointed, but I’m happy with the way that we played, we made one or two mistakes, but I think we are coming and closer and closer to the standards that Japan has set.”
Japan will tomorrow face central Asian nation and Group C winners Kyrgyzstan in the semi finals at the Osaka Municipal Central Gymnasium.
Iran blank Australia 8-0, storm into semis17 May 2007AMAGASAKI: Seven-time champions Iran continued their quest to regain the AFC Futsal Championship crown with a thumping 8-0 victory over Australia in the quarter-final here on Thursday.
Iran started cautiously and introduced their star players – Vahid Shamsaee and Mohammed Reza Heidarian – after five minutes. The Iranians went on the offensive but Aussie custodian Gavin O’Brien thwarted their attempts.
Majid Latifi broke the deadlock in the 15th minute and Mohammad Hashemzadeh and Babak Masoumi Daraki made it 3-0 in the next two minutes.
A quickfire double by Shamsaee in the 27th and 31st minute gave Iran full control of the game and Hashemzadeh later scored two more to complete his hat-trick while Latifi added one more to seal the fate of Australia.
Iran coach Hossein Shams said: "Attacking teams like us often leave spaces in the back but having the best goalkeeper in Asia, we were quite comfortable.”
Australian coach Scott Gilligan said: "In the second half we had to try and get some goals so we went on the offensive. Iran is a professional side while we are still learning."
In the semifinals on Friday, Iran will face Uzbekistan, who beat Tajikistan 3-1 in another quarter-final.
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