Courtesy: The AFC.com


Goal difference denies Thais

9 September 2008

Thailand missed out on silverware after drawing 2-2 with fellow FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers Argentina.
BANGKOK – Thailand missed out on the Thailand World 5s title on goal difference after the 2008 AFC Futsal Championship runners-up were held to a 2-2 draw by Argentina.

The draw meant that top honours in the four-team tournament went to the South Americans after they had defeated Vietnamese outfit Thai Son Nam 14-0 and Japan 3-1, while the hosts’ record against the two sides was 7-1 and 3-2 respectively.

Thailand looked to be on track for a morale-boosting victory ahead of their 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup campaign when they took a 3rd minute lead through Prasert Innui before his Chonburi Blue Wave team-mate Lertchai Issarasuwipakorn doubled the advantage just six minutes later.

However, the Thais couldn’t add to their tally and fellow Futsal World Cup qualifiers Argentina clawed their way back into the match, pulling one back through Maina Lucas’ 19th minute strike before Wilhelm Fernando scored the telling equaliser two minutes into the second-half.

Japan bounced back from their defeats to Thailand and Argentina with a comprehensive 12-1 win over Thai Son Nam with Rikarudo Higa leading the way with five goals.

Like Thailand and Argentina, Japan were using the tournament to gear-up for the Futsal World Cup which gets underway on September 30 when the East Asians take on hosts Brazil while the Thais begin their campaign against Italy on the same day.

Argentina don’t have to wait too long to test themselves against Asian opposition again as they take on China – runners-up to Japan in the 2008 AFC Futsal Championship third-place play-off – in Group C of the global futsal meet on October 1.

Meanwhile, Asia’s final representatives Iran are in action on the same day when the continental champions face the World Cup holders in the Group D opener.




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