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The AFC.comIran step closer to Round of 16Tuesday, 06 November 2012Bangkok: Iran edged closer to a place in the Round of 16 at the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Morocco at the Huamark Indoor Stadium on Monday.
Goals from Ali Hassanzadeh and Afshin Kameni, either side of a Youssef El Mazray strike, secured the three points for the ten-time Asian futsal champions, who now need to avoid defeat in Thursday's final Group B match against Panama to guarantee a top-two finish and a place in the knockout phase.
Iran, who were denied the chance of an 11th AFC Asian Futsal Championship tile when they were beaten in the semis of UAE 2012 by World Cup hosts Thailand, went into Monday's match buoyed by a 2-2 draw with futsal powerhouse Spain and dominated the first-period but had to wait until the 19th minute to break the deadlock with Hassanzadeh sending keeper Rabie Zaari the wrong way from the penalty spot.
But Iran's lead lasted all of 11 seconds with a Moroccan counter-attack culminating in Al Mazray slotting home from close range to send the teams into the break on an even keel.
Iran's dominance continued in the second period but the North Africans were defending heroically until their resistance was finally broken with just under eight minutes to play when Kameni chipped the ball over the grounded Zaari for the winning goal.
"Morocco played very well today, much better than when we last played each other but we missed too many chances in the first-half," admitted Iran coach Sanei.
"Psychologically that put out players under pressure until we scored the second goal."
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The AFC.comFutsalroos rally to beat MexicoTuesday, 06 November 2012Bangkok: Australia stayed in the hunt for a place in the last sixteen of the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup after the Futsalroos came from a goal down to defeat Mexico 3-1 at Nimibutr Stadium on Monday.
Goals from Tobias Seeto, Aaron Cimitle and Greg Giovenali proved enough for ground-breaking win for the Futsalroos and leaves their qualification hopes resting on the final Group D encounter with Argentina on Thursday.
It was evident from the opening minutes that this was a vastly different test for the Futsalroos than the one provided by Italy in the group opener as the Australians took the match to their CONCACAF opponents. Greg Giovenali tested out Miguel Estrada in the Mexican goal inside fifty seconds and with the effervescent and energetic Daniel Fogarty back from injury the Futsalroos looked a dangerous proposition in attack.
But it was Mexico who took the lead against the run of play in the seventh minute. A dubious looking free-kick was awarded on the edge of the penalty area after Seeto clashed with a Mexican attacker and, from the resultant free-kick, Victor Quiroz side-footed past Peter Spathis in the Futsalroos goal.
Australia responded with a low drive from Fernando De Moraes that Estrada did well to block before the Brazilian-born player thrashed an effort inches wide of goal. At the other end Mexican Captain Francisco Cati fluffed his lines somehow contriving to miss an open goal from a square pass with his effort heading out for a kick-in on the touch-line rather than giving his team what would have been an undeserving two-goal lead.
Fernando was close again when he chested wide from a Giovenali cross as the Futsalroos upped the tempo once more with Mexico reverting to their long-ball approach which had been seen in their opening match against Argentina. Even so, Spathis needed to be on his toes to deny Morgan Plata low down at his near-post with three minutes of the half remaining. Mexico had been in foul trouble for large parts of the opening half, sat on five fouls, but Australia could not take advantage.
Jarrod Basger almost levelled on the cusp of the half-time hooter following up a Fernando strike that Estrada fumbled and bundling his way past the stricken goalkeeper only to be unable to squeeze the ball in from a tight angle, his effort hitting the base of the post and leaving Mexico ahead 1-0 at the interval.
Trailing at the break, and with their FIFA Futsal World Cup hopes hanging by a thread, the Futsalroos needed a bright start to the second half and Giovenali almost provided it sending a fizzing snap-shot flashing just wide of the post with Estrada at full stretch. There was a warning though two minutes in as Carlos Ramirez met another long ball with a glancing header that had the Futsalroos bench watching on anxiously and the same player stabbed wide of a gaping net seconds later as the Australians turned over possession in the centre of the court.
Fernando continued to threaten the Mexican defence, stabbing over the crossbar from an acute angle, as Steven Knight urged his team onto the offensive and they rewarded in the 26th minute with a well worked equaliser. A quick one-two gave Seeto space from the angle and he crashed in an unstoppable shot off the under-side of the crossbar to bring the teams level. Seconds later the match was turned on its head.
Mexico were caught on the counter as Seeto broke and, showing great calmness and composure, cleverly flicked the ball over the advancing Estrada with a cute finish, helped over the line by the retreating Mexican defender with Aaron Cimitile credited with the final touch, to give the Futsalroos a priceless 2-1 lead. Seeto was denied again by a decent stop minutes later and Chris Zeballos almost made it three with five and a half minutes remaining.
A stunning save by Spathis from Plata, the 'keeper diving low to his right to push away a fierce shot, preserved the lead with the magnitude of the stop emphasised moments later as Australia went 3-1 up. Giovenali combined with Fernando, receiving the return pass, and thumping a right foot shot high into the top corner much to the delight of the Futsalroos' fans in the 3,800 strong crowd.
"We are delighted to have recorded the win and I have to say it was no more than we deserved for an outstanding display from the team," Head Coach Steven Knight said afterwards. "To come from 1-0 down and claim the points showed great character and determination and is a reward for the lads after training hard. Mexico were a real challenge and to get a win showed the make-up of this group and their resilience."
Knight was particularly happy with the attacking portion of the Futsalroos game in a second half in which they dominated the shot-count. "I think it took a while for the guys to realise that they have the confidence and the belief in themselves to score at this level. It's a mental thing for some of them, figuring out that they belong at this level and that they have the ability to cause problems to the opposition. The group have received some negative comments after the Italy game and I hope that we have answered our critics. I'm proud of the way they responded tonight."
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The AFC.comSerbia too strong for KuwaitTuesday, 06 November 2012Bangkok: Kuwait succumbed to a 7-2 defeat to Serbia at the Huamark Indoor Stadium on Tuesday with their second loss of the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup on Tuesday.
Kuwait had the better chances in the early exchanges but it was Serbia that took the lead in the seventh minute through a skilful Miaden Kocic effort. Kuwait coach Luis Fonseca introduced outfield player Abdulrahman Al Tawali in place of keeper Hani Mhisen but the offensive gamble failed to pay off and it was the Serbs that added to their tally through Kosic's second (17th) and Vladimir Lazic (19th) as the Europeans took a three-goal cushion into the break.
Ahmad Al Farsi capitalised on a goal-keeping error a minute into the second period to give Kuwait a glimmer of a comeback a second from Lazic (24th) and further goals from Slobodan Rajcevic (27th) and Vidan Bojovic (31st) put the Europeans firmly in control of the contest.
Al Farsi got his and Kuwait's second in the 36th minute but the Serbs were to have the final say with Bojan Pavicevic completing the rout with two minutes left on the clock.
Having been edged 3-2 by the Czech Republic in their tournament curtain raiser Kuwait's loss leaves Fonseca's side facing certain elimination with only a massive win over Egypt coupled with an equally sizeable Serbian success over the Czechs in the final round of Group E matches on Friday needed for Kuwait to squeeze into the Round of 16.
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The AFC.comThai hopes hanging by a threadWednesday, 07 November 2012Bangkok: FIFA Futsal World Cup hosts Thailand face an anxious wait to see if they will be one of the best third-place teams after they failed to claim one of two tickets from Group A after losing 3-2 to Paraguay on Wednesday.
Needing a win to take them through to the Round of 16 and backed by a passionate and partisan crowd at the Huamark Stadium the scene was set for the Thais to advance
But serious stagefright struck the hosts and they conceded three times in the first ten minutes with Adolfo Salas (3rd), Enmanuel Ayala (6th) and Juan Salas (9th) putting Paraguay in pole position for a place in the last 16.
Suphawut Thueanklang, who scored a joint-top seven times as Thailand finished runners-up to Japan at the 2012 AFC Futsal Championship, reduced the deficit in the tenth minute with his third in as many matches before a Jetsada Chudech strike four minutes into the second period give the Thais a glimmer of hope that turned out to be a false dawn as the South Americans advanced at the expense of the tournament hosts.
"The beginning was a bit better than against Ukraine but I was scared again when the score went to 3-0, Thailand coach Victor Hermans said.
Then my team started playing and scoring goals. In the end we only lacked that bit of luck that would have brought us the equaliser."
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The AFC.comWaiting game for Asian championsWednesday, 07 November 2012Bangkok: Japan will have to wait until conclusion of the Group Stage on Friday to see if they can advance to the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup Round of 16 as one of the best third-placed teams after the Asian champions' 4-2 win over Libya was not enough to see them finish second in Group C and advance to the knockout phase alongside Brazil.
The reigning World Champions finished top of the table with a 100% record following their 3-1 defeat of Portugal and that result in Nakhon Ratchasima combined with Japan's two-goal winning margin over the North Africans saw the Portuguese through in second place courtesy of their superior goal difference.
Japan went into the match at the Huamark Indoor Stadium with no option other than to win and win with a margin of five goals or more and Miguel Rodrigo's side went about their mission with purpose.
They dominated the first period but had to wait until two minutes from the interval to break the deadlock, with Reda Fathe diverting Kotaro Inaba's shot into his own net before a telling deflection from Inaba from Mohamed Rahoma's free-kick saw Libya level a minute later.
The influential Inaba was at the heart of the third goal of the match in the 24th minute when he stole possession from Bader Hasan before setting up Shota Hoshi for Japan's second.
And just a minute later Inaba got his name on the scoresheet a minute later when he diverted Yusuke Komiyama's shot past Libya keeper Yousef Bensaed before Nobuya Osodu struck in the 32nd minute to give Japan a 4-1 lead.
But the North Africans would have the final say when Rahoma got his second of the night from the penalty mark as Japan got the win but came up short of their target.
"I told my players that, before worrying about goal difference, we needed to win the game," Japan coach Rodrigo reflected.
"We did not play to our best level because of the responsibility on our shoulders, and because of nervousness. Nevertheless, we got the job done and now we need a little help from lady luck."
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The AFC.comFutsalroos flounder in Group D finaleThursday, 08 November 2012Bangkok: Argentina handed Australia an accomplished 7-1 defeat their final match in the group stage of the FIFA Futsal World Cup at the Nimitbutr Stadium on Thursday.
Despite a goal from Tobias Seeto, his second of the competition, the Futsalroos were outdone by a slick and powerful Argentine outfit with the Albiceleste doing more than enough to justify their place in the Round of 16.
The Futsalroos got off to a horror start conceding the opening goal of the match after only 43 seconds. Daniel Fogarty had intercepted a stray pass and was bearing down on goal when he was unceremoniously brought down by Cristian Borruto who was cautioned for the foul. From the resulting free-kick Fernando struck the wall and the ball rebounded all the way back to Futsalroos goal keeper Peter Spathis. Spathis seemed to have an age as he attempted to clear only for the ball to strike Borruto on his raised foot and trickle back past Spathis and into the net for an unfortunate opener.
The Argentines then hit the crossbar from their next attack as Australia attempted to settle their early nerves. Fernando replied with a shot on the turn from the edge of the penalty area that skimmed off the outside of the post but it was Argentina who upped the tempo again having a goal rightly denied as the ball went out of play before being tucked into the back of the net by Matias Lucuix.
This Futsalroos team is full of self-belief though and they drew level after five and a half minutes. Seeto collected the ball just inside the Argentine half and advanced down the left channel before unleashing a fierce low shot that zipped across the court and flashed in off the fast post with Albiceleste 'keeper Santiago Elias well beaten for his second goal of the tournament. Parity wasn't to last long though.
Just over a minute later Argentina produced a well-crafted move on turnover ball that resulted in Borruto strolling past an attempted challenge and drawing Spathis before laying the ball on a plate to Leandro Cuzzolino who couldn't miss, tapping into the open goal from a metre out. The Futsalroos were then denied a decent shout for a penalty for handball before Spathis made a stunning save with his trailing leg when it seemed certain that Martin Amas would make the score 3-1.
Spathis was at his best again pushing away a thunderous strike from Borruto but was powerless to prevent the outstanding Lucuix from extending the Argentine lead as he skipped round the stricken goal keeper to slam home Argentina's third in the 14th minute leaving Australia with much to do in the second half.
To have any chance of getting back into the game, the Futsalroos really needed to score first in the second half but, after a bright opening, it was Argentina who struck. After losing Lucuix to an ankle injury they broke off the resumption of play and Alamiro Vaporaki turned outside Chris Zeballos to thump a shot past Spathis and into the bottom corner. At 4-1 down, the Futsalroos had the proverbial mountain to climb.
That mountain took on Everest proportions in the 27th minute as Argentina took advantage of a cheap turnover of possession in the centre of the court and played their way through the Australian defence to allow Hernan Garcias the time and space to pick his spot and finish with a neat slot past Spathis into the corner. Australia kept plugging away though and a rasping shot from Giovenali went just over the crossbar.
Nathan Niski was denied a FIFA Futsal World Cup goal by a fine stop from substitute goalkeeper Matias Quevedo as the Futsalroos looked to end their campaign on a high with the replacement South American shot-stopper also called into action to block a Seeto effort from close range.
It was Argentina who was to have the last word though with another well-worked goal. Alan Calo had threatened twice to score sublime individual goals before hitting a snap-shot from outside the area that squirmed underneath Spathis and just about crept over the goal-line despite the retreating 'keeper's attempts to claw it away. And when Borruto made it seven with barely a minute to go, it was all over for the plucky Futsalroos.
"We were beaten by a better team," admitted Futsalroos Head Coach Steven Knight. "I asked before the match that the players believe in themselves and a few of them stood up tonight. Argentina has a World class team and we battled with them for large parts of the match after going behind early.
"I'm a little disappointed with the amount of goals we conceded as we obviously did not set out to lose by those margins. However, along the way we have played some good Futsal and the effort has been top drawer. When you are playing against full-time professionals it's tough to keep your concentration for the whole match. Nevertheless, I am proud of the team and what they have achieved."
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Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
