Source: The-AFC.com

Thailand international Suphawut Thueanklang struck the winner three minutes from time as Chonburi Bluewave edged Al Sadd 3-2 to enter the semi-finals of the AFC Club Futsal Championship 2013 as Group B winners.

Chonburi, who held Ardus of Uzbekistan and later defeated defending champions Sanaye Giti Pasand, needed only a point from the match to book a place in the knockout stage but started the match brightly with Suphawut scoring the opener in the first minute.

Samer Samih converted a 5th minute penalty to level the the match only for Suphawut's fellow Thailand international teammate Kritsada Wongkaeo put Chonburi in 2-1 lead in the 14th minute.

For the second time in the match Samih restored parity, with his successful conversion of the 17th minute spot-kick taking his individual goal tally for the tournament to five, but Chonburi would ensure top place finish in Group B when Suphawut sealed the win with three minutes remaining.

Chonburi will next will face the runners-up of Group A while Al Sadd are out of the tournament after finishing third in Group B.

“I am very disappointed but we gave everything to win this match,” Al Sadd coach Mohammed Eisa said after the match.

“I am proud with my players who showed tremendous effort to win this match.

“I observed that both the sides were nervous in the beginning but later both the sides resorted on aggressive futsal.

“We had to be more open because we knew that the draw would not be enough for us so we were more adventurous with power-play and pounced on to make it 3-2,” he summed up.

“It was a tough match and we knew the importance of this match so earlier the boys were under pressure making some silly mistakes,” conceded Chonburi coach Pazos Mendez.

“Overall it was a good futsal match and both the sides were keen to win. We would like to enjoy this win tonight and start preparing for the semi-final which will be definitely difficult though at the moment we don’t know our opponent,” he said.





FP Staff --> info@futsalplanet.com