Courtesy: The AFC.com


THAILAND EXIT FIFA FUTSAL WORLD CUP AT THE HANDS OF AZERBAIJAN

Sep 23 2016

Medellin: Thailand lost out on a place in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 after an enthralling 13-8 extra-time defeat at the hands of Azerbaijan on Thursday (local time).
Led by five goals from Fineo, who will be suspended for the last-eight stage, the Azeris had enough left in the tank by extra time to overcome the Thais in what was a pulsating goal fest in Medellin.

Spectators at Coliseo Ivan de Bedout were treated to eight of the 21 goals scored in the first half, with Azerbaijan’s lead pegged back twice by the plucky Thais.

Vassoura opened the scoring before Fineo scored the first of his opening-half brace to put the Azeris two goals up. That prompted a response from the Southeast Asians, with Suphawut Thueanklang scoring two fine goals to make it 2-2.

Back came the Azeris, however, as Fineo scored his second goal of Colombia 2016 before setting up Vitaliy Borisov to make it 4-2 from his free-kick delivery. That only spurred Thailand into another response, with captain Kritsada Wongkaeo converting twice to make it 4-4 at half-time.

Thailand then claimed the advantage with a pair of exquisite goals after the restart. Jirawat Sornwichian gave the Thais their first lead in the match with a sublime volleyed finish, before Wongkaeo sealed his hat-trick with a header from Thueanklang’s neat cross.

Yet, true to the nature of this contest, a pair of Thiago Bolinha goals for Azerbaijan brought the match level at 6-6 before Fabio Poletto’s slide and finish restored the European side’s lead. Thailand’s response would send the game to extra time, as Jetsada Chudech’s free-kick strike made it 7-7 after 40 thrilling minutes of action.

Azerbaijan then took control in extra time, reaching double digits in the first period through Bolinha, Vassoura, and Fineo before Chudech converted a second penalty for 10-8.

Fineo then added two more to complete an extra-time hat-trick before goalkeeper Rovshan Huseynli, who will also miss the next game through suspension, scored the 21st and final goal of the match to send Azerbaijan through to a quarter-final clash with Portugal in Cali on Sunday.

Thailand scorers:
Suphawut Thuenklang (8’19”, 12’17”)
Kritsada Wongkaeo (17’44”, 18’21”, 25”12”)
Jirawat Sornwichian (21’43”)
Jetsada Chudech (36’30”, 44”16” 2PG)



Courtesy: The AFC.com


AFC PRESIDENT CONGRATULATES IR IRAN AFTER HISTORIC VICTORY

Sep 25 2016

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated the Islamic Republic of Iran after they became the first Asian team since 1992 to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA Futsal World Cup following their 4-3 win over Paraguay on Saturday (local time).
“I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the Islamic Republic of Iran for their historic victory. The whole of the Asia is behind IR Iran who have shown immense determination and competitive spirit throughout the competition.

“As envisaged in the AFC’s Vision and Mission, I hope their qualification to the semi-finals will serve only to spur Asian teams to aspire towards greater achievements on the world stage.”

Earlier in the competition, IR Iran stunned the futsal world after eliminating FIFA Futsal World Cup holders Brazil, winning 3-2 on penalties, after a captivating 4-4 draw in extra time.

On Saturday’s quarter-final match, Ahmed Esmailpour struck deep into extra time to see off Paraguay 4-3 in an incredible climax in Bucaramanga, setting up a semi-final clash against Russia, who defeated current European champions Spain in the other semi-final clash in Cali.

IR Iran will now face Russia on Tuesday (local time) in Medellín for the coveted place in the final of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016.



Courtesy: The AFC.com


IRAN SEAL FIFA FUTSAL WORLD CUP SEMIS SPOT

Sep 25 2016

Bucaramanga: Islamic Republic of Iran clinched a FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 semi-final place for the first time since 1992 as Ahmed Esmailpour struck deep into extra time to see off Paraguay 4-3 in an incredible climax during Bucaramanga’s final game of the tournament.
With plenty of space to operate in, both sides moved the ball around fluidly in the opening minutes, but the final pass was lacking as neither was able to craft solid openings. While it was Iran who were applying most of the pressure early on, it was Paraguay who took the lead, with Francisco Martinez turning in Juan Salas’ drive across goal.

This spurred the South Americans into life, threatening a second as space opened up at the back as Iran pushed for a quick equaliser. But it was in fact a well-tried route to goal that brought the leveller, as an Esmaeilpour thunderbolt proved that persistence pays off.

With half-time almost upon them, Paraguay nipped ahead again, this time it was Juan Salas himself bundling in at the back post. And if there was any similarity between Paraguay’s goals, that was entirely superseded as Iran drew level again, this time it was Mahdi Javid unleashing a hammer blow.

Rene Villalba would have trumped them all if his volley from inside his own half hadn’t struck the frame of the goal, while Mohammed Keshavarz and and Farhad Tavakoli did likewise, albeit from a great deal closer as the game opened up.

The game swung Iran’s way on the tug of a shirt, though, as Gabriel Ayala saw red for pulling down Tavakoli, and Javid made it 3-2 with Iran a man to the good. But with time ticking down, Villalba, sporting the flying keeper’s shirt, fired a low free-kick to take it to extra time.

It looked all set for both sides to face penalties for the second time in successive games, but Esmaeilpour was on hand to hammer home from close range with 23 seconds to go. Even then, Villalba still had time to hit the post, but now Iran will face one of Spain or Russia in the semi-finals.

Iran scorers:
Ahmad Esmaeilpour (15’33”, 49’37”)
Mahdi Javid (22’29”, 35'35”)


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