Bangkok: A fascinating encounter is on the cards when Iraq and Japan meet in the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship quarter-finals at the Bangkok Arena on Monday.
Iraq, along with the Islamic Republic of Iran, are one of only two teams to have emerged with a perfect Group Stage record, winning all four of their Group A games and scoring 25 times in the process. Ali Talib’s side saved their best performance for last however, as a famous 7-3 win against host nation Thailand helped them seal top spot in Group A.
Japan’s Group Stage campaign was soured somewhat by two draws - against Tajikistan (5-5) and Indonesia (3-3) - games they were in control of until the final seconds. The dropping of key points was to prove decisive as Japan finished with an identical record to that of Indonesia, with the East Asians subsequently being named Group B runners-up after the drawing of lots.
IRAQ - winners Group A
5 wins, 15 points
Scored: 25
Conceded: 10
Leading goalscorer: Hasan Kadhim Hilfi with 5
Iraq head coach Ali Talib
“We have prepared well for Monday’s game, and we respect Japan, who are one of the strongest teams in Asia, for what they have achieved and what they are capable of.
“We fought hard during our five matches in Group A, but we are not now going into our match against Japan viewing it as a quarter-final - we are looking at it as if it is a final.
“Our match with Japan will send a message to everyone in Asia that we have a strong team. We are here not for second-place, but rather to be champions here and then in Argentina at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.”
JAPAN - runners-up Group B
2 wins, 2 draws, 8 points
Scored: 15
Conceded: 9
Leading goalscorer: Kazuya Shimizu with 6
Japan head coach Ryuji Suzuki
“We have crossed over the mountain that was the challenge of our Group Stage matches. We are more prepared now, and this is just the beginning for us.
“We are here representing our country. As our senior national team are performing well, the pressure is on us to perform just as well. But, this is our first international event, and we are just a young team. In tomorrow’s match against Iraq, we are going to give our best - and nothing less.”​
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com