Afghanistan stay firm to seal last four spot

Published on: 18 June 2019

Tabriz: Afghanistan moved within two matches of the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship IR Iran 2019 title after scoring a 3-2 win over Thailand in their quarter-final tie on Tuesday.

Afghanistan, who have stated their aim is to emerge champions, will play Indonesia in the semi-finals on Thursday.

The match was expected to be a cracker as Afghanistan and Thailand were impressive en route to the knockout stage but it was the Southeast Asians who started the brighter and tested goalkeeper Mohammad Javad Safari in the opening minute.


Afghanistan, however, took charge once they settled and went ahead through Seyed Hossein Mousavi whose shot from near the second penalty mark squeezed past Thai ‘keeper Theerawat Kaewwilai.

Despite trailing, Thailand opted to play defensively but in a rare foray upfront in the 14th minute, Nattasak Photi found himself in a one-on-one situation with Javad Safari, but the skipper shot straight into the arms of the ‘keeper.

Safari’s quick long throw saw Thailand punished as Mousavi doubled Afghanistan’s tally.

Two minutes from the break, Afghanistan widened their lead further after Kaewwilai was penalised for a second touch of the ball, and Farzad Mahmoodi drilled the free-kick past the custodian.

With their backs against the wall, Thailand were quicker with their passes and movements around the court in the second half.

Their persistence was rewarded in the 22nd minute, when Thanawat Koedbangrachan connected to Charoondej Muenthiang’s quick pass in front of the box with a back heel effort that caught Safari off guard.

Afghanistan had played a very physically aggressive game, and had committed five fouls by the 29th minute, which benefited Thailand as they found more space to move forward.

Thailand grew in confidence and looked threatening with every attack, but Safari was determined not to be beaten again.

With four minutes left on the clock, Thailand opted for power play, bringing in Siksaka Pramanong as the fifth attacking player.

It almost backfired immediately when they lost possession, but much to their relief, Mojtaba Mohammadi’s shot towards an unguarded goalmouth bounced off the upright.

Jose Mendez’s strategy proved successful in the final minute when Chutinan Raksasap’s shot from a tight angle deflected off Afghanistan’s Morteza Hairari and into the goalmouth but it was too little too late, as the Central Asians stayed strong to seal the win.

Photos: AFC


Source: the-afc.com

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