Bangkok: Japan held their nerve to record a 3-1 win over Vietnam at the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship on Saturday and progress to the competition’s quarter-finals, although a subsequent drawing of lots saw them finish second in Group B behind Indonesia.
While Vietnam exited the tournament, the victory left Japan level on all counts with their Southeast Asian rivals necessitating a drawing of lots which resulted in Indonesia being declared group winners and the Japanese finishing as runners-up.
Japan will now meet Group A winners Iraq in the knockout phase, while Indonesia face a last eight encounter with host nation Thailand.
Heading into the game knowing that only a win would guarantee their progress, Japan went ahead courtesy of Kazuya Shimizu’s sixth minute strike, before Tageshi Higuchi doubled his side’s advantage going into the break.
Mitsuru Nakamura then pounced to make it 3-1 within seconds of the restart as Japan, despite Duong Ngoc Linh’s consolation for Vietnam, secured their progress ahead of the United Arab Emirates.
Vietnam: LINH 22’
Japan: SHIMIZU 6’, HIGUCHI 12’, NAKAMURA 21’
Photo: AFC
Source: the-afc.com