Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ho Chi Minh City: Thai Son Nam created the first upset of the AFC Futsal Club Championship Vietnam 2017 after defeating 2016 finalists NAFIT Al-Wasat 4-0 to seal their place in the competition’s final four on Thursday.
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With the Thai Son Nam faithful racing into the Phu Thọ Indoor Stadium, it was easy to see why the home side’s quarter-final clash against Iraqi giants NAFIT Al-Wasat was the most eagerly awaited contest in Ho Chi Minh City.
Having squeezed through to the last eight on the final day of group matches, Thai Son Nam seemed adamant on establishing their authority early in the match with Iranian home favourite Hossein Tayebibidgoli coming close to giving the home side the lead if not for some fine reflexes by Ahmed Duraid.
The home side continued to pile the pressure, coming close again in the fourth minute when Tran Thai Huy unleashed a thunderous left-footer after some quick thinking and a long throw by Nguyen Van Huy but Duraid came to NAFIT's rescue once again.
Thai Son Nam’s Lukaian Baptista produced a standout performance in the opening 10 minutes, bossing the midfield and keeping the dangerous duo of Ghodrat Bahadori and Farhad Tavakoli at bay.
NAFIT finally carved their first genuine chance of the match, Fahad Methaq finding Waleed Khalid but the latter missed by a whisker.
Tavakoli then came close moments later, Methaq again providing the tee-off but Van Huy was more than equal to it diving to his right to keep his side in the match.
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