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| AFC Futsal Championship |
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| Japan aim to top group |
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| Japanese players tossing their Brazilian coach Sapo into the air after winning the AFC Futsal Championship 2006 in Tashkent. |
KUALA LUMPUR: Japan futsal coach Brazilian Sapo has warned that the 2006 champions need to be at their best to come through the group stage of the AFC Futsal Championship 2008 unscathed.
Japan, who lost to Iran in the 2007 final, were slotted in the Friday draw with Australia, Turkmenistan and Chinese Taipei.
“I think we have been drawn in the most competitive group in the championship,” said the Brazilian who led the East Asians to Asian futsal glory in 2006 by ending the seven-year-long reign of Iran.
“Although all the group matches will be tough for us, we will try to finish on top of the group to qualify for the quarter-finals. Since hosts Thailand will be aiming to go through the last eight finishing on top of their group, we need to top our group to avoid a clash with them in the quarter-finals.”
“We need support from our fans as this is going to be one particularly tough competition. I would like to request all supporters to come and boost our morale in the upcoming friendlies against Ukraine to prepare better for the AFC Futsal Championship.”
Sapo’s charges have two friendlies against European giants Ukraine scheduled for May 1 (Hyogo) and three days later (Tokyo) before their departure for Bangkok where they open their Asian campaign against Chinese Taipei on May 11.
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