Action from the Korea Republic-Australia match. Photo by: AFC/Kumiko Nakagawa

AMAGASAKI: Two-time semi-finalists Kyrgyzstan moved a step closer to the last eight stage from Group C in the AFC Futsal Championship beating their Central Asian neighbours Turkmenistan 7-1 while Australia fought back from their opening match defeat to down Korea Republic 3-1 here on Monday. Turkmenistan, who had shocked Australia 1-0 on Sunday, took the lead in the fourth minute when Agajan Resulov found the back of the net. Kyrgyzstan took control of the proceedings soon after using quick passing and some very precise counter attacks. In the very next minute, Daniar Abdyraimov restored parity for Kyrgyzstan. Nurjan Djetybaev tucked away his own rebound off the wall from the free kick to give his team a 2-1 lead in the 14th minute. Ulan Ryskulov and Marat Duvanaev netted a goal apiece in quick succession to make it 4-1. Vadim Cherevin made it 5-1 for Kyrgyzstan before the breather. Azamat Mendibaev and Jenish Mamatov scored after the restart to seal victory for Kyrgyzstan. Their coach Nurtazin Djetybaev said: "Today the team played very well and the players’ physical condition is getting better."

Turkmenistan coach Eldar Ramazanov said: "Kyrgyzstan team has been playing together since last seven years and they are more experienced.” After the barren first half, Lee Jong-yun gave Korea Republic the lead in the 25th minute but Matthew Whyte restored parity for the Australians eight minutes later. Lachlan Wright gave Scott Gilligan’s side the lead in the 39th minute while Whyte struck again in the last minute to keep his side’s hopes of making it to the next stage alive. Gilligan said: “We needed to win and thankfully we are still in the fray. We will have to win against Kyrgyzstan tomorrow and to achieve that we must try and nullify their attack".