Action from Kyrgyzstan-Australia match, Photo by: AFC/Noriko Hayakusa

OSAKA: Kyrgyzstan fought back from three goals down to hold Australia 3-3 and claim top place in Group C of the AFC Futsal Championship on Tuesday. The result also saw Australia through to the final eight.

Adam Vizzari’s long range effort was responsible for sending the Australians to the break with a one-goal advantage, before strikes from Luke Haydon and Lachlan Wright had the AFC newcomers within 13 minutes of a famous result.

However, two late replies from Kyrgyzstan captain Jenish Mamatov and one from Nurjan Djetybaev drew the central Asians level, ensuring Nurtazin Djetybaev’s side finished atop their group.

Australia’s progression was confirmed after the Korea Republic defeated Turkmenistan 5-2 in the remaining match in Group C, a result that saw Australia edge both of the aforementioned teams by just one point in the race for second place.

“We knew that the second game in the group would determine how we would go, but we still wanted to do our best and we wanted to win,” said Kyrgyzstan coach Nurtazin Djetybaev.

“This didn’t happen in the first half, but in the second half, we told our players to do their best and they played some fantastic futsal to draw the game at 3-3.”

Australia, despite falling agonisingly short of what would have been a landmark win, were contented with arguably their greatest futsal achievement since becoming a member of the Asian Football Confederation in 2006.

Coincidentally, it was the Kyrgyz who ended Australia’s involvement at the last edition of the Championships in Uzbekistan by way of a resounding 5-1 win.

All four of the Kyrgyz’ goal scorers on that occasion in Tashkent were again on the court for the men in red today, but ultimately unable to repeat their feat of 2005 against a stoic Australian line up.

In fact, leading into the match, Australia’s defensive record at these Championships was second only to tournament favourites Japan, who remain the only side yet to concede a goal.

“We had to go into the game thinking of nothing but a win, our goal was to win the game, but it was also important not to lose,” said Australian coach Scott Gilligan.

“Our intention was the stifle their attack as much as possible, while at the same time, we needed to make sure we scored goals.

“We showed the intensity that we’re capable of and thankfully we got away with a draw. I think we also exorcised a few demons today, as the last time we played Kyrgyzstan they beat us 5-1, but this time we did well to get the draw.”

Meanwhile, Korea Republic notched their first win of the Championships at the Amagazaki City Park Gymnasium, defeating Turkmenistan 5-2.

This was a match that both teams needed to win to have any chance to progress and it was the Koreans who so nearly achieved their goal.

The Koreans not only had to win but also needed goals - they got the win and scored plenty in a 5-2 win.

As both teams needed to win, it was a high tempo match.

In the early going both teams took turns at attacking, Korea coming the closest when around the fifth minute, Dong Hwa Kim missed a wide open goal on a rebound after Turkmenistan keeper Llder Tashliyev had made a fantastic save.

On an almost identical play on the other end, Dovletmured Annayev also missed a wide open goal after Korean keeper Jun Huk Park was out of position following a good block.

The match continued at a high pace with both teams taking turns but with good goal keeping and poor finishing preventing any goals.

The Turkmenistan coach Eldar Ramazanov rotated his squad very frequently to keep them fresh.

Meanwhile Korea changed less and seemed to have more continuity in their play.

Korea was building some momentum and just at the very end of the half found the breakthrough on a cross from Sun Hoo Lee and calm finish by Hyung Do Back. The halftime score was 1-0 for Korea.

This goal and some stern words from coach Mal Bong Park must have woken up the Korean youngsters as they came out attacking furiously in the second half.

Their work bore fruit early as they were up 3-0 within five minutes of the second half, both goals by Hyung Do Back, one of which was a beautiful back heel.

This seemed to have given more urgency to the Turkmenistan players who replied with a goal from Guvanch Kanayev to make the score 3-1.

This changed the game again as Korea now wanted more goals to improve their goal average.

The game became more intense physically and there were many fouls on both sides. Turkmenistan was over the limit and as a result Korea had three chances from the second penalty marker.

Korea kept looking for goals and soon got their fourth by Youn Sun Choi on a counterattack.

Shortly after that Sun Hoo Lee added the final on a brilliant individual play and hard high shot for 5-1.

Turkeminstan kept pushing and got a goal back from Mergen Orazov. The final score was 5-1.

"Three matches in three days was tough for the players physical condition," said Turkmenistan coach Vadim Baratov after the match.

"We will try to bring out more young players and improve our league for the next tournament."

Baratov’s Korean counterpart, Mal Bong Park, was regretful at his team’s first round exit, but positive about his side’s chances in 2008.

"We regret not to make the next stage. Next year we want more time to prepare for the tournament," said Park.