Japan, quarter-finalists in the 2017 edition, dominated the early possession against a Tajikistan side that opted for a more defensive approach, as the Central Asians played patiently waiting for openings to launch counter attacks.

Despite the lion’s share of control, Japan faced difficulties in penetrating Tajikistan’s blockade, with Osawa Masashi coming closest when he struck the upright in the fourth minute.

The second edition of the AFC U-20 Championship kicked off in spectacular fashion, with both teams employing a high-tempo strategy, as Chinese Taipei matched 2017 runners-up Iraq’s intensity in the opening minutes.

Iraq’s Sabtain Abbas Al Challabi had the first chance of the game when he lost his marker on the right flank and let loose a shot that missed the upright by mere inches.

However, it was his opposite number, Huang Yu-Wei, who opened the scoring in the third minute with a swift strike from near the second penalty spot into the bottom right corner.

Match Highlights and its Reports can be found below.

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Group winners: IR Iran, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia

Group runners-up: Afghanistan, Lebanon, Iraq, Vietnam

When IR Iran lifted the inaugural AFC U-20 Championship title 2017, Moghadam was assistant to Ali Sanei, but the head coach says much has improved in Asian futsal since IR Iran’s 2017 triumph and he believes his team face a huge challenge.