Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Nagoya: AFC Futsal Club Championship 2013 hosts Nagoya Oceans rounded off their group stage campaign with a 100% record on Thursday when they defeated Shenzhen Nanling 4-1 to finish top of the Group A standings ahead of the Chinese side.
Victories over Al Sadaka (4-2) and Thai Son Nam (7-2) had already assured Nagoya of their place in the final four while Shenzhen’s second-place finish was confirmed after Thai Son Nam, who mathematically still had a chance to reach the semis at Shenzhen’s expense, were hammered 6-1 by Al Sadaka in Thursday’s other Group B fixture which kicked-off simultaneously.
Nagoya dominated the first half with a double from Rafael Sakai (2nd and 14th) either side of Tomoaki Watanabe’s ninth minute strike before Korea Republic international Shin Jong-hoon made it 4-0 one minute after the interval.
Having built up a commanding lead Nagoya to their foot of the gas but all Shenzhen could muster was a 34th minute consolation goal from Esteves.
“Our players are young and still they need a lot to learn,” said Shenzhen coach Adil Amarante, who led the Oceans to the 2011 AFC Futsal Club Championship title.
"I was in charge of Nagoya for five years and I know they have a lot of international experience. They are a mature side with quality players.”
Meanwhile, Amarante’s replacement at Nagoya Victor Acosta expressed his slight disappointment that the hosts were unable to win by a greater margin.
“The goal difference could have been better but we missed so many opportunities,” he said.
“I made a couple of changes to blend youth and experience this evening. The young players seemed to enjoy playing at this level and they also got some invaluable experiences.”
Acosta will be looking to extended his winning streak in the AFC Futsal Club Championship when the 47-year-old Brazil-born Spaniard leads the Oceans in their semi-final match against defending champions Sanaye Giti Pasand in the semi-final.