Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Kuwait City: Qatar champions Al Rayyan managed to book a berth in the AFC Futsal Club Championship semi-final after playing a fighting 2-2 draw with Group A rock-bottom side Thai Son Nam of Vietnam on Tuesday.
With hosts Yarmouk SC playing a simultaneous kick-off match at Yarmouk Stadium, Al Rayyan had a nervy final ten minutes but they held on to salvage a point to set up a semi-final clash with Group B winners Ardus of Uzbekistan.
Mohssein Amro (pic) and Ali Al Sabah were on target for Al Rayyan while Thai Son Nam finally found the back of the net only in their third match of the competition with Phung Trong Luan and Le Quoc Nam scoring goals for them.
Al Rayyan dictated the early proceedings and were duly rewarded with a seventh-minute strike from Amro. Thai Son Nam, who were playing the match for the pride, levelled the score in the 14th minute from an individual effort of Trong Luan.
“We had to get something from this match as we wanted to conclude the tournament with some promises,” Thai Son Nam’s Italian coach Sergio Gargelli told reporters.
“I must admit that Al Rayyan players were looking a bit tired but we were a better side today and I could see vast improvement in our team,” he added.
Al Rayyan again took the lead when Al Sabah scored his second goal of the tournament in the 24th minute but Thai Son Nam again restored parity when Quoc Nam connected a thunderous strike in the 32nd minute.
Both the sides had a couple of good opportunities later but knowing that a point would be enough for them to secure a passage to the semi-final, Al Rayyan were happy to stay less adventurous in the later part of the match.
“On paper all the three sides were not out of the competition before the match so we knew it would be a difficult match,” Al Rayyan’s Spanish tactician Juan Antonio said.
“It was not the performance I had expected from my boys but we were a bit lucky to get a point from the match and sneaked through to the semis.”
Antonio also agreed on the point raised by Gargelli on the fatigue concern of Al Rayyan players. “It is true, my boys looked tired throughout but it was not their fault, they were playing three matches in a row. The good side of it is tomorrow we have rest day, so the boys will get a good rest and prepare themselves for the semi-final.”