Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Ho Chi Minh City: Coach Miguel Rodrigo has challenged Japan to prove they deserve to call themselves defending champions at the AFC Futsal Championship ahead of Wednesday’s 2012 final re-match with Thailand in the quarter-finals of this year’s edition.
Japan have already come out on top in a winner-takes all contest in Vietnam after beating Kyrgyzstan 4-0 on Monday to secure second place in Group D after their earlier 2-1 defeat by Uzbekistan had threatened to end the campaign of the two-time champions in the group stage.
But with unbeaten Uzbekistan topping the table following a 3-0 win over Korea Republic, Japan will now face the side they beat 6-1 in the 2012 final in Dubai at Ton Duc Thang University Stadium, with either Kuwait or Australia awaiting in the semi-finals.
“It is a big match. We played in the last final and we are both candidates to win the title. We played our first final against Kyrgyzstan and it was a difficult match so we are ready to play another final. All the results are possible and it will come down to tactics and physical details,” said Rodrigo.
“The result of the previous final is not important, but for the players when you lose or win it is important, and of course I will speak to the players to mentally motivate them that we won 6-1 against Thailand.
“From the first minute we have to play strong and press and show we are champions.”
Thailand topped Group A following wins over Malaysia and Chinese Taipei, although Victor Hermans’ side failed to do so with a 100% record after Lebanon snatched a 3-3 draw on Monday.
And against Japan, Thailand will be without injured goalkeeper Asming Talek and Kritsada Wongkaeo, who scored his second goal of the campaign against Lebanon but was then sent-off soon after following a second yellow card.
“We are happy to be in the quarter-finals, but we are not happy to be playing Japan. We try to win game-by-game, although for us it will be a tough game and we must play at 150% and hope Japan have an off day, otherwise it will be hard for us,” said Thailand coach Hermans.
“Japan can use the result of the previous final as positive motivation, but we can also use it as positive motivation as I can tell the players not to lose 6-1.
“We will be missing two players, one due to a red card and one due to injury, but this gives other players a chance to play.”