AFC President congratulates Japan on clinching fourth AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ crown

Sun, 09 Oct, 2022

AFC President congratulates Japan on clinching fourth AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ crown

Kuala Lumpur: AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has congratulated Japan on claiming their fourth AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ title after defeating the Islamic Republic of Iran 3-2 at the Saad Al Abdullah Hall in Kuwait City on Saturday.

Kenichiro Kogure's charges showed tremendous grit to come from behind to reclaim the trophy they last won in 2014 against a dominant IR Iran side who had scored 37 goals and conceded just twice en route to the Final.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_futsal_asian_cup/video/acfutsal2022_-_final_|_islamic_republic_of_iran_2_-_3_japan.html

Unity, self belief secured Japan championship, says Kogure

Sun, 09 Oct, 2022

Unity, self belief secured Japan championship, says Kogure

Kuwait City: Head coach Kenichiro Kogure attributed unity and self belief as the keys to Japan lifting their fourth AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ title on Saturday. 

Japan had a rough start to their Kuwait 2022 campaign, falling 2-1 to Saudi Arabia on Matchday One of the Group Stage, but the team’s unity and self belief saw the East Asians overcome all challenges to eventually dethrone Islamic Republic of Iran with a 3-2 comeback win at the Saad Al Abdullah Hall. 

Shamsaee: IR Iran will learn from final heartbreak

Sun, 09 Oct, 2022

Shamsaee: IR Iran will learn from final heartbreak

Kuwait City: Islamic Republic of Iran were unable to defend their AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ title after falling 3-2 to Japan in the Kuwait 2022 final, and head coach Vahid Shamsaee hopes his players can learn from Saturday's heartbreaking defeat. 

Iran opened the scoring at the Saad Al Abdullah Hall through Saied Ahmad Abbasi’s 15th-minute strike, only for Kazuya Shimizu to cancel out their lead a minute later. 

Despite Shamsaee's side dominating,  Japan took the lead in the second half through Arthur Oliveira’s sublime free-kick, and went further behind when Abbasi scored an own goal in the final minute, with Alireza Javan Shahkali’s last ditch effort coming too late as Iran were denied a record-extending 13th title.

Synergy led to Uzbekistan’s third-place finish, says Akhmedov

Sun, 09 Oct, 2022

Synergy led to Uzbekistan’s third-place finish, says Akhmedov

Kuwait City: Head coach Bakhodir Akhmedov credited the synergy between Uzbekistan’s young and experienced players for the Central Asian side’s third-place finish in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022 on Saturday. 

Uzbekistan were simply unstoppable after bouncing back from a goal down to defeat Thailand 8-2 at the Saad Al Abdullah Hall. 

IR Iran's Oladghobad scoops Most Valuable Player Award

Sun, 09 Oct, 2022

IR Iran's Oladghobad scoops Most Valuable Player Award

Kuwait City: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Moslem Oladghobad was named the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022 Most Valuable Player on Saturday. 

Oladghobad put in a sparkling performance throughout the tournament and played a key role in Iran reaching the final.

Japan's Kuromoto lands Best Goalkeeper honour

Sun, 09 Oct, 2022

Japan's Kuromoto lands Best Goalkeeper honour

Kuwait City: Guilherme Kuromoto was named the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022 Best Goalkeeper on Saturday. 

The 36-year-old goalkeeper not only helped Japan defeat Islamic Republic of Iran in the final but his performance throughout the tournament played a major role in Japan winning the title for a fourth time.

IR Iran’s Tayebi wins Yili Top Scorer Award

Sun, 09 Oct, 2022

IR Iran’s Tayebi wins Yili Top Scorer Award

Kuwait City: Islamic Republic of Iran’s Hossein Tayebi won the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022 Yili Top Scorer award on Saturday. 

The skipper displayed an amazing performance, scoring 10 goals in six matches as Iran finished runners-up to Japan after a pulsating final.