IR Iran’s Oladghobad, Aghapour ready for rematch against Japan

Sat, 08 Oct, 2022

IR Iran’s Oladghobad, Aghapour ready for rematch against Japan

Kuwait City: Moslem Oladghobad is primed and ready for Islamic Republic of Iran’s rematch against Japan when he plays in his second AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022 final on Saturday. 

Oladghobad was part of Iran’s winning team in Chinese Taipei 2018 after beating Japan 4-0, and while the No. 8 forward is expecting a different challenge four years on, he is hoping to repeat that success at the Saad Al Abdullah Hall. 

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Preview - Final: IR Iran v Japan

Fri, 07 Oct, 2022

Preview - Final: IR Iran v Japan

Kuwait City: Islamic Republic of Iran are confident of defending their AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ title when they go up against perennial rivals Japan in the final on Saturday. 

It will be the eighth meeting between the two teams in the final, and a repeat of the 2018 edition where Iran emerged 4-0 winners. 

The rematch will also be a reunion between Iran head coach Vahid Shamsaee and his Japan counterpart Kenichiro Kogure, as both were foes as players. 

Preview - Third Place Playoff: Thailand v Uzbekistan

Fri, 07 Oct, 2022

Preview - Third Place Playoff: Thailand v Uzbekistan

Kuwait City: Thailand and Uzbekistan will not be lacking motivation with both seeking to end their AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022 campaigns on a high note in the third-place playoff on Saturday. 

Thailand lost 5-0 to defending champions Islamic Republic of Iran in the semi-finals while Uzbekistan were defeated 2-1 by a resurgent Japan on Thursday.

Oladghobad: IR Iran just focused on our game and strategy

Fri, 07 Oct, 2022

Oladghobad: IR Iran just focused on our game and strategy

Kuwait City: Islamic Republic of Iran were simply unstoppable as they cruised 5-0 past Thailand in their AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022 semi-final on Thursday, a win that MVP Moslem Oladghobad said was the result of the defending champions executing their game plan to perfection. 

Iran seized the advantage through Hossein Tayebi within seconds of the kick off, but Thailand fought back to keep the game within reach in the first half. 

Mohammadhossein Derakhshani then doubled Iran’s lead two minutes into the second half, before Oladghobad scored a brace, with Derakhshani putting the game beyond doubt with the final goal of the evening at the Saad Al Abdullah Hall. 

Teamwork made the dream work for Japan, says Kogure

Fri, 07 Oct, 2022

Teamwork made the dream work for Japan, says Kogure

Kuwait City: Head coach Kenichiro Kogure hailed his players’ unity and hard work, which he said were crucial in Japan defeating Uzbekistan 2-1 to advance to the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022 final on Thursday. 

Japan bounced back from a first-half deficit with a strong second half performance, with Arthur Oliveira and Sora Kanazawa’s efforts seeing them through. 

Thailand’s Cesar Gago rues missed opportunities, vows improvement

Fri, 07 Oct, 2022

Thailand’s Cesar Gago rues missed opportunities, vows improvement

Kuwait City: Head coach Carlos Cesar Gago believes his Thailand side can only improve after losing 5-0 to Islamic Republic of Iran in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Kuwait 2022 semi-finals on Thursday. 

Despite conceding within seconds of the kick-off, Thailand were able to stand their ground in the first half but simply couldn’t contain the defending champions in the second period.