Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Dubai: Japan coach Miguel Rodrigo's pre-match predictions of a 'tight' quarter-final with Kyrgyzstan were spot on as the 2006 champions scraped into the final-four of the 2012 AFC Futsal Championship with a 1-0 victory.
The opening exchanges were an evenly-fought affair until Japan broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Rafael Henmi maintained his record of scoring in every game at the 2012 AFC Futsal Championship with a powerful long-range drive that the usually dependable Kiril Ermolov deflected into his own net
As it transpired it was the lapse in concentration from Ermolov, who had been singled out by Rodrigo as one of the best keeper at the tournament, the decided an extremely tense and cagey match that the Japanese dominated in terms of possession and chances.
Japan will now face Australia in Wednesday's semi-final after edging Kuwait 3-2 in extra-time of their quarter-final at the Al Shabab Stadium while defending champions Iran take on 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup hosts Thailand, whose victory over Lebanon opened the door for the Kuwaitis to qualify for the World Cup as the losing quarter-finalist with the best record.