Preview - Playoffs: Iraq v Afghanistan; Vietnam v Kyrgyz Republic

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Preview - Playoffs: Iraq v Afghanistan; Vietnam v Kyrgyz Republic

Bangkok: The four losing quarter-finalists of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 will compete for the sole remaining spot in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 on Friday.

Iraq, who have never featured in the World Cup, will take on debutants Afghanistan, while Vietnam face Kyrgyz Republic.

The two winners will then face off with the victors to be Asia’s fifth representatives at the FIFA Futsal World Cup, joining Islamic Republic of Iran, Tajikistan, Thailand and hosts Uzbekistan.

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_futsal_asian_cup/video/acfutsal2024_|_quarter-final__thailand_3_-_2_iraq.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_futsal_asian_cup/video/acfutsal2024_|_quarter-final__tajikistan_2_-_1_afghanistan.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_futsal_asian_cup/video/acfutsal2024_|_quarter-final__uzbekistan_2_-_1_vietnam.html

www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_futsal_asian_cup/video/acfutsal2024_|_quarter-final__islamic_republic_of_iran_6_-_1_kyrgyz_republic.html

Semi-finalists confirmed, Uzbekistan 2024 door still open for four

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Semi-finalists confirmed, Uzbekistan 2024 door still open for four

Bangkok: The four losing quarter-finalists of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 will get another crack at securing a spot at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024, following Uzbekistan’s progress to the semi-finals on Wednesday.

The quarter-final ties played at the Hua Mark Indoor Arena and Bangkok Arena witnessed 12-time winners Islamic Republic of Iran defeat Kyrgyz Republic 6-1 to set up a last four showdown with Uzbekistan on Friday while Thailand - who earned a hard-fought 2-1 win over Iraq - will meet Tajikistan, who edged debutants Afghanistan 2-1 to make the continental semi-finals and FIFA Futsal World Cup for the first time. 

Uzbekistan roar to last four spot

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Uzbekistan roar to last four spot

Bangkok: Uzbekistan sealed their place in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 semi-finals after coming from behind to edge Vietnam 2-1 in their last-eight tie on Wednesday.

While Uzbekistan will continue their bid to win the continental title for the first time in the semi-finals against Islamic Republic of Iran, Vietnam's hopes of qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 now depend on navigating through a playoff.

Thailand fight back to beat Iraq

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Thailand fight back to beat Iraq

Bangkok: Therdsak Charoenphong’s dramatic late winner saw hosts Thailand defeat Iraq 3-2 on Wednesday to book a semi-final meeting with Tajikistan at AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 and qualify for the 2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup, which will take place in Uzbekistan this September.

Goals from Salim Al Husaynat and Tareq Sulaiman put Iraq in a strong position early on before Alongkorn Janphon responded in the final moments of the first half to reduce the deficit at half-time.
 
Alongkorn’s equaliser after the restart set-up a grandstand finish and Therdsak’s winner with just over a minute remaining saw Thailand take their place in the final four of the continental competition and ensured participation in the FIFA Futsal World Cup for the seventh time in a row.
 
Iraq will need to wait for the result of the last quarter-final tie between Uzbekistan and Vietnam to find out if their time at the tournament has ended or will be extended to Friday’s play-off semi-finals.

IR Iran turn on the power

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

IR Iran turn on the power

Bangkok: Islamic Republic of Iran booked their place in the semi-finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand™ 2024 after defeating Kyrgyz Republic 6-1 in their last eight tie at the Bangkok Arena on Wednesday.

The win meant the 12-time champions also punched their ticket to the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024, with a meeting against Uzbekisttan or Vietnam in Friday’s semi-finals.

Kyrgyz Republic, meanwhile, will need to wait for the outcome of the day’s last quarter-final between Uzbekistan and Vietnam to learn whether their campaign has concluded, or they will return to action in Friday’s playoffs.

Tajikistan edge Afghanistan to create history

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Tajikistan edge Afghanistan to create history

Bangkok: Fayzali Sardorov’s extra-time winner saw Tajikistan edge out Afghanistan 2-1 in Wednesday’s AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ Thailand 2024 quarter-final to secure a place in the semi-finals for the first time and qualification for a maiden FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Afghanistan, meanwhile, will need to wait for the outcome of the day’s last quarter-final tie between Uzbekistan and Vietnam to learn whether their campaign has concluded, or they will return to action in Friday’s play-off semi-finals.

Kewell: Marinos can handle any kind of pressure

Thu, 25 Apr, 2024

Kewell: Marinos can handle any kind of pressure

Yokohama: Harry Kewell expressed pride in the resilience of his players after Yokohama F. Marinos advanced to the AFC Champions League™ 2023/24 final on Wednesday.

In a frenetic encounter at a rain-soaked Yokohama International Stadium, the Japanese side took a 3-0 lead by the 30th minute and 3-1 on aggregate, only to be pegged back by Korea Republic's Ulsan Hyundai with the match then needing penalties to decide the outcome.
 
Amazingly, Marinos played almost 90 minutes with 10 men, with Takumi Kamijima having been sent off in the 39th minute but not only did they not concede again, Kewell's side won the shootout 5-4.   

Mariners’ Jackson eyes title, heartbreak for Abdysh-Ata’s Akhmedov

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

Mariners’ Jackson eyes title, heartbreak for Abdysh-Ata’s Akhmedov

Gosford: Head coach Mark Jackson has firmly set his eyes on the big prize after his Central Coast Mariners side defeated FK Abdysh-Ata Kant 4-1 on aggregate to clinch a place in the AFC Cup™ 2023/24 final against Lebanon’s Al Ahed FC.

The 46-year-old Englishman, while delighted that his players passed a  stiff test, does not see it as the end of a journey for his Australian outfit, saying the club from top to bottom stand together in their bid to win the final edition of the AFC Cup.

#AFCU23 - Group Stage In Numbers

Wed, 24 Apr, 2024

#AFCU23 - Group Stage In Numbers

Doha: The AFC U23 Asian Cup enters the knockout stage on Thursday with eight teams still in the hunt for the title and tickets to the Paris Olympics 2024.

Ahead of the quarter-final action which kicks off on Thursday, the-AFC.com takes a look at some key facts and figures from the exciting group stage.