Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Taipei: Penalty shoot-out hero insists his side are up for the challenge of Japan in the final four of the AFC Futsal Championship 2018.
After a mammoth 19 penalties had come and gone, with the spot-kick scores at 9-8 in favour of Iraq following the 2-2 draw in the quarter-final against Lebanon, goalkeeper Zaher Mahdi’s time was set to come.
The Cedars’ number 3, Mustafa Rhyem, was next up and – despite the last 14 penalties having been successfully converted since Iraq’s Hasan Dakheel had spurned the chance to win the match – Mahdi’s moment, that he’d thought about since he’d started the day, arrived.
“When I woke up this morning, I felt really excited and that something good was going to happen,” the 20-year-old said.
“I just had this feeling that I was going to have an impact in the match and help my country. I had a feeling that this was going to be ‘my game’.”
www.the-afc.com/en/more/photo/lebanon_vs_iraq_fc2018.html
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Taipei: Reigning champions Islamic Republic of Iran are on the brink of another title to add to their trophy cabinet. Joining them in the semi-finals are Uzbekistan, Japan and Iraq. the-AFC.com takes a look at how each side reached the last four.
AFC Futsal Championship semi-final fixtures (kick-off times are local):
Iraq v Japan
Venue: Xinzhuang Gymnasium
Date: February 9
Kick-off: 1600 hrs
IR Iran v Uzbekistan
Venue: Xinzhuang Gymnasium
Date: February 9
Kick-off: 1900 hrs
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Taipei: Iraq will make their first-ever appearance in the AFC Futsal Championship semi-finals after a 9-8 penalty shootout win over Lebanon following a 2-2 draw on Thursday at University of Taipei Gymnasium.
Goalkeeper Zaher Mahdi was Iraq’s hero saving the match-ending penalty with a smart dive to his right to deny Mustafa Rhyem.
Having appeared in 10 editions of the competition, the Iraqis finally broke new ground in reaching the final four, progressing from the quarter-final phase at their third attempt.
Although Lebanon controlled the tempo for the opening periods, it was Iraq who took the lead from a route one play.
Starting goalkeeper Yahya Abdulnoor’s long throw upfield caught Lebanon’s backline out as Salim Faisal lost his marker to volley past ‘keeper Hussein Hamadani.
The scores were drawn level midway through the half, though, as Lebanon captain Kasem Koussam polished off a quick-fire move involving Ahmad Kheir El Dine and Ali El Homsi with an assured finish.
Abdulnoor then had to stretch out a leg to turn Karim Abou Zeid’s low shot around the post as the Lebanese finished on top at the interval.
Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Taipei: Japan will play Iraq in the AFC Futsal Championship semi-finals after they defeated Bahrain 2-0 in Thursday’s quarter-final.
The Bahrainis were appearing in their first-ever knockout stage tie at the continental tournament and coach Adel Abdulrahman and his team had previously spoken of the challenge they faced against the three-time champions from East Asia.
As such, the West Asian nation set their stall out early, looking to sit back and play on the counter, but with six minutes gone Japan took the lead after Koichi Saito finished smartly from Shota Hoshi’s pass across from the left.
The Samurai Blue, who controlled proceedings for large spells in the first half as Bahrain defended deep and invited pressure, had further chances through Yuki Murota, but goalkeeper Sayed Fadhel was equal to his efforts.
On the occasions Bahrain attacked, usually taking the direct route, captain Mohamed Al Sandi worked hard to create opportunities for his side and Jassam Saleh tested Higor Pires on several occasions.