Torkaman ready to drive IR Iran to glory

Thu, 08 May, 2025

Torkaman ready to drive IR Iran to glory

Hohhot: As the clock ticked down towards full time at the Hohhot Sports Centre on Wednesday, the Islamic Republic of Iran faced the prospect of dropping points for the first time ever at the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™.

Champions of both previous editions, the Central Asians had won all 10 matches in their tournament history but were struggling to find a way past an obdurate Philippines side in their Group B opener at China 2025.

But the debutants’ hearts were broken with three minutes left by a rising star of Iran women’s futsal - a name that those in the sport will likely hear a lot more of in the future.

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Preview - Group B: Philippines v Vietnam; Hong Kong, China v IR Iran

Thu, 08 May, 2025

Preview - Group B: Philippines v Vietnam; Hong Kong, China v IR Iran

Hohhot: After both picking up victories in their opening matches of Group B, Islamic Republic of Iran and Vietnam know that three more points on the second matchday of the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 will see them through to the knockout stage.

Defending champions Iran eked out a hard-fought 1-0 win against the Philippines, while Vietnam came out on top in a 5-3 thriller against Hong Kong, China.

The losing duo face off in a crucial game, where anything but a win would almost certainly end their time in Hohhot.

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v Thailand; Bahrain v Japan

Thu, 08 May, 2025

Preview - Group C: Indonesia v Thailand; Bahrain v Japan

Hohhot: Thailand and Japan will look to confirm their places in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 knockout stage with victories on Friday.

Thailand flexed their muscles in their opener, scoring four unanswered goals against Bahrain, while Japan saw off a battling Indonesia 5-2.

For the defeated Matchday One teams, victory is the only option if they are to stay in the running for the knockout stage berths from Group C.

China PR’s Liu taking it easy in World Cup quest

Thu, 08 May, 2025

China PR’s Liu taking it easy in World Cup quest

Hohhot: Since she took up futsal in 2018, Liu Danping carries a charm with her that is inscribed with the words “Hakuna Matata”.

A Swahili phrase made famous by the song of the same name from Disney’s 1994 classic animated film The Lion King, it means “no worries” or “take it easy” - a mantra that the China PR goalkeeper abides by and is reflected in her demeanour on the court.

Group C: Japan 5-2 Indonesia

Thu, 08 May, 2025

Group C: Japan 5-2 Indonesia

Hohhot: Japan produced a dominant display to defeat Indonesia 5-2 in their AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group C opener on Wednesday.

The East Asians took a 4-0 lead going into the break and will expect to continue their momentum going into their match against Bahrain on Friday, while Indonesia have to bounce back against Thailand.

Group B: Vietnam 5-3 Hong Kong, China

Wed, 07 May, 2025

Group B: Vietnam 5-3 Hong Kong, China

Hohhot: A thriller was served up on Wednesday evening in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 as Vietnam defeated Hong Kong, China 5-3.

The Southeast Asians had to weather a spirited comeback from their opponents after leading 3-1 at half-time, before eventually emerging the right side of the eight-goal affair in their Group B opener.

Group C: Thailand 4-0 Bahrain

Wed, 07 May, 2025

Group C: Thailand 4-0 Bahrain

Hohhot: Thailand kicked off their AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 Group C campaign with a resounding 4-0 win against Bahrain at the Hohhot Sports Centre on Wednesday.

The win sets the Southeast Asian side up nicely for their clash against Indonesia on Friday while Bahrain will need victory against Japan to revive their quarter-final hopes.

Group B: IR Iran 1-0 Philippines

Wed, 07 May, 2025

Group B: IR Iran 1-0 Philippines

Hohhot: A late goal from the Islamic Republic of Iran secured a 1-0 victory in their opening match of the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ China 2025 as they saw off the Philippines on Wednesday morning.

Making their tournament debut, the Philippines came within a whisker of pulling off one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s history against the defending champions, who won every one of their 10 matches en-route to claiming the title in both previous editions in 2015 and 2018.

In the end, IR Iran found a way through in the dying stages as Maral Torkaman broke Philippines’ hearts to take all three points in the Group B encounter at the Hohhot Sports Centre.