Thais target first title
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Thailand have targeted a maiden AFC futsal title today against Japan as they seek momentum for their Futsal World Cup campaign on home soil later this year.
The Thais pulled off possibly the biggest upset ever in the Asian Futsal Championship in Dubai on Wednesday when they stunned an Iranian side who have won all but one of the previous 12 editions, to book a final against the Japanese.
The Thais’ tough semifinal task against such overwhelming favourites at the Al Wasl Indoor Stadium became even harder when the Middle East side opened up a twogoal advantage inside the opening seven minutes through strikes by Vahid Shamsaee and Hossein Tayebi.
But Suphawut Thueanklang began the Thai fightback when he struck soon afterwards to leave his side just one goal behind at the break. Javad Ashgharimoghaddam then restored Iran’s twogoal cushion before Suphawut again reduced the deficit. A Jirawat Sornwichian effort soon after sent the thrilling semifinal into extratime.
Apiwat Chaemcharoen put the Thais in front for the first time in the 10minute extratime period. But in a dramatic end to the absorbing contest Shamsaee equalised before Suphawut became a hero with a decisive strike to seal an exhilarating 54 win.
“This match was unbelievable and the whole team is very proud of what we have achieved so far,” Suphawut told Asian Football Confederation website theafc.com.
“But we were confident we could win the game as we have great belief in ourselves. We are a young team but we have a great spirit and we all help each other on the court.”
Suphawut has clearly hit form with eight goals in nine matches at the championship. But none of the GH Bank RBAC player’s efforts so far has been more important than his winner against Iran, particularly as it came just after he seemed to have spurned glory in allowing Mostafa Nazari to save his penalty.
“Taking the penalty, I could sense the weight of support from the fans back home and it was very disappointing to miss. But when I scored the winner it was the one of my happiest moments ever.
“Now, if we beat Japan and become champions here it will boost our confidence for hosting the World Cup and should inspire us to at least get to the second round.”
The final between Thailand and Japan, which kicks off at 10.30pm Bangkok time, will be shown live on both theafc.com and Channel 7.
