VietNamNet Bridge – The Japanese futsal team beat Thailand 5-2 in the first semi-final yesterday, November 4, in Tan Binh Gymnasium to face Jordan, who got past Iran 2-1, in the final match of the women’s futsal event at the third Asian Indoor Games.

Japan and Thailand started the match off with some caution, with little action until the fifth minute when Miru Utsugi missed a good chance as her point-blank flick from Shiori Nakajima’s cross went wide past the empty net.

The incident boosted Japan’s confidence and they pushed forward and the match became more exciting, with many attacking exchanges from both teams. Though points remained elusive.

After squandering many chances, Japanese players opened the scoring at the 11th minute. Miru fed the ball to unmarked Sayo Kikkawa on the left wing and Sayo placed a low shot past Thai goalkeeper Pannipa Juijaroen.

The Thais bounced back with lively and speedy Siranya Srimanee and Orathai Srimanee and five minutes later the latter took full advantage of a mistake from Japanese goalkeeper Sakae Honda to tap in an equaliser and ensure a parity before the interval.

Shiori restored Japan’s lead four minutes into the second period and Azumi increased the lead to 3-1 three minutes later. Then in a scramble in front of the Thai goal, Sayo got the ball and slotted it home to make it 4-1 at the half hour mark.

Srimanee lashed home to reduce the deficit to 4-2 but that was all they could do against Japan’s disciplined defence. Thailand periodically replaced the goalkeeper with skipper Jiraprapa Tupsuri to pile more pressure on Japan, but the plan backfired when at the last minute Shiori fired the ball into the empty net to complete the victory 5-2 for Japan.

Meanwhile, at Phu Tho Gymnasium, where the men’s futsal matches take place, top favourite Iran proved their superior status in futsal by demolishing Malaysia 16-1 in the quarter-final.

The two-time Asian Indoor Games champions will have a rematch against Turkmenistan, who overcame Jordan 3-2, in the semi-final today.

In an earlier encounter between the two teams at the first round match of group stage, Iran easily beat its opponent 8-3. So it may not be too hard for Iran to reach the finals.

Ekapong Suratsawang scored a hattrick to help Thailand come back from 3-2 down to beat Kuwait 7-4 and set up semi-final encounter against Uzbekistan, who stunned Japan 5-3 in the last quarter-final.

VietNamNet/Viet Nam News

 

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