Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Tashkent: Konstantin Sviridov scored the winning spot-kick to send hosts Uzbekistan into the final of the AFC Futsal Championship after a 3-1 penalty shootout win over Thailand in the semi-final on Friday after the game at Uzbekistan Stadium ended 2-2 after extra time.
Thailand’s top scorer Suphawut Thueanklang came closest to breaking the deadlock in a goalless first half when he struck the woodwork before Dilshod Rakhmatov’s fifth of the tournament put the hosts a goal to the good early in the second half.
But Jetsada Chudech levelled things up for Thailand soon after and Apiwat Chaemcharoen gave them the lead in extra-time before power-play player Artur Yunusov equalised two minutes from the end as the tie went to penalties.
Feruz Fakhiriddinov scored the opening penalty before Suphawut struck back. Dilshod Irsaliev put the Uzbeks 2-1 up and after goalkeeper Rustam Umarov saved from Jirawat Sornwichian, Sviridov fired home the winner.
Thailand got off to a strong start and Suphawut worked Umarov early on before Apiwat blazed over from close in shortly after.
Then, seven minutes in, Uzbekistan had a chance at the other end when Dilshod Rakhmatov played down the line to Farkhod Abdumavlyanov but his shot from a tight angle was blocked by Thai stopper Kanison Phoopun.
Suphawut had another sight on goal on eight minutes after receiving the ball from Apiwat only to see Umarov again win the duel before his low drive lashed off the foot of the post just seconds later.
The hosts then had their best chance of the game five minutes before the interval but Javlon Anorov could not adjust his body quickly enough to divert Nodir Elibaev’s cross-cum-shot into the net and the ball struck him and looped over.
Jose Maria Pazos’ Uzbekistan took control after the restart and went in front in the 23rd minute when Rakhmatov turned home Yunusov’s corner to spark joyous celebrations.
But Thailand came straight back into the game and Jetsada toe-poked the ball under Umarov for his fourth of the campaign a minute later.
With the tie firmly in the balance Yunusov then deflected wide from distance in the 27th minute before Anorov fired at Kanison midway through the half.
The Southeast Asians could have taken the lead in the 33rd minute but Wiwat Thaijaruen’s effort was well saved by Umarov following a neat ball from Suphawut.
And Dilshod Irsaliev was denied by Kanison soon after at the other end before firing the rebound high and wide.
Suphawut’s volley from Jirawat’s corner from the right then bounced over with a minute to play before Apiwat side-footed wide in the dying seconds.
But Thailand went in front in the first minute of extra-time when Suphawut’s left-foot cross was cleverly turned into the net by Apiwat for his second of the competition.
Then with two minutes remaining, Yunusov tapped home Anorov’s cross at the back post to even things up once more ensuring the game would be decided from the spot.
Fakhriddinov and Irsaliev scored for the hosts and after Suphawut had converted his penalty, Umarov saved from Jirawat to leave Sviridov to score the winner.
Photo: AFC