Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Chengdu: Coach Pazos Mendez admitted reigning Asian champions Chonburi Bluewave will no longer hold the element of surprise ahead of their AFC Futsal Club Championship Group B opener against Al Qadsia at Shuangliu Sports Center on Monday.
In last year’s competition, the Thai side, who had never previously advanced past the group stages, shocked the continent by going unbeaten to lift the 2013 title by defeating holders Sanaye Giti Pasand of Iran 4-1 in a penalty shootout in an epic final played in Japan.
This year, though, with Chonburi also due to face Dabiri Tabriz of Iran and Lebanon’s Bank of Beirut SC in the group stages, Mendez’s side will bear the mantle of defending champions and as such will be anything but underestimated.
“Nobody thought we’d win last year, but we did. So maybe this year the teams have been preparing for us in a different way and it will be much tougher as a result,” said the Spaniard.
“We want to win the title again but we know we have a very tough group and each game will be difficult with the difference between the sides only in the small details.”
Opponents Al Qadisa from Kuwait have encountered Thai sides within the last month following a training camp in Bangkok that featured friendly matches against local teams, and coach Fabio Cortez is determined that his side will put on a good showing in Chengdu.
“We’re very much planning for the future and want to gain experience in this tournament and step-by-step to improve,” said Al Qadsia coach Cortez.
“Even though it’s the first time we’re appearing in this competiton, we think we can make a very good performance and we’re ready to play.”
Dabiri Tabriz, meanwhile, face Bank of Beirut SC with coach Hossein Shams hoping to sprinkle his gold dust for a third time after being on the coaching staff of 2010 AFC Futsal Club Championship winners Foolad Mahan and Giti Pasand Isfahan, champions of the 2012 edition.
“With due respect to all the teams, Iranian teams come to futsal tournaments to win the title. So that’s why we’re here: to win the cup,” said Tabriz coach Shams.
“We are in a difficult group, of course, with the defending champions Chonburi who will want to defend their title, so we will have a very tough mission in this tournament.”
Bank of Beirut SC, who won the 2013-14 Lebanese Futsal League title in their first year of existence, will be hoping to continue their development with the club still very much in their formative years.
“We came here to see our level and compare ourselves with the best teams in Asia. And our group absolutely has that with a team from the best futsal country in Asia, the current Asian champions and a side from a country that is developing very fast in futsal terms,” said Bank of Beirut SC coach Dejan Dedovic.
“Our team is very young and for most of our players it will be their first continental experience. I hope it will be an opportunity for all of them to improve themselves and take the team to the next level.”