Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Ho Chi Minh: Asia’s top fourteen futsal club teams discovered their opponents for the AFC Futsal Club Championship Vietnam 2017 on Tuesday after the tournament’s official draw in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
With the eighth edition of the tournament set to take place in Ho Chi Minh from July 20 to 29, Vietnam’s Thai Son Nam FC, who finished third in 2015, will be able to rely on vociferous home support when they mount their title challenge, although they will have Al Dhafra FC (UAE), Vic Vipers FC (AUS) and FC EREM (KGZ) to contend with in what promises to be an entertaining in Group A.
Meanwhile in Group C, Shriker Osaka, who as Japan’s current domestic champions have ensured that Nagoya Oceans will not be retaining the title they won last year, and will look to secure their country’s fourth AFC Futsal Club Championship crown but are guaranteed to encounter stiff opposition from Sanaye Giti Pasand (IRN) and Shenzhen Nanling Tielang (CHN).
Elsewhere, 2016 runners-up Naft Al-Wasat from Iraq have been drawn alongside Al Rayyan SC (QAT), Vamos FC (IDN) and Disi Invest (TJK) in Group B, while Thailand’s Chonburi Bluewave - who were crowned champions four years ago - will look to improve on last year’s third-place finish starting with a strong Group D display against FC Almalyk (UZB) and Bank of Beirut FC (LIB).
The group winners and runners-up from each group - eight (8) teams in total - will qualify for the quarter-finals. The four (4) winners of the quarter-finals will then qualify for the semi-finals, with the winners of those advancing to the final. The two losing teams will face each other in the third and fourth placing match.
Vietnam Football Federation President Le Hung Dung, who gave the opening remarks, said: “Futsal continues to to make great strides in Asia. In Vietnam, the game holds a special place with our passionate fans, players and teams.
“The rise of futsal in Asia can be seen and felt right here in Vietnam. Through the hosting of premier futsal competitions, we want to strengthen the development of the game not only in Vietnam, but throughout the continent.”
Group A
Thai Son Nam FC (VIE)
AL DHAFRA FC (UAE)
VIC VIPERS FC (AUS)
FC EREM (KGZ)
Group B
NAFIT AL-WASAT (IRQ)
AL RAYYAN SC (QAT)
VAMOS FC (IDN)
DISI INVEST (TJK)
Group C
SHRIKER OSAKA (JPN)
SANAYE GITI PASAND (IRN)
SHENZHEN NANLING TIELANG (CHN)
Group D
BLUE WAVE CHONBURI (THA)
FC ALMALYK (UZB)
BANK OF BEIRUT FC (LIB)
Matchday One
July 20, Thursday
Phu Tho Stadium, Ho Chi Minh
Shenzhen Nanling Tielang v Shriker Osaka
Al Dhafra v Vic Vipers
Thai Son Nam v FC EREM
Photo: AFC