With majority of their players representing national teams, the match promises to be an explosive encounter as the two sides have met before in the quarter-finals of the 2015 edition in Isfahan with Iraqi side Nafit edging their opponents 3-2 on penalties after a 4-4 deadlock.

Most recently, Iraq came out tops in the 2018 AFC Futsal Championship quarter-finals in Chinese Taipei to win the tie 9-8 following a gruelling 20- penalty shootout after the match ended 2-2.

Mes Sungun were quick off the blocks and came close to taking the lead in the first minute as they pressed Nafit, but Hossein Tayebibidgoli’s volley from the edge of the area missed the target.

Nafit kept it tight at the back and countered a minute later with Waleed Khalid Al Mayali’s effort but he pulled his shot wide of the post.

It was a tense contest as both teams fought hard for possession and were evenly matched as they struggled to find the net.

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Thai Son Nam’s win sets up an enticing final against the Islamic Republic of Iran club while Beirut will play Nafit Al Wasat in the third-place playoff on Sunday.

Thai Son Nam started with purpose as they tried to get a head start in the game but the Vietnam club found Beirut’s defence hard to breakdown.

Abdultahman Altawail found himself with space and made a surging run in the second minute but Beirut goalkeeper Hussein Hamadani was in top form to deflect the effort.

Beirut, however, did not sit back and went ahead in the second minute when Mahdi Javid timed his run to perfection and his pass found Mouhammad Hammoud unmarked in the box and he made no mistake from close range.

 

The Indonesian club exceeded expectations when they qualified for the Knockout Stage after finishing second in their group on goal difference.

Vamos, a young team that was put together just weeks before the start of the tournament following the exit of established players, took the game to Iraqi side Nafit at the Gor Amongrogo.

Bank of Beirut won a penalty shootout 3-2 after the amazing contest had finished 7-7 after extra time following a remarkable comeback by Bluewave, with the end of regulation time seeing the match tied 6-6.

Beirut found themselves on the back foot as early as the first minute after Suphawut Thueanklang lost his marker on the right and his shot slipped past Beirut goalkeeper Hussein Hamadani to give defending champions Bluewave the lead.

Bluewave played a high-pressing game with captain Kritsada Wongkaeo operating down the middle but Beirut looked dangerous every time they counter attacked.

Unable to find the second goal, Thail club Bluewave changed their strategy and brought in Sorasak Phoonjungreed, Peerapat Kaewwilai, Nattavut Madyalan and Suttiroj Natthapon but it was a move that backfired.

 

Despite Vamos being backed by a partisan crowd, it was Nafit who went ahead after just 50 seconds when the home side failed to make a clean clearance in the box to give Hassan Ali Jabbar the opportunity to score the opening goal.

Nafit, who were swift in attack, were also well organised at the back and dealt with every Vamos attack with ease.

Mustafa Bachay Hamzah came close to doubling Nafit’s lead in the fourth minute when his shot hit the post and seconds later, with the goal at his mercy, Farhad Tavakoli Roozbahani squandered the opportunity.

 

The opening minutes of the match were highly entertaining as both sides took on an aggressive approach from the first blow of the whistle.

Ali Asghar Hassanzadeh opened the scoring within the first minute of the game but Mes Sungun’s had no time to enjoy the lead as Dilshat Kadyrov scored the equaliser from a kick in set-piece just moments after the restart.

Sangsefidi etched his name on the scoresheet in the third minute when a set-piece split Erem’s defence and a string of passes between Farhad Fakhim and Mortteza Ezzati led to Sangsefidi laying the finishing touch.