Shaikh Salman urges AFC contingent to maintain Asia’s proud legacy 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Shaikh Salman urges AFC contingent to maintain Asia’s proud legacy 

Kaunas: With the focus shifting to the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™, which will commence on Sunday, Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa has conveyed his best wishes to Asia’s teams and officials and urged them to continue the Continent’s proud legacy at the global futsal showpiece. 

Five Asian teams – the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam – will be setting their sights on a successful tournament alongside eight AFC match officials, which include IR Iran’s Gelareh Nazemi, who is poised to become the first female AFC referee to officiate at the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Preview: Asia's challengers at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Preview: Asia's challengers at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 

Kaunas: Asia will be represented by five teams at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 with the continent’s representatives determined to make an impact.

To be played across three venues, the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 will see Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Uzbekistan, Thailand and Vietnam carrying Asia’s challenge.

The six group winners and runners-up, together with the four best third-placed teams will advance to the Round of 16. Join the-AFC.com as we preview the Asian teams aiming for glory in the September 12-October 3 FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021.

​​Rakhmatov: Uzbekistan have learned Futsal World Cup lessons

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

​​Rakhmatov: Uzbekistan have learned Futsal World Cup lessons

Tashkent: Uzbekistan's Dilshod Rakhmatov enters the 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania™ with a clear goal: to make his country proud. It is only their second appearance at the global showpiece but the Dalian Yuan Dynasty man has high hopes of a memorable campaign.

"I am glad to have this opportunity to showcase our progress and defend the honour of our country," the 31-year-old told FIFA.com. "We are coming to represent Uzbekistan and I feel that I am in the peak of my career."

Nazemosharia: IR Iran a force to be reckoned with in FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Nazemosharia: IR Iran a force to be reckoned with in FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021

Tehran: Having taken Islamic Republic of Iran's futsal to new heights at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016™, Mohammad Nazemosharia is determined to kick on. The architect of Team Melli’s third-place finish five years ago – the best ever by an Asian side – he is planning another stellar showing at Lithuania 2021.

The tournament, which runs from September 12 to October 3, will be IR Iran’s eighth futsal world finals.

“The World Cup is a hugely important tournament for us,” Nazemosharia told FIFA.com. “We’ve already shown that we’re a good side and a team to be reckoned with. In Lithuania we’ll show the whole world the quality and power of Iranian futsal.”

Wongkaeo: Thailand have a real chance of making FIFA Futsal World Cup history

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Wongkaeo: Thailand have a real chance of making FIFA Futsal World Cup history

Bangkok: Thailand captain Kritsada Wongkaeo seems to be a key figure whenever his nation is reaching new futsal milestones. Nine years back, he figured prominently scoring twice for the hosts at the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand™ where his side stormed into the Round of 16 for the first time. 

Four years later, the dynamic winger was on fire racking up another four goals at Colombia 2016 as Thailand again progressed to the second round, this time for the first time on foreign soil.

And if his past World Cup form is anything to go by, it seems that Wongkaeo looks set to break more new ground at Lithuania 2021 this September.

Asia's best learn of FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™ challengers 

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asia's best learn of FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™ challengers 

Zurich: Twelve-time Asian champions Islamic Republic of Iran were drawn with reigning champions Argentina in Group F of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021™ on Tuesday.

Iran, who finished third in the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup, also have USA and Serbia for company in Group F with the Central Asians to open their campaign against Serbia on September 14.

Asian Playoff - 2nd Leg: Draw enough for Vietnam to deny Lebanon Finals ticket

Thu, 28 Oct, 2021

Asian Playoff - 2nd Leg: Draw enough for Vietnam to deny Lebanon Finals ticket

Khor Fakkan: Vietnam secured the final Asian ticket for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Lithuania 2021 after 1-1 draw against Lebanon in their second leg playoff tie on Tuesday, with the Southeast Asian side advancing on away goals. 

Vietnam took the lead through Chau Doan Phat with Ali Tneich equalising for Lebanon but it was not to be enough for the West Asians to seal a place in the FIFA Futsal World Cup for the first time.

Vietnam join Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Uzbekistan and Thailand, who were the other playoff winners, in the tournament Finals, scheduled to kick off on September 12.