Viet Nam to face powerhouse Iran in Asian Futsal Cup
VGP — Coach Diego Giustozzi said Viet Nam must be really focused when playing Iran in the quarter-finals of the Asian Futsal Cup on October 4 in Kuwait.
Vietnamese players tribute their supporters after their last group match against Japan on October 2 in Kuwait. Viet Nam lose 2-0 and will play Iran in the last eight round.
Viet Nam lost 2-0 to Japan in the last match of Group D on October 2 but qualified for the knock-out phrase as the second-placed team.
Having same six points, Japan finished as the group winner due to their better goal difference. They will play Group C's runner-up Indonesia.
The three-time champion Japan dominated much of the ball possession creating consecutive attack against Viet Nam as they must win the game to continue with the tournament.
Captain Arthur Oliveira, Neto Antonio Hirata, Shimizu Kazuya and Tomoki Yoshikawa tested Vietnamese keeper Ho Van Y's skills from the third minute of the match.
Y was super hero as he denied many attempts from the title favourite team. But the Vietnamese defence was broken at the sixth minute.
Shimizu Kazuya, who played for Viet Nam champion club Thai Son Nam, collected Kentaro Ishida's cross at the edge of the box, and past Y to open the score.
He secured his double in the 36th minute when he brilliantly struck home to seal the win for Japan.
Viet Nam played in defence but also then switch to power play style but none of their attempts was successful.
Coach Giustozzi said power play was expected to help Vietnamese side to manage more ball while open chances to score goal. All were to ensure his team's top place in group C.
However, it was players' mentality problem after conceding two goals. They could not hold the composure and bravery which were necessary to win a game.
He said things must be fixed but he had not enough time. There was only one day off to prepare for the quarter-finals.
"My players performed really well in the group round. We will have to make plan for the knockout. Players must be focused totally against Iran who are the most powerful team in Asia," he said.
The Argentinean coach said he believed in his players and wanted them to be confident and have faith in themselves and their teammates.
Iran is the tournament defending champions, advancing to a quarter-final with a 100 per cent record. The 12-time champion has scored 24 goals and conceded one in three matches.
Two other matches will be between Thailand versus Tajikistan and Uzbekistan versus Kuwait./.
