AFC Futsal Asian Cup
As we continue our buildup, the-AFC.com shifts the spotlight to Group C, with top class action expected from the stellar cast.
Japan
Previous appearances: 17
Best finish: Champions (4 times)
2024 record: Group stage
How they qualified: Group C winners
Fun fact: Other than Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan are the only other nation to have lifted the coveted trophy.
Previous appearances: 17
Best finish: Champions (4 times)
2024 record: Group stage
How they qualified: Group C winners
Fun fact: Other than Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan are the only other nation to have lifted the coveted trophy.
#ACFutsal2022 - FINAL | Islamic Republic of Iran 2 - 3 Japan
Four-time champions Japan will be determined to redeem themselves after exiting at the group stage in 2024, which meant missing out on the FIFA Futsal World Cup.
Kensuke Takahashi has taken over from Kenichiro Kogure as head coach, guiding the East Asian side through an impressive qualifying campaign where they emerged as Group C winners, brushing aside challenges from Tajikistan, Cambodia and Macau.
With a well-balanced squad at his disposal, Takahashi can look to the likes of Yusei Arai, Shunta Uchida and Shoto Yamanaka - who scored 13 goals between them in the Qualifiers - to reclaim their place at the top of Asian futsal.
Kensuke Takahashi has taken over from Kenichiro Kogure as head coach, guiding the East Asian side through an impressive qualifying campaign where they emerged as Group C winners, brushing aside challenges from Tajikistan, Cambodia and Macau.
With a well-balanced squad at his disposal, Takahashi can look to the likes of Yusei Arai, Shunta Uchida and Shoto Yamanaka - who scored 13 goals between them in the Qualifiers - to reclaim their place at the top of Asian futsal.
Uzbekistan
Previous appearances: 17
Best finish: Runners-up (4 times)
2024 record: Third
How they qualified: One of seven best runners-up
Fun fact: Uzbekistan are one of three nations to have played in every edition, the others being Iran and Japan.
Previous appearances: 17
Best finish: Runners-up (4 times)
2024 record: Third
How they qualified: One of seven best runners-up
Fun fact: Uzbekistan are one of three nations to have played in every edition, the others being Iran and Japan.
Uzbekistan will be keen to make their mark after what was a difficult qualifying campaign.
Neighbours Krygyz Republic pipped them to top spot in Group F but wins against Timor-Leste and Palestine meant Uzbekistan were able maintain their record of having never missed a single edition.
The 31-year-old Anaskhon Rakhmatov - who also played in the 2018 and 2024 editions - will be expected to lead their charge as Uzbekistan seek to finally lay their hands on the trophy.
Neighbours Krygyz Republic pipped them to top spot in Group F but wins against Timor-Leste and Palestine meant Uzbekistan were able maintain their record of having never missed a single edition.
The 31-year-old Anaskhon Rakhmatov - who also played in the 2018 and 2024 editions - will be expected to lead their charge as Uzbekistan seek to finally lay their hands on the trophy.
Tajikistan
Previous appearances: 12
Best finish: Fourth (2024)
2024 record: Fourth
How they qualified: One of seven best runners-up
Fun fact: Tajikistan’s consistency is to be admired, having qualified for each of the last 11 editions.
Previous appearances: 12
Best finish: Fourth (2024)
2024 record: Fourth
How they qualified: One of seven best runners-up
Fun fact: Tajikistan’s consistency is to be admired, having qualified for each of the last 11 editions.
Tajikistan will face a familiar foe in Japan, having finished second in Group C of the Qualifiers behind the four-time champions.
Having achieved their best-ever finish when they took fourth place at Thailand 2024, Tajikistan will be aiming to better that at Indonesia 2026.
Key to their chances will be Yorov Idris, who found the net five times in the Qualifiers.
Having achieved their best-ever finish when they took fourth place at Thailand 2024, Tajikistan will be aiming to better that at Indonesia 2026.
Key to their chances will be Yorov Idris, who found the net five times in the Qualifiers.
Australia
Previous appearances: 8
Best finish: Fourth (2012)
2024 record: Group stage
How they qualified: Group A winners
Fun fact: Australia are back for a second successive Finals, having missed the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Previous appearances: 8
Best finish: Fourth (2012)
2024 record: Group stage
How they qualified: Group A winners
Fun fact: Australia are back for a second successive Finals, having missed the 2018 and 2022 editions.
Australia will be keen to further display their improvement after a sterling qualifying campaign where they emerged as Group A winners.
A total of 20 goals scored against Kuwait, India and Mongolia highlights the strength of Miles Downie’s side.
Corey Sewell will be a big miss after his four goals played a crucial part in their successful qualifying campaign but Downie still has dependable scorers in Jordan Guerreiro and Scott Rogan at his disposal.
A total of 20 goals scored against Kuwait, India and Mongolia highlights the strength of Miles Downie’s side.
Corey Sewell will be a big miss after his four goals played a crucial part in their successful qualifying campaign but Downie still has dependable scorers in Jordan Guerreiro and Scott Rogan at his disposal.
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