AFC Futsal Asian Cup
Quarter-finalists in 2024, Iraq and Kyrgyz Republic will look to start their respective campaigns with a statement performance while Indonesia will be counting on home support against Korea Republic.
Iraq v Krygyz Republic
Venue: Indonesia Arena (Jakarta)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 15:00 (UTC+7)
A place in the quarter-finals is the target for Iraq and Kyrgyz Republic as they prepare to face-off in Tuesday’s tournament opener.
Iraq head coach Joao Carlos wants his team to approach the group stage one game at a time and is confident that his team have what it takes to go through.
“The group is very strong,” said Carlos. “Our objective is to reach the knockout stage but we go step by step. The first match is very difficult but hopefully, we can qualify with one win at a time.
“The group is very strong,” said Carlos. “Our objective is to reach the knockout stage but we go step by step. The first match is very difficult but hopefully, we can qualify with one win at a time.
“We had to change two players because of injuries but compared to the Qualifiers, even though our team is younger, we believe that we can compete.”
Kyrgyz Republic head coach Nurjan Djetybaev is equally confident as he was able to bring the best available squad to Jakarta.
Like Iraq, Kyrgyz Republic finished top in their Qualifiers with Djetybaev determined to lay down a marker on their ambitions for the tournament.
Like Iraq, Kyrgyz Republic finished top in their Qualifiers with Djetybaev determined to lay down a marker on their ambitions for the tournament.
“Our target in the group is that we want to reach the latter stage and how we perform will show how far we can go,” said Djetybaev.
“I have the full squad available and the players are excited. This is a younger team than before but we are ready and hopefully, things will go according to plan.”
#ACFutsal | Preview: Group Stage
Indonesia v Korea Republic
Venue: Indonesia Arena (Jakarta)
Venue: Indonesia Arena (Jakarta)
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:00 (UTC+7)
Indonesia are battling with rising expectations as the hosts prepare to kickstart their campaign against Korea Republic, with head coach Hector Souto aware the challenge is tougher than what the fans think.
“We’re in a difficult group with amazing teams,” said Souto. “Preparations went well, we lost some players but we’re ready for the matches.
“We’re the only ones that didn’t qualify. We must be aware these teams are strong. We analysed them. Kyrgyz were first in the Qualifiers, Iraq first, Korea only conceded two goals in the last two matches.
“We’re the only ones that didn’t qualify. We must be aware these teams are strong. We analysed them. Kyrgyz were first in the Qualifiers, Iraq first, Korea only conceded two goals in the last two matches.
“Sometimes, expectations do not match reality. We know what we have to do, every game is like a final to us and that will be the way we approach it.”
Korea Republic are taking a different approach, with the East Asian side looking at a wider perspective on what they should achieve.
Head coach Paulo Fernandes is not putting too much pressure on his inexperienced squad but is hopeful that their performance will inspire more interest in futsal back home.
Head coach Paulo Fernandes is not putting too much pressure on his inexperienced squad but is hopeful that their performance will inspire more interest in futsal back home.
“We are in a difficult group,” said Fernandes. “For us, not much experience in the team. Our goal is to at least try to get a win.
“In the Asian Cup for such a long time, Korea hasn’t won a game (last win was in the 2007 edition). The first game is always hard, especially for us because we face the home team.
“We take it one game at a time and do our best. Our challenge is to improve the Korean futsal environment.”
Related News
Item 1 of 5