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AFC Futsal Asian Cup
The action promises to be frantic and the-AFC.com takes a look at how the groups stand, with Group D - to be hosted by Saudi Arabia - to take place in October.
The eight group winners and seven best-ranked runners-up will join hosts Indonesia at the Finals.
The eight group winners and seven best-ranked runners-up will join hosts Indonesia at the Finals.
Group A (Ardiya, Kuwait)
Mongolia v India
Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+3)
Kuwait v Australia
Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+3)
Mongolia v India
Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+3)
Kuwait v Australia
Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+3)
It will go down to the wire in Group A with hosts Kuwait and Australia both on six points after impressive performances in their earlier two matches.
Australia cruised 10-1 past India on Monday while Kuwait also enjoyed a serene outing against Mongolia, winning 6-2.
The onus, however, will be on Kuwait to clinch victory as Australia have a superior goal difference.
Australia cruised 10-1 past India on Monday while Kuwait also enjoyed a serene outing against Mongolia, winning 6-2.
The onus, however, will be on Kuwait to clinch victory as Australia have a superior goal difference.
Group B (Nonthaburi, Thailand)
Bahrain v Brunei Darussalam
Kick-off: 16:30 (UTC+7)
Thailand v Korea Republic
Kick-off: 19:30 (UTC+7)
Bahrain v Brunei Darussalam
Kick-off: 16:30 (UTC+7)
Thailand v Korea Republic
Kick-off: 19:30 (UTC+7)
Thailand and Korea Republic will square off for the Group B top spot, with both on six points.
Hosts Thailand defeated Bahrain 4-0 on Monday while Korea Republic hit three unanswered goals past Brunei Darussalam.
The advantage is with 2024 runners-up Thailand, who only need a draw thanks to their superior goal difference.
Hosts Thailand defeated Bahrain 4-0 on Monday while Korea Republic hit three unanswered goals past Brunei Darussalam.
The advantage is with 2024 runners-up Thailand, who only need a draw thanks to their superior goal difference.
Group C (Dushanbe, Tajikistan)
Macau v Cambodia
Kick-off: 17:00 (UTC+5)
Japan v Tajikistan
Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+5)
Macau v Cambodia
Kick-off: 17:00 (UTC+5)
Japan v Tajikistan
Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+5)
Tajikistan will do their best to stop Japan when the two sides meet to decide the Group C winners.
Four-time champions Japan have been impressive, hitting a total of 18 goals without reply against Cambodia and Macau.
Tajikistan, while not keeping a clean sheet in their first two matches, will be backed by their fans and this will motivate them to raise their game against Japan.
Four-time champions Japan have been impressive, hitting a total of 18 goals without reply against Cambodia and Macau.
Tajikistan, while not keeping a clean sheet in their first two matches, will be backed by their fans and this will motivate them to raise their game against Japan.
Group E (Hangzhou, China)
Vietnam v Lebanon
Kick-off: 15:30 (UTC+8)
China PR v Hong Kong, China
Kick-off: 19:30 (UTC+8)
Vietnam v Lebanon
Kick-off: 15:30 (UTC+8)
China PR v Hong Kong, China
Kick-off: 19:30 (UTC+8)
Vietnam only need to avoid defeat against Lebanon to book their spot at the Finals, with the Southeast Asian side on a perfect six points.
Lebanon’s hopes of automatic qualification suffered a setback after they were held 1-1 by Hong Kong, China on Monday.
A win, however, will take them through and the West Asian side will be determined to give the tie their all.
Lebanon’s hopes of automatic qualification suffered a setback after they were held 1-1 by Hong Kong, China on Monday.
A win, however, will take them through and the West Asian side will be determined to give the tie their all.
Group F (Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic)
Timor Leste v Palestine
Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+6)
Uzbekistan v Kyrgyz Republic
Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+6)
Timor Leste v Palestine
Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+6)
Uzbekistan v Kyrgyz Republic
Kick-off: 20:00 (UTC+6)
Two Central Asian rivals will square off for the Group F top spot after Uzbekistan and Kyrgyz Republic registered their second successive wins on Monday.
Uzbekistan will start as favourites, with the four-time runners-up in scintillating form in their earlier ties against Palestine and Timor-Leste.
Kyrgyz Republic had to come from behind to defeat Palestine 2-1 on Monday but with their fans behind them, they will strive to deny Uzbekistan the automatic slot from the group.
Uzbekistan will start as favourites, with the four-time runners-up in scintillating form in their earlier ties against Palestine and Timor-Leste.
Kyrgyz Republic had to come from behind to defeat Palestine 2-1 on Monday but with their fans behind them, they will strive to deny Uzbekistan the automatic slot from the group.
Group G (Kuantan, Malaysia)
UAE v Bangladesh
Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+8)
IR Iran v Malaysia
Kick-off: 20:30 (UTC+8)
UAE v Bangladesh
Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+8)
IR Iran v Malaysia
Kick-off: 20:30 (UTC+8)
Malaysia will have to produce the extraordinary if they are to stop Islamic Republic of Iran in their Group G decider.
The 13-time champions hit a total of 22 unanswered goals in their earlier matches against Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates and the Malaysian defence can expect to be thoroughly tested.
The hosts, however, are within touching distance of the Finals and will be motivated to perform.
The 13-time champions hit a total of 22 unanswered goals in their earlier matches against Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates and the Malaysian defence can expect to be thoroughly tested.
The hosts, however, are within touching distance of the Finals and will be motivated to perform.
Group H (Yangon, Myanmar)
Afghanistan v Myanmar
Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+6:30)
Afghanistan v Myanmar
Kick-off: 16:00 (UTC+6:30)
Myanmar will have to go for broke against Afghanistan, with the Central Asian side heading into the tie with a superior goal difference.
Both teams easily saw off the challenge of Maldives but will know that Wednesday’s encounter will be a bruiser, with Myanmar seeking a third appearance at the Finals and Afghanistan a second, having made their debut in 2024.
Both teams easily saw off the challenge of Maldives but will know that Wednesday’s encounter will be a bruiser, with Myanmar seeking a third appearance at the Finals and Afghanistan a second, having made their debut in 2024.
