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Group C: Ukraine 4-1 Afghanistan

Group C: Ukraine 4-1 Afghanistan

Tashkent: Afghanistan’s FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 campaign was left in the balance after a 4-1 defeat to Ukraine in their final Group C tie on Saturday.
Ukraine put in a disciplined performance with goals from Yevhenii Zhuk and Danyil Abakshyn putting them in command going into the break, before overcoming resistance from Afghanistan in the second half after 18-year-old Mehran Gholami – the youngest player at the tournament – pulled one back for the debutant side. 

Mykhailo Zvarych and Ihor Korsun then struck in quick succession to seal their progress into the next round after finishing second in the group.
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With both sides needing victory to secure second spot, the action at the Andijan Universal Sports Complex came thick and fast with Ukraine’s Zhuk hitting the bar in the opening minutes.

The European side’s gameplay pressured Afghanistan into conceding a penalty with Zhuk converting effortlessly past Javad Safari in the 15th minute.
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Afghanistan fell further behind a minute later following Abakshyn’s strike leaving the Central Asian chasing a reply, but efforts from Hamid Hossaini, Reza Hossein Poor, Akhbar Kazemi all failed to trouble the Ukranians going into the break.

The Central Asian side pulled one back when an unmarked Gholami made his way into the area to score in the 26th minute off Hossein Poor’s cross from the right flank.
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However, Ukraine broke Afghanistan’s momentum in the 37th minute through Zvarych before Korsun cemented the European’s side's progress after the restart.

Afghanistan’s knockout stage hopes now depend on them finishing as one of the best four third-placed sides, with their fate to be known after Sunday’s conclusion of the group stage. 

Photos: FIFA via Getty Images

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