Ho Chi Minh City: Nafit Al-Wasat secured their place in the last eight of the AFC Futsal Club Championship Vietnam 2017 after defeating Vamos FC 6-3 on Sunday. The result also sees Al Rayyan sealing their last eight spot after the Qatar side won their earlier match against Disi Invest.
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Defeat with thirty seconds remaining would faze even the most spirited sides but the Indonesians looked eager to put their opening day heartbreak behind them, creating the game’s first chance when Ardy Dwi Suwardy rose above Firas Mohammed from Ali Abedin’s corner but the young forward failed to keep his header down.
The Iraqis responded almost instantaneously, snatching their first goal after Ghodrat Bahadori’s cross-shot rebounded off Suwardy onto the path of Farhad Tavakoli, who smashed a powerful effort beyond Muhamad Nazil Purnama.
The goal seemed to quicken the pace of the game and moments later, Vamos FC came agonisingly close to an equaliser after Suwardy slid the ball through the legs of Ahmed Duraid but Tavakoli saved the Iraqis with a last ditch sliding clearance on the goal-line.
Seven minutes from half-time, the 2016 finalists sent Vamos FC a timely reminder of their pedigree with a lightning quick team move, a slick interchange between Fahad Methaq and Ghodrat Bahadori freeing initial ball winner Salim Faisal for an easy tap-in.
Just before the interval, Nafit added their third when Tavakoli’s corner found Firas Mohammed, whose low-drive effort was parried by Purnama onto the path of Faisal for his second.
Nafit then made it four, Bahadori - with a mesmerising spinning back heel - released Waleed Khalid who guided the ball through the legs of Purnama.
Vamos FC finally got their reward two minutes after, with Abedin’s defence-splitting pass finding Suwardy for an easy tap-in from close range.
Nafit then restored order through Hasan Ali, who showed great individual brilliance to dribble past two defenders before beating Purnama on the near post in the 26th minute. Two minutes later, the Iraqis made it six after Rafid Hameed smashed a thunderbolt just after the half-way line.
Duraid showed great reflexes to deny Suwardy, Said Bouzambou and Tricahyo Ramadhan and while Nafit rocked the woodwork, Vamos FC were somewhat unfortunate not to have narrowed the gap.
In a desperate attempt to conjure something from the game, the Indonesians then dispensed their keeper for the power play, and the move proved successful not once, but twice, first as Andri Kustiawan sprung in midair to convert from Abedin’s cross. Kustiawan then added another in the final minute to conclude a valiant effort by the Indonesians who showed glimpses that they could hold their own against one of the best teams in the continent.
Nafit will now take on Al Rayyan for Group B supremacy on Tuesday, while Vamos FC and Disi Invest will play for pride in their final match on the same day.
Haitham Abbas Bawei (Nafit Al-Wasat Head Coach)
"I believe we were very strong today. Vamos were much better today than in their last match against Al Rayyan. We are here to play for Iraq, for our people and I am very proud of my players. It was a team effort, everyone played their part and now we look forward to the next match on Tuesday."
Reza Fallahzadeh (Vamos FC Head Coach)
"I am disappointed with our finishing tonight. From defence to creating chances in attack, we did an excellent job, but at the final moment, our finishing let us down. If we had converted our chances, I believe the scoreline would have been very different. But it is not over. We have one more match to play. Our players have worked too hard and it is our aim right now to leave this competition with at least one win. I believe you will see a very different team next year."
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com