Vietnam had shocked Asian Champions Japan to win futsal world cup for the first time after a miraculous victory. 

winning over reigning champions Japan in the quarterfinals of the AFC Futsal Championship

The Vietnamese, standing at the 44 th place in the world’s futsal rankings, were not frightened by the rivals that are 35 notches higher than them, as they challenged each other in the encounter in Uzbekistan.  Vietnam was thought to be impossible to win over Japan who had been asian champions for three times ( 2006, 2012 and 2014).

The teams drew 4-4 after 50 minutes, including extra time, and thus went on for a showdown in the six-meter penalty shootout, an equivalent of the 11-meter penalty in association football (soccer).

Vietnam entered game with same tactics in game facing Thailand, they are carefully and waiting for chance to counter back surprisingly. However Japanese players easily to score two goals in 7th minute and 14th minute by  Kazuhiro and Kaoru. Vietnam players seemed to be stronger after that, in 15th minute, Van Vu had an excellent fine goal and shorten the gap for Vietnam.

The game had more goal when Japan scored 3-1 goal into Vietnam’s nest. Danh Phat had raised vietnam players up with his scoring 2-3 for Vietnam.  Vietnam team had equalized game to 3-3 in the last minute of game. Both have to play extra time.

Japan one more time lead game with 4-3 score by Kaoru. Vietnam has surprised when trying their best to equalize 4-4. Result must been decided by penalty shootout.  In this miraculous time,  Kaoru and Kazuhiro failed against Vietnam’ s goalkeeper then Vietnam won 2-1 in penalty shootout, securing the historic ticket to the 2016 Futsal World Cup, to be held in Colombia from September 10 to October 1.

Hạnh phúc chiến thắng

According to FIFA, the top five teams of the ongoing AFC Futsal Championship will qualify for the Colombia tournament as the representatives of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

This means Vietnam, together with Iran, Thailand and Uzbekistan – teams that made it to the semifinals – have secured a place in the World Cup, regardless of the final results of the Uzbekistan tourney.

Those that lose in the quarterfinals will take on each other in play-offs to win the last ticket to Colombia.

Anh Tú