Uzbekistan ready to struggle with Korea Republic, Tajikistan and Japan

With the AFC Futsal Championship 2018 kicking off in Chinese Taipei on February 1, the-AFC.com previews the four teams in Group B which includes three-time champions Japan.

Uzbekistan

Appearances: 15

Best finish: Runners-up in 2001, 2006, 2010, 2016

How the qualified: Group A winners (South & Central Zone)

FIFA Ranking: 26

Confidence boosted by their U23 counterparts who won the AFC U23 Championship 2018 title on Saturday, Bahodir Ahmedov’s men will be eager to land their maiden AFC Futsal Championship title in Chinese Taipei after finishing second best on four occasions - 2001, 2006, 2010 and 2010.

The White Wolves qualified for the Finals after topping Group A in the South and Central Zone Qualifiers ahead of Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Nepal.

Uzbekistan finished second last year at the Asian Indoors in Ashgabat, losing 7-1 to Islamic Republic of Iran in the final.

Leading the charge for Uzbekistan in Chinese Taipei will be Davron Choriev, Dilmurod Shavkatov, Dilshod Rakhmatov, Konstantin Sviridov and Farkhod Abdumavlyanov.

Japan

Appearances: 15

Best finish: Champions in 2006, 2012, 2014

How the qualified: Group A winners (East Zone)

FIFA Ranking: 15

Three-time winners Japan will be looking to break the Islamic Republic of Iran’s dominance when they begin their campaign in Chinese Taipei on February 1 against Tajikistan.

The Samurai Five were impressive during the East Zone qualifying, coming out tops in Group A with wins over Mongolia (5-1), Macau (11-0) and Chinese Taipei (8-1) for a perfect record.

Last year, Japan finished seventh in the competition losing 2-1 on penalties to Vietnam in the last eight, following a 4-4 score after extra time.

Japan lost 4-2 in a recent friendly against Argentina in Tokyo. Bruno Garcia’s men were 3-0 down at halftime but managed to score two in the second half before Argentina added their fourth.

Tajikistan

Best finish: Quarter-finals in 2007

How the qualified: Group B runners-up (South & Central Zones) 

FIFA Ranking: 72

Tajikistan qualified for the Finals after finishing second behind Islamic Republic of Iran in Group B of the South and Central Zone Qualifiers.

The Persian Lions’ best finish in the competition was in 2007, where they made the quarter-finals and head coach Hussein Shodiev’s charges have been busy with preparation for their campaign in Chinese Taipei.

Tajikistan lost 4-2 in a friendly against FC Kairat in Almaty on Saturday. Kairat led 2-0 at halftime before adding two more after the break as Rahmonali Sharipov and Muhammadjon Sharipov scored for the visitors.

Korea Republic

Best finish: Runners-up in 1999

How the qualified: Group B winners (East Zone) 

FIFA Ranking: 71

Naser Saleh’s side qualified for the Finals after finishing as champions of Group B in the East Zone ahead of China and Hong Kong.

The Taegeuk Warriors best result in the competition was finishing runners-up in 1999 behind winners Islamic Republic of Iran.

Lee Min-Yong, Choi Kyung-Jin, Kim Min-Kuk and Seo Dae-Yun will lead the charge in Chinese Taipei as Korea Republic look to improve their futsal pedigree at the Asian level.

Source: The-AFC.com