Here is the recap from losers final and final of the 2017 AFC Futsal Club Championship at Ho Chi Minh City.
Third place match: Thai Son Nam FC (VIE) 6-1 Al Rayyan (QAT)
Thai Son Nam clinched third place in the AFC Futsal Club Championship Vietnam 2017 after cruising to an emphatic 6-1 victory over Qatar’s Al Rayyan on Sunday.
It may not have been the final, but the deafening atmosphere at the Phu Thọ Indoor Stadium scaled to new heights of euphoria, fueled by Vietnamese fans expectations for the home side.
Despite Thai Son Nam’s dominating the early proceedings, it was Al Rayyan who got in front with Hazem Samy’s goal (6’) thanks to provider Mohammad Taheri. The rest of the first half showed a high-pressing game, carving out lots of attempts from both sides. Finally, Thai Son Nam’s fans were rewarded for their support as the home side performed an excellent display of strength and ingenuity by Thai Huy to nutmeg a through pass to Van Vu, who made no mistake to equalize 1-1 for the Vietnamese.
Inspired by their late first half goal, Thai Son Nam got off to a roaring start after the break, continuing to exert authority. The home side then restored order with two consecutive goals scored by Phung Trong Luan (31’) and Tayebibidgoli (33’). It was only a matter of minutes before the match witnessed the power play as Al Rayyan attempted to reduce the deficit, but the decision proved costly as Thai Huy added Thai Son Nam’s fourth in the 37th minute. A minute later, Baptista scored the fifth before Tayebibidgoli sealed his second goal in the closing seconds to cap-off the bronze medal for the home side.
Final: Bluewave Chonburi (THA) 3-2 Sanaye Giti Pasand (IRN)
A magical hat-trick by Suphawut Thueanklang steered Bluewave Chonburi to the coveted AFC Futsal Club Championship Vietnam 2017 title after narrowly defeating Giti Pasand 3-2 in an enthralling final on Sunday.
With so much on the line, it was the Thais who threw down the gauntlet, carving out the first chance of the match. In a scintillating contest between two equally matched teams, Giti Pasand then came close to snatching the opener, not once but twice. Suphawut, who spent most of the competition in the shadows of teammate Jirawat, sent a timely reminder of his ability to shine on the big stage when giving Chonburi the lead in the 13th minute. Seconds later, it was Suphawut once again extending the lead for Chonburi through an unobstructured free-kick.
Giti Pasand then staked their claim to a comeback, roaring to grab their opener with Ahamd’s goal in the first eight seconds of the second-half before Ali Asghar Navlighe scored the second goal for the Iranian side (22’). But Giti Pasand’s celebration lasted mere seconds when Chonburi immediately responded with Suphawut unleashing a right-footed cracker to complete his hat-trick.
With three minutes on the clock, the Iranians resorted to the power play, setting the stage for a nail-biting finale. However, the match saw a series of near misses as the Championship finally ended up crowning the new two-time champions: Bluewave Chonburi (2013, 2017).
ROLL OF HONOUR:
Champions: Chonburi Bluewave (THA)
Runners-up: Sanaye Giti Pasand (IRN)
2nd Runners-up: Thai Son Nam (VIE)
Fair Play Award: Thai Son Nam FC (VIE)
MVP of the tournament: ALI ASGHAR HASSAN ZADEH NAVLIGHE - Sanaye Giti Pasand (IRN)
Top Scorer: JIRAWAT SORNWICHIAN - Bluewave Chonburi (THA)
