FUTSAL – Goalkeeper Arut Senbat was the hero, saving three penalties as Thailand edged Tajikistan 6-5 in a penalty shootout after their AFC Futsal Asian Cup Thailand 2024 semi-final ended 3-3 after extra-time.
Narongsak Wingwon scored the winning penalty as Thailand advanced to the final for the third time. They will face Iran in tomorrow’s decider. Later in the evening, Iran defeated Uzbekistan 5-4 on penalties after their semi-final ended 3-3 after extra-time.
It was heartbreak for Tajikistan, who had led twice in their inaugural appearance in the semi-finals but couldn’t repel Thailand’s incessant attacks.
Missing the suspended Apiwat Chaemcharoen and Muhammad Osamanmusa, Thailand almost conceded within the opening two minutes when Tajikistan’s Fayzali Sardorov slammed his shot against the right post.
Two minutes later, Tajikistan came close again when Firuz Bekmurodov did well to hold up play on the right flank before setting up Sardorov, whose shot from distance brought the best out of Senbat.
The home side wasted an opportunity in the fifth minute when Alongkorn Janphon crossed the ball to an unmarked Suphawut Thueanklang but the 2013 AFC Futsal Player of the Year botched his effort.
Thailand’s influence in the game grew, and their patience was rewarded in the 13th minute when Worasak Srirangpirot converted with a textbook finish, nodding the ball home from inside the box off Narongsak Wingwon’s set-piece.
With just seconds left in the half, Tajikistan clawed their way back with Dilshod Salomov drilling a grounded effort through the legs of Itticha Praphaphan and into the bottom right corner of the net.
It was not meant to be Itticha’s day as Tajikistan took the lead four minutes into the second half when Sardorov nutmegged the Thailand No 4 on the left flank to set up Bahodur Khojaev for a close range finish.
The game went into overdrive just before the half-hour mark with Thailand denied a goal after Jirawat Sornwichian was foiled inside the box by Tajikistan keeper Firuz Bekmurodov with Sardorov then setting up Khojaev to convert his second for the evening from outside the box.
Thailand pulled one back in the 30th minute from a crisp power play move which saw Alongkorn strike the bar before squeezing the rebound past Bekmurodov.
The hosts continued pushing and equalised in stunning fashion when Jirawat burst down the right flank sending the ball deep to Suphawut to lay off for Therdsak Charoenphong to strike from close range with two minutes left to force the game into extra-time.
After a goalless first period, Suphawut had a great chance to net the winner in the closing stages but to convert Jirawat’s pass as the match went to penalties with Arut rising to the occasion.