FUTSAL – Indonesia booked their place in the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup quarter-finals after defeating Bahrain 5-1 in Group C at the Hohhot Sports Centre yesterday.
With the win, Indonesia will advance as one of the two best third-placed teams. While both sides needed three points to advance, it was Indonesia who got off to a bright start by opening their account in the second minute.
Novita Murni squared the ball nicely to set up Ikeu Rosita, who evaded her marker at the top of the arc before slotting home past a rooted Bahrain keeper Khulood Saleh.
Bahrain worked hard to break down Indonesia’s attacks and, in doing so, accumulated five fouls, leaving the Southeast Asians with a 10-metre penalty opportunity only for Nisma Francida Rusdiana to be denied by the left post.
The West Asians soaked up the pressure and almost capitalised on a chance in the seventh minute after Eman Alkhattal played the ball to Hessa Alisa, whose effort struck the left post.
Indonesia went close to doubling their lead a minute later but Nisma failed to latch onto Fitri Rosdiana’s through ball after coming under heavy challenge inside the box.
Bahrain pushed forward in search of the equaliser but were left exposed in the closing stages, with Dinar Kartika Sari releasing Nisma through on goal but the MS Putri Bersatu forward sent her low effort wide.
It took Indonesia only 15 seconds to double their lead at the start of the second half after Manar Yaqoob was dispossessed by Ikeu, who slotted the ball into an unattended goalmouth.
Bahrain continued to push bodies forward with the power play and almost reduced the deficit at the half-hour mark but Rawan Alali saw her close range effort cleared off the line by Diah Tri Lestari.
The sequence turned against the West Asian side moments later when Nisma dispossessed Al Anood Al Khalifa before setting up Fitri for an easy finish into the empty net.
Bahrain’s high-pressing approach left them conceding again in the 34th minute after Ikeu struck from her own half into an unguarded goalmouth before seeing a scrambling Yaqoob deflecting the ball into her own net.
Insyafadya Salsabillah netted Indonesia’s fifth goal from above the arc with three minutes left before Bahrain scored a late consolation through Amira Sowar in the closing stages.
Meanwhile, Thailand came from behind to stun Japan 3-1 in their Group C tie. The victory meant Thailand topped the group with seven points while two-time runners-up Japan finished second, with both advancing to the knockout stage.
Indonesia also booked a quarter-final spot from the group as one of the two-best third-placed sides.
Japan came under pressure right from the start with Thailand’s Jenjira Bubpha creating three chances for Arriya Saetoen who was, however, thwarted each time by the East Asian side’s defence.
Thailand’s grip gradually loosened as Japan started to grow into the game with Sara Oino seeing her efforts from distance saved by Suksen Sasiprapha before the Thailand keeper kept out Anna Amishiro and Yukari Miyahara.
Despite being limited to counter-attacks, Thailand had a sequence in the 11th minute which almost broke the deadlock but Lalida Chimpabut flashed her grounded effort across the goalmouth.
It was Japan keeper Nene Inoue’s turn to be tested with the custodian making a fine stop to deny Paerploy Huajaipetch, while at the other end, Oino was denied by the left post.
Suksen had to be on her toes as the match wore on as Japan showed slick buildup in transition, with Kaho Ito forcing the Thai custodian into two brilliant saves.
Ryo Egawa’s powerful shot was then deflected out for a corner by Suksen, who then kept the tie goalless when she saved Miyahara’s 10-metre penalty.
Japan were in the ascendancy in the second half and took the lead in the 26th minute after Yuka Iwasaki teed-up Amishiro, who curled in a powerful shot into the top left corner.
Thailand, however, responded immediately with Darika Peanpailun’s shot from the left deflecting off Amishiro and settling in the back of the net.
A timely interception from Paerploy Huajaipetch on Mika Eguchi led to Thailand taking the lead just after the half-hour mark, with Sangrawee Meekham then laying the ball for Paerploy to slot home with a composed finish.
Japan were stunned again in the 33rd minute when Paerploy pounced on a stray pass from Egawa and unleashed a superb finish with her left foot.
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