Could not win in the final match on Sunday but the first runners-up place in the regional tournament is the miracle for the Vietnamese futsal.
As the first time participating in the continental tournament’s final, the Vietnamese team under manager Miguel Rodrigo entered the match with great determination against a strong team, Mes Sungun, from Iran, the leading futsal powerhouse in Asia.
Thai Son Nam soon surprised their strong rivals as Pham Duc Hoa netted in the 5th minute to put his team in the lead. However, their joy did not last long as Mes Sungun equalised with Tayebibidgoli scoring with a cheeky back heel in the 10th minute following Saeid Taghidzadeh’s pass. Two minutes later, Fakhim put the Iranians in front from a corner kick.
However, Thai Son Nam pulled it back to level 2-2 in the 18th minute when Tran Van Vu’s effort from the top of the arc took a deflection and went into the goal.
Thai Son Nam faced many difficulties against strong opponents from Iran, the continent’s leading futsal powerhouse. (Photo: AFC)
The Vietnamese team actively started the second half with several opportunities, but the lack of focus in defending made them pay. In the 23rd minute, captain Fakhim once again sent his team ahead with a powerful shot from the top of the arc.
Thai Son Nam had to activate a power play with Nguyen Thanh Tin coming in for a five-pronged attack but they couldn’t break down Mes Sungun’s defence.
Thai Son Nam’s foreign player Abdulrahman was forced to use a hand to stop the finish from the Iranian team and was sent-off, allowing Mes Sungun to win a 6m penalty. Hassanzadeh then made it 4-2 for his team when scoring the penalty in the 39th minute.
The result means that Thai Son Nam lost the historic championship for Vietnam futsal. On the other side, Mes Sungun clinched their first AFC Futsal Club Championship title at their first attempt.
Although regretful in defeat, getting to the finals and finishing second in the tournament was a feat for Thai Son Nam. They defeated the best futsal clubs in Asia, including Al-Dhafra (UAE), Naft Al-Wasat (Iraq), Jeonju MAG (Korea Republic), three time champions Nagoya Oceans (Japan) and Bank of Beirut (Lebanon).
Earlier in the third-place match, Bank of Beirut beat Naft Al-Wasat 5-3 to win the tournament's third prize in Indonesia.
