BANGKOK (2 June 2012) – Thailand were denied the crown in the AFC Futsal Championship 2012 when they failed to stop a romping Japanese side from scoring a 6-1 victory in the final that was played last night at the Al Wasl Indoor Stadium. The victory was Japan’s second in 12 editions.
Kenichiro Kogure had given the 2006 winners the lead just four minutes in before Kritsada Wongkaeo drew Thailand level in the 11th minute. Wataru Kitahara then restored Japan’s advantage with five minutes of the half remaining as the East Asians went into the break 2-1 up.
An error from Thai keeper Surapong Tompa led to the indirect free-kick from which Kotaro Inababa extended Japan’s lead midway through the second period before Rafael Henmi, keeper Hisamitsu Kawahara and Tetsuya Murakami added further goals as Thailand’s power play backfired badly.
Thailand went into the game buoyed by their epic 5-4 extra-time victory over Iran that ended their chances of an 11th title in 12 tournaments while Japan advanced with a 3-0 win over Australia that had Japan coach Miguel Rodrigo expressing concerns over his side’s inability to convert scoring opportunities into goals.
