Tabriz: It will be a meeting of familiar foes as Japan and Iraq face off in the AFC U-20 Futsal Championship IR Iran 2019 quarter-finals on Tuesday.
In the inaugural edition hosted by Thailand in 2017, Hamzah Abbas Zameet’s goal proved to be the difference as Iraq emerged victors.
Iraq would go on to reach the final before losing to Islamic Republic of Iran to place second and the class of 2019 are aiming to go one better.
This Iraqi squad has players with the experience of having played in the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics where they finished fifth, and head coach Ali Talib Muhammad is confident of his team’s chances against Japan.
“There is a big difference between the two generations,” said Talib Muhammad.
“Our new generation has the experience of playing in the Youth Olympics in Argentina, as well as friendly tournaments in Croatia.”
Japan, as shown by their wins over Tajikistan and Vietnam in Group C, will be tough opponents but Talib Muhammad isn’t worried.
“We came here not to just qualify for the quarter-finals but to win the trophy,” said Talib Muhammad. “We will prepare very well for Japan. We know Japan well, and we hope to make a new story for Arab futsal.”
Japan head coach Ryuji Suzuki, is looking to exact revenge and rewrite history.
“We are so happy to pass the group stage, as it was really hard against Tajikistan and Vietnam, said Suzuki.
“We lost to Iraq in the last tournament, and it’s a good chance now to have a rematch of that game.”
The East Asians’ approach two years ago was more defensive, but they have shown in this edition that the Samurai Blues are more than capable in playing a more aggressive game.
“The squad is different of course, and so too how we play futsal compared to the team two years ago.”
Photos: AFC
Source: the-afc.com