BANGKOK – Japan confirmed their billing as one of the favourites for the AFC Futsal Championship title with a 4-0 semi-final victory over Kyrgyzstan at Nimibutr Stadium

Source the-afc.com

BANGKOK – Japan confirmed their billing as one of the favourites for the AFC Futsal Championship title with a 4-0 semi-final victory over Kyrgyzstan at Nimibutr Stadium.

The 2006 champions – Japan are the only team other than Iran to lift the trophy since its inception in 1999 – clinched a place at the FIFA Futsal World Cup later this year, but will now be determined to lift a second title.

In a tight first-half tussle, Kyrgyzstan struggled to test Japan goalkeeper Yosuke Komiyama.

Japan were also forced to bide their time in a bid to find a route through the resilient Kyrgyzstan defence but one arrived after a time out from coach Sergio Sapo three minutes before the interval.

Daisuke Ono swivelled on the edge of the area after a pre-planned set-piece and his shot beat Nikolay Shamonin at the near post.

Japan doubled their lead 35 seconds before half-time.

Captain Kenta Fujii put in a probing cross from the right which the hapless Marat Duvanaev could only divert into his own net.

Kyrgyzstan continued to be repelled by Japan's press in a cagey opening to the second half.

Daniar Abdyraimov was then deployed as an extra man as Kyrgyzstan switched to power-play with 12 minutes remaining.

Mihail Sundeev struck the post but Kyrgyzstan could not find a way through.

And, after absorbing the pressure, it was Japan who struck next when Kenichiro Kogure threaded the ball beyond Shamonin.

Kyrgyzstan continued to press forward but Yuki Kanayama fired into an empty net from midway inside his own half for Japan's fourth to secure the victory.