Defending champions Iran overcame a determined Afghanistan side to secure top spot in Group D of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026, claiming a 5–2 victory on Sunday.

The result saw Iran finish the group stage with a perfect nine points, setting up a quarter-final clash with Uzbekistan, while Afghanistan, who impressed throughout the group phase, will face Japan in the last eight.

With both teams aware of each other’s strengths, the match began cautiously, as neither Iran goalkeeper Bagher Mohammadi nor Afghanistan’s Javad Safari was tested in the opening minutes. The first real effort on target came in the eighth minute when Mohammadhossein Derakshani struck from distance, forcing Safari into a sharp save.

Iran continued to probe, with Mohammadi reacting well to catch a powerful shot from Sayed Mortaza Hussaini in the 11th minute. Moments later, Behrooz Azimi attempted an acrobatic bicycle kick at the other end, narrowly missing the target.

The breakthrough arrived in the 13th minute when Safari parried Amirhossein Gholami’s shot into the path of Azimi, who finished from close range to give Iran the lead. The defending champions nearly doubled their advantage three minutes later, but Hossein Tayebi’s audacious back-heeled effort struck the crossbar.

Afghanistan were fortunate not to concede early in the second half after a misplaced pass from Safari fell straight to Mahdi Karimi, who sent his shot wide with the goal at his mercy. At the other end, Mohammadi produced a string of outstanding saves, denying Reza Hosseinpoor from a free kick and pushing away another threatening effort from Hussaini.

As Afghanistan pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Iran exploited the spaces left behind. In the 29th minute, Gholami picked out Tayebi on the counter-attack, with the striker calmly slotting the ball home.

Iran extended their lead a minute later after Safari fouled Tayebi inside the semi-circle, with a penalty awarded following Video Support review. Tayebi made no mistake from the spot.

Afghanistan refused to back down and pulled a goal back in the 32nd minute through Hosseinpoor. A minute later, a long-range effort from Safari — deflected off Gholami — reduced the deficit further and set up a tense closing period.

However, Iran’s experience proved decisive. As Afghanistan committed numbers forward, they were caught out on the counter once more, with Masoud Yousef scoring in the 36th minute before Karimi sealed the result late on to confirm a 5–2 victory.

Despite the defeat, Afghanistan’s spirited display underlined their emergence as a competitive force in Asian futsal, having already secured qualification for the knockout stage with commanding wins earlier in the tournament.

Upcoming Matches – Tuesday, 3 February

Quarter-final action gets underway on Monday, with Iran facing Uzbekistan and Afghanistan taking on Japan as the race for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup title intensifies.

All matches of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Indonesia 2026 are being broadcast live on Ariana Television across Afghanistan.

At least 15 Pakistani soldiers and 18 civilians were killed in a series of coordinated attacks in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province on Saturday, according to the Pakistani military.

The military said the attacks were carried out by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), prompting security forces to launch a large-scale counter-operation across the region. Officials said the operation resulted in the deaths of 92 militants.

The separatist group, which operates under the name Baloch Liberation Army, later claimed responsibility for the assaults.

Pakistani authorities accused India of supporting the group and alleged that New Delhi is backing militant activity in Balochistan. India has not responded to the accusations.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the attackers as highly organized and claimed foreign involvement. “These were not ordinary terrorists. India is behind these attacks, and we will expose them globally,” he said.

Former U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan peace Zalmay Khalilzad said Pakistan’s long-standing approach to security in Balochistan has been ineffective, arguing that the situation requires a fundamental change in strategy.

Responding to Pakistan’s allegations, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi “categorically rejects” what he described as baseless claims, accusing Pakistan of attempting to deflect attention from its own internal challenges.

He said Pakistan should focus on addressing long-standing grievances in the region rather than repeating what he called unfounded accusations after every violent incident. Jaiswal added that Pakistan’s record on suppression, brutality, and human rights violations is well documented.

Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, met on Sunday in Herat with Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov, to discuss major regional connectivity and energy projects.

The meeting was attended also by Afghanistan’s Minister of Mines and Petroleum Hedayatullah Badri, Minister of Energy and Water Mohammad Younus Akhundzada, as well as Turkmenistan’s ministers of transport and railways, state officials, and the head of the Turkmengaz state company, along with senior officials from both sides.

During the talks, the two delegations reviewed progress on the TAPI gas pipeline, TAP power transmission project, railway development, and electricity cooperation. Baradar said the launch of the TAPI project has strengthened ties between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and other regional countries, adding that Saudi Arabia’s Delta International Company has expressed interest in investing in multiple aspects of the project.

According to Baradar, Delta International is willing to invest in gas purchases from the TAPI project, expanding Turkmenistan’s major gas fields, constructing and extending the gas pipeline from Ghorian district of Herat to Spin Boldak in Kandahar and onward to the Indian border, as well as building a large modern gas hub at Pakistan’s Gwadar port.

Baradar also urged Turkmenistan to clarify its position on the Torghundi–Herat railway project, noting that Kazakhstan has shown strong interest in its implementation. He reaffirmed Afghanistan’s readiness to finalize the TAP project route map and pledged full cooperation on electricity transmission to Bala Murghab, Khomab and Qarqin districts, along with other regional connectivity initiatives.

He further emphasized the importance of creating job opportunities for Afghans through ongoing and future projects.

Speaking at the meeting, Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov thanked the Islamic Emirate for facilitating the implementation of the TAPI project and said construction is expected to reach Herat city by the end of the current year. He welcomed the interest of foreign companies in investing in the project and stressed the need for close coordination.

Meredov also expressed Turkmenistan’s readiness to invest in the Torghundi–Herat railway project, noting that practical work has already begun in Torghundi. He added that Turkmenistan is prepared to increase electricity exports to Afghanistan through five transmission routes.

In addition, the two sides discussed expanding trade, enhancing banking cooperation, creating employment opportunities, and jointly managing economic projects across various sectors.

The meeting concluded with technical teams from both countries presenting detailed updates on the progress of ongoing projects.