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Norouzi says no reason why Afghanistan can’t win Futsal World Cup

The Lions of Khorasan will have one factor in their favor. Afghanistan shares a border with Uzbekistan and are expected to enjoy vociferous support at the tournament

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With just under three weeks to go before FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™ kicks off, Afghanistan’s team is gearing up to take on Angola in their first match of the tournament on September 15.

Speaking to FIFA this week, Afghanistan player Mahdi Norouzi said: “Playing in the Futsal World Cup is very important to the people of Afghanistan. They have longed to see their team in the World Cup for many years and fortunately we were able to advance to the World Cup with the help of the head coach, the players and prayers of our people.”

This comes after Afghanistan went into the AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers for the first time in April – and as rank outsiders.

Majid Mortezaei’s side nevertheless recorded 5-3 victories over Iraq and Kyrgyz Republic to conquer the four-team play-offs for a place at the World Cup.

“We were so happy that we were able to make the people of Afghanistan proud and give them a smile,” Norouzi said.

“The people of Afghanistan deserved this happiness.”

He went on to say that Afghanistan’s head coach has been watching not only Helber Garcia, Angola’s star, but all their players.

“Without doubt we’ll have a special plan to play against Angola and beat them,” he said.

Argentina, who finished first and second respectively at the last two FIFA Futsal World Cups, will provide hurdle number two, but Afghanistan are undaunted by their opponents’ credentials.

“It’s true that Argentina have a very good team and are one of the contenders to win this World Cup,” Norouzi remarked.

“But no team has as much motivation as we do. We have no fear of Argentina and we will enter battle to win.”

He said the team’s first goal was to advance from the group stage and that ultimately they would like to win the title.

“Every team that qualified for this Futsal World Cup is good and it’s difficult to predict who will lift the trophy, but I really like Afghanistan’s chances.

“Every team has big stars. I think many players from Brazil, Portugal, Spain and even Afghanistan are among the world’s best players,” he said.

The Lions of Khorasan will have one factor in their favor. Afghanistan shares a border with Uzbekistan and are expected to enjoy vociferous support at the tournament.

“We are neighbors,” explained Norouzi. “Many of our compatriots live in Uzbekistan. We expect to have many fans cheering us on.”

For fans unable to travel to the sporting extravaganza, Ariana Television will however broadcast matches live across the country.

Afghanistan’s first match, on day 2 of the tournament, will take place on Sunday, September 15 at 17:00.

This will be broadcast live on Ariana Television.

This is the first FIFA tournament to be held in Central Asia, and as such is expected to draw crowds of supporters.

Three Host Cities, the capital, Tashkent, Andijan in the Fergana Valley and in ancient Silk Road trading center of Bukhara, will stage games as Uzbekistan becomes the fourth AFC member to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup after Hong Kong (1992), Chinese Taipei (2004) and Thailand (2012).

The 24-team line-up for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 is as follows: Afghanistan, Angola, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, France, Guatemala, IR Iran, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, Tajikistan, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.

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Commanding wins for Arman FC and Sarsabz Yashlar in Afghanistan Champions League

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In the 31st match of the fifth season of the Afghanistan Champions League, Arman FC delivered a dominant performance, defeating Istiqlal Kabul with a convincing 3–0 victory.

In Wednesday’s 32nd fixture, Sarsabz Yashlar also impressed, overcoming Ettifaq Khanzadah with a solid 4–1 win and securing another valuable three points.

The competition continues tomorrow (Thursday) with two more clashes:

  • In the 33rd match, Sorkh Poshan Khafi will face Javanan Piroozi at 10:00 a.m.

  • In the 34th encounter, Sarafan Herat will take on Abu Muslim Farah at 1:30 p.m.

All matches are broadcast live on Ariana Television, allowing football fans across the country to follow every moment of the excitement and intensity of this season’s Afghanistan Champions League.

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ACL: Aino Mina 1–0 Jawanan Perozi; Abu Muslim Farah 2–1 Khurasan Faryab

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In the twenty-ninth match of the fifth season of the Afghanistan Champions League, Aino Mina edged past Jawanan Perozi 1–0.

In Tuesday’s thirtieth fixture, Abu Muslim Farah claimed a 2–1 victory over Khurasan Faryab.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s thirty-first match, Arman FC will take on Istiqlal Kabul at 10:00 a.m. Meanwhile, in the thirty-second encounter, Sarsabz Yashlar will face Ettifaq Khanzadah at 1:30 p.m.

All matches are being broadcast live on Ariana Television, giving fans across the country the chance to follow all the excitement and drama of the Afghanistan Champions League throughout the season.

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ILT20: Desert Vipers edge Gulf Giants in historic super over thriller

Gurbaz and James Vince (25 off 22) added another 54, but the scoring slowed dramatically. Only 38 runs came off the final five overs, with the Giants finishing on 179/5.

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The Desert Vipers clinched a dramatic victory over the Gulf Giants in the DP World ILT20’s first-ever Super Over, extending their dominance with a sixth straight win over the Giants.

Chasing 180, the Vipers were rescued by a superb partnership between Dan Lawrence (56 off 31) and Sam Curran (44 off 36), who dragged the innings back from early trouble and levelled the scores off the final ball to force a Super Over.

Despite Azmatullah Omarzai’s impressive 4 for 32 and early blows that left the Vipers reeling at 14/2, the lower order held firm. Khuzaima Tanveer struck a crucial six in the final over before Vriitya Aravind guided the game into the tie-breaker.

Giants set the tone early

Batting first, the Gulf Giants made a strong start as Pathum Nissanka (56 off 29) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (41 off 31) blasted 58 in the powerplay. Their 73-run opening stand put the Giants in control before Noor Ahmad struck back, removing Nissanka immediately after his fourth six.

Gurbaz and James Vince (25 off 22) added another 54, but the scoring slowed dramatically. Only 38 runs came off the final five overs, with the Giants finishing on 179/5.

Vipers fight back

Omarzai and Mark Adair dismantled the top order, but Curran and Lawrence rebuilt with a 60-run stand. Lawrence brought up a brisk half-century, while late cameos from Shimron Hetmyer (16 off 8) and Hasan Nawaz (11 off 4) kept the chase alive. Omarzai again swung momentum back in the 18th over, dismissing both Hetmyer and Lawrence.

With 13 needed off the last over, Tanveer’s six and Aravind’s nerveless batting carried the match into the Super Over.

Vipers dominate the tie-breaker

Lawrence smashed 10 runs as the Vipers posted 13/1 in the Super Over. Naseem Shah then bowled a tight over, restricting the Giants to just nine and sealing the Vipers’ third consecutive win of the season.

Reactions

Sam Curran, the Vipers’ stand-in captain, praised his side’s resilience:

“Three wins from three — I’m not complaining. Tanveer has worked incredibly hard. To hit a six under pressure and then bowl well shows how far he has come.”

Giants’ stand-in skipper Moeen Ali lamented missed opportunities:

“We made mistakes at the wrong time and let them back in. In this format, the game is never over — this was one we could easily have won.”

Brief Scores

Desert Vipers beat Gulf Giants (Super Over)

Gulf Giants 179/5 (20 ov): Nissanka 56, Gurbaz 41; Tanveer 2/23, Noor 2/47

Desert Vipers 179/9 (20 ov): Lawrence 56, Curran 44; Omarzai 4/32, Thushara 2/33

Super Over

Vipers 13/1: Lawrence 10, Hetmyer 3*; Thushara 1/13

Giants 9/0: Moeen 5*, Moores 1*; Naseem 0/9

Player of the Match: Dan Lawrence

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