Sport
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
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.
Sport
Afghanistan, Uzbekistan set for friendly cricket clash in Khost
The match will be played during a cricket league, and is part of the Cricket Development Support Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ACB and the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan in December last year.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) has announced that it will host Uzbekistan’s national cricket team for a one-off T20 international on July 10 at the Rahmat Wali Masroori Cricket Ground in Khost province.
According to the ACB, the match will be played during a cricket league, and is part of the Cricket Development Support Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the ACB and the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan in December last year.
The friendly match is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM, with an Afghan XI taking on the visiting Uzbek side. The game will be broadcast live across Afghanistan and internationally through various linear and digital platforms.
Quoted by the ACB, Chief Executive Officer Naseeb Khan said the board remains committed to supporting emerging cricket nations such as Uzbekistan and is ready to extend similar assistance to other countries seeking to develop the sport.
He noted that the ACB has already organized capacity-building programs and training workshops for members of the Cricket Federation of Uzbekistan, while several Uzbek fast bowlers also participated in the ACB’s specialized Fast Bowling Camp last year.
Khan added that Uzbekistan has consistently maintained a friendly policy toward Afghanistan and that the two countries have strengthened cooperation in healthcare, politics, and trade in recent years. He said closer collaboration in cricket development would further deepen relations between the two neighboring nations.
Sport
Serbian Dejan Dedovic appointed head coach of Afghanistan national futsal team
Dedovic will lead Afghanistan’s preparations for upcoming regional and international competitions, overseeing the team’s technical development and training programs.
The Afghanistan Football Federation (AFF) has appointed Serbian coach Dejan Dedovic as the new head coach of the national futsal team on a two-year contract.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony attended by AFF officials, futsal committee members, technical staff, and sports journalists.
Dedovic will lead Afghanistan’s preparations for upcoming regional and international competitions, overseeing the team’s technical development and training programs.
The federation also announced several additions to the national team’s coaching staff. Iran’s Javad Asghari Moqaddam has been appointed technical director, while Morteza Mansour Samaei will serve as goalkeeping coach. Spain’s Uriel Masana has joined as assistant coach, Iran’s Sadeq Amani as fitness coach, and Brazil’s Joao Lira as team analyst.
In addition, the AFF renewed the contract of Mohammad Nasir Sedaqat as manager of the national futsal team.
The federation said it expects the newly assembled coaching staff to contribute to the continued development of Afghan futsal and strengthen the team’s competitiveness at the regional and international levels.
Sport
India clinch ODI series against Afghanistan
The India national cricket team defeated Afghanistan in the third and final One Day International (ODI), sealing the series with a 9-wicket victory and lifting the series trophy.
Afghanistan won the toss in the final match and opted to bat first.
Batting first, Afghanistan were bowled out for 218 in 44.2 overs, setting India a target of 219 runs.
Hashmatullah Shahidi played a superb innings, scoring 102 runs off 131 deliveries, anchoring the Afghan batting effort.
In reply, India made light work of the chase, reaching 219 for the loss of just one wicket in 28.4 overs, completing a dominant run chase.
India had already taken an unassailable lead in the series by winning the first ODI by 7 wickets and the second by 170 runs, before sealing a comprehensive 3–0 series sweep in the final match.
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