Iraq’s Naft Al Wasat secured top spot in Group B after defeating Qatar’s Al Rayyan 4-2 in the AFC Futsal Club Championship Vietnam 2017 yesterday.
With the top spot in Group B at stake, the stage was set for an explosive final group match of the competition between two powerhouses who had already sealed their last eight spots.
The standings prior to the match were in favour of Naft Al Wasat, who were clearly more clinical and their superiority was apparent after the Iraqi side snatched two goals inside the first minute.
“Today’s result was not important; the most important thing was the performance. It was a good match for us to get good practice against one of the best teams in Asia to help prepare for Al Dhafrah. Naft are an excellent team, we could see today, it is almost as if they can score when they want to. But I am happy we were able to match them in parts,” said Al Rayyan coach Carlos Cesar Gago.
With just 25 seconds gone, Farhad Tavakoli made a lightning sprint past Amro Mohssein before cutting back for Waleed Khalid to slot home after his initial attempt rebounded off custodian Abdulrahman Mohsin.
Taking barely a moment to breath, Tavakoli was at his menacing best once again, this time driving a low right-footed effort from Ghodrat Bahadori’s kick-in.
Al Rayyan pulled one back in the second half when Mohssein did brilliantly to draw away the Naft defence before dispatching a cross-shot which fell neatly onto the path of Hazem Samy who was left with a simple finish.
Samy’s goal breathed new life into the match, instilling in Al Rayyan a renewed sense of belief as they surged forward determined to find the equaliser.
Taheri would prove the difference though as four minutes later, he reacted quickly to Bahadori’s mistake and waltzed past Hameed before letting fly a roaring effort, this time leaving Noor with no chance.
Just when it seemed the tie was headed for a stalemate, Bahadori fired a rapid double — first capitalising on a defensive error by Al Rayyan to squeeze his shot between two defenders and adding another moments later after dispossessing Samy to round off with a precise finish.
Naft Al Wasat’s victory sets up a classic quarter-final with home side Thai Son Nam while Al Dhafrah will now prepare to take on Al Rayyan in the last eight with both matches tomorrow.
Action from the match between Naft Al Wasat (in white and green) and Al Rayyan (in black).
