An impressive offensive performance helped Vietnamese futsal club Thai Son Nam beat their Chinese opponents Shenzhen Nanling Tielang to advance to the semifinals of the 2019 AFC Futsal Club Championship in Thailand on Wednesday.  

Pham Minh Giang fielded his best men to face the unpredictable Chinese side, with Japanese Kazuya Shimizu playing forward, Thai Huy and Duc Hoa on both flanks, and Iranian Alireza Rafieipor right in front of goalie Ho Van Y.     

Thai Son Nam and Shenzhen Nanling Tielang were both off to an exciting start in their quarterfinal, but Minh Tri was the first to give a warning to the Chinese following a shot in the 7th minute.  

Shimizu shot wide two minutes later after a determined effort.

The Vietnamese players went on to mount further pressure on Shenzhen Nanling Tielang, including attempts from Minh Tri and Chau Doan Phat, but Chinese goalkeeper Zhu Bei denied them all, closing a goalless first half.

Thai Son Nam kept attacking after the break, opening the scoring in the 22nd minute. Rafieipor’s pass from behind found Shimizu, who neatly netted.

Pham Minh Giang’s men then slowed down a bit but they were still in control. One of their attempts, a Rafieipor finish, even hit the post.

The Vietnamese club doubled the lead in the 30th minute after a strategic corner kick from Rafieipor was clinically netted by Thai Huy.

Shimizu scored the third goal on 35 minutes, as Zhu had left the goal.

Nguyen Minh Tri and Ton That Phi widened the gap to five before Ding Shunjie shot home the consolation goal for the Chinese side.

Thai Son Nam will take on Japan’s Nagoya Oceans in the semi on Thursday.

Defending champions Mes Sungun, from Iran, will play Uzbekistan’s AGMK in the other semifinal the same day.

This year’s 10th edition of the annual AFC Futsal Club Championship takes place between August 7 and 17.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!