VANCOUVER, CANADA – The Afghanistan National Futsal Team defeated the Australian National Team 5-4 in their second match in a tournament held by the National Sports Development Funds (NSDF).
The game began at 2:00 PM today, March 25 in Thailand local time. Afghanistan dominated the first half, netting an impressive four goals while conceding only one to their Australian counterparts.
As the game progressed into the second half, the Australian players mounted a spirited comeback, notching up three goals to level the playing field. However, with the clock ticking down, Mahdi Norouzi seized the moment, securing Afghanistan’s fifth and decisive goal in the final seconds, clinching a triumphant victory.
In their previous match, Afghanistan battled to a thrilling 3-3 draw against Malaysia yesterday, March 24. Despite taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half, Afghanistan faced a fierce resurgence from Malaysia in the second half, conceding three goals while managing to find the net once.
Reza Hosseinpoor was instrumental in Afghanistan’s performance, scoring a crucial goal in the tenth minute, while Mehran Gholami showcased his prowess with goals in the 19th and 39th minutes, contributing significantly to their team’s success.
It is not often that celebration worthy news comes out of Afghanistan, making moments such as the team’s winning in Thailand both a brief opportunity for happiness and a reminder of an era long bygone.
In the past two decades preceding the Taliban’s resurgence to power, Afghanistan emerged as a sports powerhouse in the region, amassing titles in multiple fields. Its football team was the best in South-Central Asia while its cricket team challenged the historical torch bearers of the game such as Britain, India, and Pakistan.
Even in individual sports, athletes from Afghanistan brought home Olympic medals and claimed international championships in Taekwondo, Moi Thai, and many more.
In the 2008 Summer Olympics, Rohullah Nikpa, who now trains the New Zealand’s national Taekwondo team, became the country’s first Olympic medalist, bringing home a bronze, only to double it in 2012.
The Four-Nations International Competition, featuring futsal powerhouses from Thailand, Australia, Afghanistan, and Malaysia, is currently underway in Thailand. These tournaments serve as vital preparation for the upcoming Asian Futsal Cup for Nations slated for later this year.
In addition to their participation in the Four-Nation International Competition, the Afghanistan national futsal team is gearing up to take on formidable opponents from Myanmar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and China.
