Sport
Uzbekistan ready to kick off FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024
The event itself is historic as it’s the first time a Futsal World Cup is being held in Central Asia
With just three days to go before the FIFA Futsal World Cup kicks off, host country Uzbekistan is all set to leave what it hopes will be a legacy for future generations.
The event itself is historic as it’s the first time a Futsal World Cup is being held in Central Asia.
The head of Uzbekistan Football Association’s (UFA) Competitions and Events Department and project manager for the Uzbekistan World Cup committee, Mukhammad Sodik Sadik-Akhunov, said this week that his country is “well prepared” for the event.
“Uzbekistan has invested in modernizing and expanding its sporting infrastructure, including state-of-the-art futsal arenas and training facilities. These investments ensure that the country is well-prepared to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup and provide ongoing support for the sport’s development post-tournament.
“The UFA has also established programmes to maintain and utilize these facilities for future competitions and training purposes,” he said.
The competition, which gets underway on Saturday 14 September and comes to an end on Sunday 6 October, will highlight just how hard the UFA have been working over the last few years, with FIFA also playing a key role.
Through its FIFA Forward 1.0 and 2.0 programmes, world football’s governing body has contributed to the modernisation of Uzbekistan by funding the construction of pitches and the renovation of the stadium and stands at the UFA Technical Centre in Tashkent as well as installation of floodlights sufficient for international matches.
There is also a technical center that can now host matches and provide accommodation for youth teams, as well as offering facilities for meetings and theory sessions for players.
It is a legacy for future generations that FIFA and the UFA have worked hand in hand to create and from which futsal will also benefit.
“The UFA intends to leave a legacy of enhanced futsal infrastructure, increased grassroots participation, and heightened awareness of the sport. By hosting the FIFA Futsal World Cup, the UFA hopes to establish a robust framework for the development of futsal, ensuring that it remains a prominent sport in Uzbekistan for years to come,” said Sadik-Akhunov.
On his country’s team, he said: “We want to go as far as we possibly can in the tournament and we aspire to showcase Uzbekistan’s talent on the global stage, promote the sport of futsal within the country, and inspire the next generation of players.
“Hosting the FIFA Futsal World Cup provides an opportunity to elevate the sport’s profile and demonstrate Uzbekistan’s capabilities in organizing major international events,” said Sadik-Akhunov.
Twenty-four teams will take part in the 10th FIFA Futsal World Championship in Uzbekistan, with Afghanistan, Tajikistan, New Zealand and France making their debut and Portugal defending the title they won three years ago in Lithuania.
For Afghanistan, who are already in Tashkent, their first match will be against Angola on Sunday 15 September.
Ariana Television Network has the legal rights to broadcast this exciting event live in Afghanistan, so fans around the country can start tuning in from Friday.
Sport
Afghanistan makes history with first ever win over South Africa
The stars of the match were undoubtedly Fazalhaq Farooqi and 18-year-old sensation Mohammad Ghazanfar who shared seven wickets between them
A brilliant bowling display propelled Afghanistan to their first win over South Africa in international cricket on Wednesday night after they bundled their African opponents out for 106 in the first of three ODIs.
The stars of the match were undoubtedly Fazalhaq Farooqi and 18-year-old sensation Mohammad Ghazanfar who shared seven wickets between them.
Having won the toss, South Africa opted to bat first only to be jolted by Farooqi's early strikes. The left-arm pacer came around the wicket to account for Reeza Hendricks and Aiden Markram early on.
He added the wicket of Tony de Zorzi before Ghazanfar worked his magic on the middle-order, dismissing Tristan Stubbs and debutant Jason Smith for ducks in the same over.
South Africa, reduced to 29/5, soon crumbled to 36/7 as Ghazanfar snared the wicket of Kyle Verreynne and Andile Phehlukwayo succumbed to a run out.
An eighth-wicket partnership of 39 between Wiaan Mulder and Bjorn Fortuin, however, saw them past the danger and threatened to rebuild the innings.
Fortuin was bowled by Rashid Khan, playing his first ODI since last year's World Cup, but Mulder dragged them past the hundred mark, going on to reach his first ODI fifty.
He fell shortly afterwards to Farooqi, his 52 coming from 84 balls with five fours and a six.
Rashid wrapped up the innings in 33.3 overs when he had Lungi Ngidi leg before to finish with 2-30.
Afghanistan will play the second of three ODI’s against South Africa on Friday.
Afghanistan’s national team went down 2-1 to Argentina on Wednesday night in their second FIFA Futsal World Cup 2024 match in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Afghanistan’s goal was scored by Hussain Mohammadi and the Player of the Match went to Afghanistan’s Javad Safari.
Argentina’s win meant the Group C team booked their spot in the knockout phase of the tournament.
Next up for Afghanistan is their clash against Ukraine on Saturday, September 21.
Fans can however tune in to watch Thursday and Friday’s matches live on Ariana Television - the official broadcaster of this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup.
Sport
Afghanistan ready for ‘exciting’ match against Argentina in Futsal WC clash
Both teams beat their opponents in their opening matches and will each be looking to hold on to their winning streak
Match Day 5, Wednesday September 18, of the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan will see Afghanistan take on Argentina in their Group C match.
The match will kick off at 7.30pm at the Humo Arena, in Tashkent.
While both teams beat their opponents in their opening matches, history favors Argentina, which is ranked 5th in the world. However, supporters favor Afghanistan, which is ranked 30th.
For the masses of Afghan fans who have made their way to Tashkent for the match, fireworks and goals are expected as the two teams tussle it out for a win.
Speaking ahead of the match, Afghan player Akbar Kazemi said: “I think it will be a very exciting spectacle for the supporters. There will be a lot of goals.
“We like to play beautiful futsal and so do Argentina. We will give it our all because we want to finish top of our group.”
Other matches scheduled for Wednesday are Angola v Ukraine, Libya v Kazakhstan, and Spain v New Zealand.
Fans who are not able to experience the thrill of the match tonight in person can tune in to Ariana Television to watch the game.
Ariana Television network is the official broadcaster of this World Cup and is broadcasting matches live each day.
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