Shock exit: Thailand fall to the guns of Iraq in futsal quarters

Thailand's hopes of claiming continental glory in five-a-side football were dashed on Tuesday as they fell 4–2 to Iraq in the quarter-finals of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup in Jakarta.

The defeat ended the campaign of the former runners-up and confirmed Iraq's return to the last four for the first time since 2018.

The match began brightly for Iraq, who seized the initiative in the seventh minute. Salim Kadhim embarked on a surging run from deep inside his own half before laying the ball off to Mustafa Ihsan, whose toe-poke finish beat Thai goalkeeper Nuttapong Yeemarep.

Thailand responded swiftly, levelling two minutes later when Panut Kittipanuwong squared for Muhammad Osamanmusa to tap home amid a scramble in the Iraqi penalty area.

The Southeast Asian side threatened to take control before the interval.

Osamanmusa was denied at close range by goalkeeper Ibrahim Ahmed, while Panut's curling effort rattled the crossbar.

Iraq reasserted themselves after the break, with Kadhim again the catalyst. His pace down the right flank created space for Ihsan, who calmly slotted a low shot into the bottom corner to restore the lead.

Thailand pressed hard for an equaliser, Panut going close twice in quick succession, but Ahmed proved equal to the challenge. Even when the goalkeeper was beaten in the 33rd minute, the woodwork intervened, Krit Aransanyalak's angled strike cannoning off the post.

Iraq punished that miss almost immediately, Kadhim combining neatly with Ihsan before driving home their third goal.

The contest was effectively settled in the 37th minute. Ahmed saved Osamanmusa's attempt and launched a counter-attack that ended with Iraq firing into an unguarded Thai net.

Chaowala Sriarwut pulled one back in the final minute, but it was no more than consolation as Iraq celebrated a long-awaited semi-final berth.

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