INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
With just under three weeks to go before FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024
kicks off, Afghanistan&s team is gearing up to take on
Angola in their first match of the tournament on September 15.Speaking to FIFA this week, Afghanistan player Mahdi Norouzi said: &Playing in
the Futsal World Cup is very important to the people of Afghanistan
They have longed to see their team in the World Cup for many years and fortunately we were able to advance to the World Cup with the help of
the head coach, the players and prayers of our people.&This comes after Afghanistan went into the AFC Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers for the
first time in April & and as rank outsiders.Majid Mortezaei&s side nevertheless recorded 5-3 victories over Iraq and Kyrgyz Republic to
conquer the four-team play-offs for a place at the World Cup.&We were so happy that we were able to make the people of Afghanistan proud and
give them a smile,& Norouzi said.&The people of Afghanistan deserved this happiness.&He went on to say that Afghanistan&s head coach has
been watching not only Helber Garcia, Angola&s star, but all their players.&Without doubt we&ll have a special plan to play against Angola
and beat them,& he said.Argentina, who finished first and second respectively at the last two FIFA Futsal World Cups, will provide hurdle
number two, but Afghanistan are undaunted by their opponents& credentials.&It&s true that Argentina have a very good team and are one of the
contenders to win this World Cup,& Norouzi remarked.&But no team has as much motivation as we do
We have no fear of Argentina and we will enter battle to win.&He said the team&s first goal was to advance from the group stage and that
ultimately they would like to win the title.&Every team that qualified for this Futsal World Cup is good and it&s difficult to predict who
will lift the trophy, but I really like Afghanistan&s chances.&Every team has big stars
I think many players from Brazil, Portugal, Spain and even Afghanistan are among the world&s best players,& he said.The Lions of Khorasan
will have one factor in their favor
Afghanistan shares a border with Uzbekistan and are expected to enjoy vociferous support at the tournament.&We are neighbors,& explained
&Many of our compatriots live in Uzbekistan
We expect to have many fans cheering us on.&For fans unable to travel to the sporting extravaganza, Ariana Television will however broadcast
matches live across the country.Afghanistan&s first match, on day 2 of the tournament, will take place on Sunday, September 15 at 17:00.This
will be broadcast live on Ariana Television.This is the first FIFA tournament to be held in Central Asia, and as such is expected to draw
crowds of supporters.Three Host Cities, the capital, Tashkent, Andijan in the Fergana Valley and in ancient Silk Road trading center of
Bukhara, will stage games as Uzbekistan becomes the fourth AFC member to host the FIFA Futsal World Cup after Hong Kong (1992), Chinese
Taipei (2004) and Thailand (2012).The 24-team line-up for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024 is as follows: Afghanistan, Angola,
Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, France, Guatemala, IR Iran, Kazakhstan, Libya, Morocco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama,
Paraguay, Portugal, Spain, Tajikistan, Thailand, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.The post Norouzi says no reason why Afghanistan can&t win
Futsal World Cup first appeared on Ariana News.
