Group D: Rodrigo revels as Japan get into gear

Coach Miguel Rodrigo believes Japan's class is starting to show as they overpowered Iraq with a 10-1 victory at IT University Complex on Monday that sealed their place in the last eight of the AFC Futsal Championship 2010.

The free-scoring Japanese have scored 15 goals and conceded just two in the tournament so far and are looking confident as they pursue a second AFC Futsal Championship title on Uzbekistan soil following their triumph four years ago.

"We were initially faced with a problem because Iraq put their entire team in defence and it was difficult for us to create chances," said Rodrigo.

"However, missed chances still forced our rivals to open up and that left us more space to attack. We have a new team and we are pleased with this performance. We can only build on our game, but the plusses of our work are already visible."

Iraq coach Asaad Al Hamadani had no qualms with the result as he looks to pick his side up for their crucial final Group D match with China on Tuesday to determine who will join Japan in the last eight.

"Yes, we played poorly and lost. We made a lot of mistakes but our opponent forced us to make these mistakes and that was the main cause for the defeat," he said. "Difficult circumstances back home meant that we had inadequate training so today we could not play on a par with a team such as Japan."

China coach commends cohesion

China coach Guilherme Da Silveira was pleased with his side's ruthlessness in attack as they put Turkmenistan to the sword with a convincing 6-2 win over Turkmenistan at IT University Complex on Monday and keep themselves in contention for a place in the last eight.

"The game turned out beautifully with lots of chances to score," said the Brazilian. "In the first half we found it difficult as Turkmenistan used their goalkeeper as the last defender. But my players were able to make the most of their chances and acted very cohesively. I can only congratulate them on their victory."

Turkmenistan coach Victor Kurochkin felt the difference in class between the two sides proved telling. "We tried, we fought as hard we could, but our opponents were simply stronger," he said. "We used the goalkeeper as the last defender because it was a tactical move, but, unfortunately, his mistakes led to the two missed goals."