HÀ NỘI — Two debutants, Sanna Khánh Hòa FC and Dibba Al Hissin SCC, will play each other in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal Club Championship’s quarter-finals today.

Both sides are eyeing a place in the last four.

Sanna Khánh Hòa of Việt Nam are the top team in Group D after two wins. They have scored six goals so far and only conceded against Al-Sadd after beating Taipower 3-0 in their opening fixture.

Dibba Al Hissin SCC of the United Arab Emirates are second in Group C, recording two draws in the group stage against Nafit Al-Wasit and Dalian Yuan Dynasty FC.

Despite their first time in the continental event coach Đặng Đình Khang of Khánh Hòa is confident about his players.

“If they could play as well as they have done so far we will have big chance to beat Dibba in the quarter-finals,” Khang said.

“From the time the competition started our target was to reach the next round, so every match for us is a final,” he said.

“Dibba’s game is similar to Al-Sadd but it would be a more difficult match because it is the knock-out stage now,” he said, adding, “Now, my players are confident, so I hope they can play their best match.”

Sanna Khánh Hòa have their best formation, except for Lê Anh Tuấn, who suffers from a twisted ankle.

The other quarter-final match is between Iraqi Nafit Al-Wasat and Al-Sadd.

Iraqi Nafit reached the AFC Futsal Club Championship semi-finals in 2015. Meanwhile, Qatar’s Al-Sadd are no strangers to the tournament, having appeared twice before. They made it all the way to the final in 2010.

Reigning champions Tasisat Daryaei of Iran who sealed their spot in the top of Group B will face Japanese Nagoya Oceans who finished second in Group A.

Host club Chonburi Bluewave will be up against Almalyk FC of Uzbekistan.

The Thais with home advantage are well placed to mount another challenge for the title they won for the first time in 2013. 

Meanwhile Almalyk who are playing their AFC debut have a squad packed with players who have major tournament experience, which is believed to be capable of denying the host’s dream. — VNS