Afghanistan’s under-17 futsal team will face China on Sunday afternoon in a decisive Group B clash at the AFC U-17 Boys’ Futsal Championship in Bahrain, as both teams vie for a place in the knockout stage.
The match, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Kabul time, comes after Afghanistan delivered back-to-back wins in its opening two fixtures, including a dominant 7-0 victory over host nation Bahrain.
That win followed an earlier 10-2 rout of Uzbekistan, pushing Afghanistan to the top of the group with six points, a +15 goal difference, and zero goals conceded in their most recent match. China sits just behind with four points, having won one game and drawn another.
Sunday’s matchup is expected to decide the top seed in Group B, with both teams strong contenders for qualification.
Against Bahrain, the Afghan side dominated every aspect of the game:
Shots on goal: Afghanistan 42, Bahrain 3
Corners: Afghanistan 8, Bahrain 3
Saves: Bahrain 16, Afghanistan 2
Possession: Afghanistan 71%, Bahrain 29%
Afghanistan’s clinical finishing and high-pressure play have made them early favorites in the tournament. Their 17 goals scored across two matches lead the group in offensive output.
As of Sunday morning, Group B standings are as follows:
Afghanistan – 6 points (2W-0D-0L), +15 GD
China – 4 points (1W-1D-0L), +6 GD
Uzbekistan – 1 point (0W-1D-1L), -8 GD
Bahrain – 0 points (0W-0D-2L), -13 GD
Afghanistan will advance to the next round with a win or draw, while China must win to overtake the group leaders.
The AFC U-17 Championship brings together the top youth futsal talent in Asia, and for Afghanistan, a victory today would mark another milestone in a tournament that has already showcased their rising potential.
