AIPS ASIA News:

Against the backdrop of a historic showpiece for women’s futsal in Asia, Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President, has congratulated Japan on lifting their maiden AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup™ title after the East Asians defeated Thailand 3-2 on penalties in a riveting final at the Hohhot Sports Centre on Saturday.
 
Runners-up at each of the previous two editions, Japan twice took the lead only to be pegged back by first-time finalists Thailand, the third-place finishers in 2015 and 2018. Japan then had to come back in extra time to level proceedings after the Thais took the lead for the first time and with both unable to be separated, it was Japan who held their nerve to lift the trophy.
 
Japan, Thailand and third-placed Islamic Republic of Iran will join hosts, the Philippines, as Asia’s four representatives at the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup, which will take place from November 21 to December 7, 2025.
 
Shaikh Salman said: “I am heartened by the incredible progress of women’s futsal in Asia in recent years and this has been underlined by the first-ever qualifying campaign to be organised in the lead-up to the 2025 Finals, so on behalf of the AFC, I would like to put on record my sincere appreciation to all our Participating Member Associations, both in the Qualifiers and Finals.
 
“When we started this journey in 2015, few Member Associations had a women’s futsal squad and now we are seeing the powerful impact of top-level competitions, as underlined in the AFC’s Vision and Mission, to fuel the development of the game.
 
“We have witnessed some captivating action in Hohhot in the last 12 days and I offer my heartfelt congratulations to both our newly crowned champions Japan, now the first to win every AFC Asian Cup™ across all age-groups and senior level, both men’s and women’s, as well as runners-up Thailand. Our praise must also go to the Japan Football Association and The Football Association of Thailand for their dedication to advance the growth of the game at all levels.”
 
The AFC President was also unreserved in his praise towards the Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the local organisers for their unwavering support and outstanding hosting of the competition.
 
“Developing the women’s game, both in football and futsal, remains at the forefront of the AFC’s efforts and we must convey our profound gratitude to the Local Organising Committee, as well as the Chinese FA who will also be hosting the decisive stages of the inaugural AFC Women’s Champions League™ in Wuhan next week,” Shaikh Salman said.
 
“Even before the first whistle was blown in Hohhot, the CFA’s commitment to provide an exceptional stage for our women’s futsal players to showcase their talent has been truly inspiring and we thank them for their contributions towards elevating the standards of women’s futsal in Asia.
 
“Now, as we shift our attention to the Philippines, we wish the Philippine Football Federation, and our four Asian teams, the very best of success at the milestone global showpiece later this year.”

Courtesy AFC