Afghanistan delivered a statement performance in its opening match of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026, defeating Saudi Arabia 3–0 in a dominant and disciplined display.
Jakarta | By Farzana Momand
Afghanistan delivered a statement performance in its opening match of the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026, defeating Saudi Arabia 3–0 in a dominant and disciplined display.
Afghanistan’s national futsal team began its AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2026 campaign with an emphatic 3–0 victory over Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, underlining its growing competitiveness on the continental stage.
The match was played on Wednesday, 29 January, at the Lurduro Indoor Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. Afghanistan controlled key phases of the game and converted its chances efficiently, while denying Saudi Arabia any clear scoring opportunities.
Reza Hosseinpour scored twice for Afghanistan, with Omid Ghanbari adding the third goal to seal a decisive opening win. Despite entering the tournament well prepared, Saudi Arabia struggled to break through Afghanistan’s organized defensive structure and failed to register a goal.
Afghanistan has been drawn into one of the tournament’s toughest groups, alongside Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Malaysia. The opening result strengthens Afghanistan’s position in the group and provides early momentum as the team prepares for upcoming matches against higher-ranked opposition.
The victory reflects continued progress in Afghan futsal, particularly in tactical discipline and execution at major international tournaments.