BANGKOK: In a repeat final from last year, Thailand once again demonstrated its regional dominance in five-a-side football after beating Australia 5-3 in the AFF Futsal championship last night in Bangkok.
More than 5,000 enthusiastic fans gathered outside the Bangkok Futsal Arena to watch the live broadcast as pitch-side seating inside the 12,000-seat arena was sold out to watch the finale.
Australia advanced after downing Malaysia 6-2 in the semifinal, while Thailand brushed aside Vietnam in their respective semifinal 6-0 – both played on Wednesday (October 14).
Prior to the final on Friday, Malaysia beat Vietnam for 3rd place in a last minute effort to win 6-5.
Though Australia is not part of Asean, it is invited to competed in the Asean Futsal Federation championship, held annually since 2005 after initially being held biannually, twice in 2001 and 2003.
In last year's edition held in Malaysia, Thailand downed Australia in the final 6-0 but the Futsalroos came back this year seemingly more prepared for the War Elephants.