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As Japan lift their first Asian crown, hosts China captivate with unexpected brilliance, while Iran grapple with falling short, but still qualify for a historic FIFA World Cup.
The 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup in Hohhot, China, was not merely a competition, it became a statement. It showcased the tactical maturity of Japan, the emotional resurgence of Iran, and most compellingly, the meteoric rise of the host nation, China PR.
(Main picture: Japan win’s the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup – source of the image: AFC website)
The knockout rounds delivered surprises, heartbreaks, and the defining moments that set the stage for Asia’s representatives at the inaugural FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup in the Philippines this November. Here’s how it all unfolded, and why it matters beyond the court.
Quarter-Finals: Titans Awake, and a Host Emerges
China PR 6–0 Indonesia
The host nation sent a clear message to the continent with a ruthless dismantling of Indonesia. Zhan Zewen opened the scoring before Jiang Xiaoyu, Yu Ting, and Xiong Jing joined in among others. China, undefeated in the group stage, continued to dazzle with their energy, rotations, and crowd-backed momentum.
Coach Hu Jie stayed grounded, reminding press post-match: “We have to take each game as it comes. But yes, this team is making history.”
Vietnam 0–2 Japan
Clinical and controlled, Japan eliminated Vietnam with goals in each half. Risa Ikadai and Miku Eguchi were instrumental, combining crisp ball movement with efficient finishing. “It’s all about the small details,” coach Kenichiro Kogure commented, praising Japan’s discipline and preparation.
Thailand 5–2 Hong Kong
Thailand exploded into life with five first-half goals from a variety of scorers including Jenjira Buppha and Darika Peanpailun. Though Hong Kong responded late, the gap was too great. Thai media hailed the team’s “lethal left-foot combinations and pressing intensity.”
Chinese Taipei 1–3 Iran (AET)
Iran, twice champions, were pushed to the edge by Chinese Taipei. A late equaliser sent the game into extra time, where Maral Torkaman, Fereshteh Khosravi and Tavasoli asserted their authority. Still, questions began to mount about Iran’s vulnerability.
Semi-Finals: Dreams and Disruptions
China PR 2–3 Thailand
In one of the most gripping matches of the tournament, Thailand took the lead, but China replied through Fan Yuqiu and Cao Jiayi. But Thailand’s fightback led by a Jenjira Buppha penalty and a late own goal by Zhan Huimin crushed the hosts’ World Cup dreams. Still, Chinese fans stood and applauded their team’s deepest-ever run.
Coach Thanatorn Santanaprasit praised the opposition: “China surprised everyone. We had to give everything to get past them.”
Japan 3–2 Iran
In the marquee clash, Japan went 2–0 up within four minutes thanks to Risa Ikadai and Kyoka Takahashi. Iran battled back, Maral Torkaman scored twice, but a crucial third by Yukari Miyahara proved decisive. Iran’s press called it a “symbolic end to an era.”
Coach Forouzan Soleimani was blunt: “We wanted the title. But Japan were better prepared. We’ll regroup for the World Cup.”
Third-Place Play-Off: Iran’s Redemption, China’s Heartbreak
China PR 1–3 Iran
Cao Jiayi gave China early hope, but Iran responded with clinical finishing. Torkaman, who went on to claim the tournament’s Golden Boot with six goals, struck twice, with Maral Mehdi Pour adding the third. The win secured Iran’s place at the World Cup, though they left the tournament without a medal for the first time since 2015.
Despite the loss, China’s campaign was hailed by domestic media as a turning point for the sport’s visibility. CGTN called the squad “pioneers for the next generation.” The question now is, can they keep this momentum? How much did hosting the competition play into their success? Can they replicate this in future competition? We look forward to see how they respond and progress.
Final: Japan’s Crowning Glory
Thailand 3–3 Japan (Japan win 3–2 on penalties)
The final was a pulsating contest that saw the lead change three times. Goals from Sara Oino and Kyoka Takahashi put Japan ahead, but Thailand’s Jenjira Buppha and Nattamon Artkla answered back. Extra-time saw both sides trade goals again by Paerploy Huajaipetch and Yukari Miyahara before the game went to penalties.
Japan keeper Nene Inoue saved two spot-kicks, sealing their first-ever title after two previous runners-up finishes. She was named Best Goalkeeper, while Sara Oino claimed MVP honours. Japan had finally broken the glass ceiling.
The Bigger Picture: Japan’s Rise and Iran’s Reset
Japan’s success didn’t happen overnight. A domestic league with growing support, youth talent pathways, and international exposure (some players now trial abroad) have elevated their women’s futsal structure. Coach Kogure credited unity and intense preparation: “We trained with a mindset for winning, not just playing well. That made the difference.”
Meanwhile, Iran will look to rebuild. Despite boasting the tournament’s top scorer, they struggled with cohesion, especially defensively. A transitional phase could be underway.
China’s Breakthrough: Hosting and Overachieving
Unranked by many pundits before the tournament, China PR’s progression to the semi-finals was electrifying. Their young squad, featuring Xiong Jing, Yu Ting, and veteran Fan Yuqiu, showed composure and flair. More importantly, they showed fans and federations alike that investment yields results.
Coach Hu Jie said: “We’re proud, but this is only the beginning. If we want to compete at the World Cup level, we must build from here.”
Their efforts were rewarded with the Fair Play Award, but also with a cultural win, Chinese fans filled arenas, and national broadcasters aired every knockout game live. The message? Women’s futsal has arrived.
FIFA’s Vision: More Than a Tournament
With all 16 nations now confirmed, the stage is set for the first-ever FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, taking place from 21 November to 7 December 2025 in the Philippines. Participating nations:
- Philippines
- Iran
- Japan
- Thailand
- Morocco
- Tanzania
- Canada
- Panama
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Colombia
- New Zealand
- Italy
- Poland
- Portugal
- Spain
Kasra Haghighi, Head of Olympics, Futsal & Beach Soccer at FIFA, announced a ground breaking strategy:
“Beyond the Court: Futsal Impact Initiatives”, built around five key pillars:
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Inspire and Deliver Excellence: Elevate the women’s game to elite levels.
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Boost Promotion and Awareness: Showcase women’s futsal globally with media, marketing and endorsement strategies.
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Accelerate Development and Growth: Build lasting futsal ecosystems, particularly in host nation Philippines.
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Pioneer Innovation: Experiment with new broadcast models and fan engagement tools.
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Build Inclusive Capacity: Develop more female coaches, referees, and technical staff.
“This landmark tournament is about more than what happens on the pitch,” said Haghighi.
“We aim to empower the community by delivering a world-class event that celebrates equality, inclusion, innovation, and sustainable growth.”
The initiatives are designed to leave a legacy both in the Philippines and across all participating nations. With Asia sending Japan, Thailand, and Iran to the World Cup, the region is set to be a central player in that global evolution.
Source of the image: FIFA
Final Reflections
From tactical showdowns to emotional farewells, the 2025 AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup knockout stages told a continent’s story in miniature—resilience, ambition, and hope.
As the world’s best prepare for Manila this November, this tournament proved one thing for sure: women’s futsal in Asia is no longer emerging—it’s thriving.
Organ Donation
Futsal Focus is a supporter of Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his family’s campaign to raise awareness of Organ Donation. We encourage our readers to learn more about Organ Donation: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/
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