The AFC Futsal Club Championship Thailand 2016, which determines the best futsal club in Asia, took place Friday 15 through Saturday 23 July in Bangkok, Thailand. As F.League champions, Nagoya Oceans participated in the tournament representing Japan.

Nagoya, looking to win the title after two years, faced Vic Vipers FC from Australia in their first match of the group stage. Although Nagoya opened the scoring with a goal from YOSHIKAWA Tomoki, who was added from a Spanish club on loan specifically for this tournament, the Australian club turned the score around once, and the match eventually ended in a 2-2 draw.

The Japan side lost the second match 3-1 to hosts Chonburi Bluewave (Thailand) receiving a big boost from 10,000+ home crowd. Despite finishing the group stage with one draw and one loss, Nagoya managed to advance to the knockout stage on a goal difference for the seventh straight year since the inaugural championship.

In the quarterfinal on Tuesday 19, Nagoya met defending champions Tasisat Daryaei FSC (Iran). Expecting to avenge their defeat to the same team in last year's quarterfinal, Nagoya edged a close contest, thanks to goalkeeper SEKIGUCHI Yushi in a penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 extra-time draw.

In the semi-final, Nagoya continued getting in a tough situation where they allowed Dibba Al Hissin SCC (UAE) an opening goal. But the F.League champions came back within the first half and ended the match 3-1, advancing to the final for the first time in two years.

The final saw Nagoya play against Iraq-side NAFIT Al-Wasat, turning out to be a seesaw thriller. HOSHI Ryuta's last-ditch equaliser in the closing minutes of the extra time contest helped his team to a 6-5 penalty shoot-out win. Nagoya clinched their third championship after two years, the most in the history of the tournament.

AFC Futsal Club Championship Thailand 2016
Nagoya Oceans Match Result

Group Stage

1st Match  Sat. 16 July
Nagoya Oceans　2-2 (1-0, 1-2)　Vic Vipers FC (Australia)
[Scores] YOSHIKAWA Tomoki, SAKAI Rafael Yoshio

2nd Match  Sun. 17 July
Nagoya Oceans　1-3 (0-1, 1-2)　Chonburi Bluewave (Thailand)
[Scores] ANDO Ryohei

Quarter Final  Tue. 19 July

Nagoya Oceans　2-2 (1-1, 0-0, Ex 1-1, PSO 3-2)　Tasisat Daryaei FSC (Iran)
[Scores] SAKAI Rafael Yoshio, SAITO Koichi

Semi Final  Thu. 21 July

Nagoya Oceans　3-1 (3-1, 0-0)　Dibba Al Hissin SCC (UAE)
[Scores] SAKAI Rafael Yoshio, ANDO Ryohei, YOSHIKAWA Tomoki

Final  Sat. 23 July

Nagoya Oceans　4-4 (2-2, 1-1, Ex 1-1, PSO 6-5)　NAFIT Al- Wasat (Iraq)
[Scores] YOSHIKAWA Tomoki, SAITO Koichi, SAKAI Rafael Yoshio, HOSHI Ryuta

Tournament Result

1st: Nagoya Oceans (Japan)
2nd: NAFIT Al- Wasat (Iraq)
3rd: Chonburi Bluewave (Thailand)

Awards

Fair Play Award: Dibba Al Hissin SCC (UAE)
Best Player: Farhad TavakolI (NAFIT Al- Wasat)
Top Scorer: Jirawat Sornwichian (Chonburi Bluewave)　6 Goals

Coach and Players' Comments

Pedro COSTA, Coach
First, I want to give praise to the opponents. We needed to bring out the best in such a difficult match, and they were a really powerful team.

I want to give praise to my staff members next. The team secretary worked hard for the sake of our club and players from morning till night. Without the interpreter, my words never reach the pitch. We are strong on the pitch thanks to our assistant coach. The doctor and trainer conditioned our players well. Thank you very much. I'm glad to share the pleasure with all the staff here. I'm too happy to think of right words for the great result now.

And I've got to thank the past two coaches as well. They are Víctor Acosta, the last coach when I was a player, and Adil, the coach when I joined Nagoya Oceans. I learned a lot from those two coaches.

I'm honoured we got this prestigious title in three months after I took over as coach. Before coming to this tournament, we didn't get the results we wanted, and there were a lot of elements we felt highly concerned about. But as we advanced in the tournament, the level and condition of the team got better. The team kept growing throughout the tournament, I think. Even when we allowed an opening goal, the players have acquired an ability to turn it around and mental strength to battle tenaciously.

The F.League will start after we get back to Japan. We will give it everything we've got out of the experience here for the league matches. And lastly, I want to thank my family. No matter how far we are apart, we are always by each other’s side.

I really don't know what to say any more. Thank you, Thailand. Thank you, AFC.

SHINODA Ryuma
I'm happy to get the title with this team being like a real family. I didn't get so much playing time, but fortunately I've learned from my parents, teachers, and elders that the true quality of a person shows when he reacts to adversities and when things don’t go well. I believe I was able to let go of my ego and think about what I can do for the team. I thank my teammates for the best outcome! And I would like to thank all the people who supported us from Japan!

SEKIGUCHI Yushi
I'm very happy to get the first title after joining up with the team at the start of the season. We will keep the momentum for the F.League to win the 10th straight championship.

YOSHIKAWA Tomoki
First I would like to give appreciation to all the support. I was personally very disappointed at the Japan's loss in the AFC Futsal Championship in February. My determination for this tournament was quite strong. I'm really glad we were able to show Asian people how great Japanese futsal is. I feel terrific now.

SAKAI Rafael Yoshio
I'm proud of the title after overcoming the tough pressure in this tournament, where no one believed us Nagoya Oceans would win. The most important thing was to win the championship. I'm really glad.

HOSHI Ryuta (Captain)
First, I would like thank everyone for their support. It's a huge thing to win the Asian title and it's a great honour. We've just started off as a new Oceans. We don't want to be overconfident but will win the F.League title to build up our history step by step.

NAKAMURA Yusuke
I'm really happy we believed in each other and won the tournament as a team. I will start from scratch and work hard after getting back to Japan.

SAITO Koichi
I sincerely appreciate all the encouragement and support. We earned this victory as a team. All the takeaways, both positive and negative, were a confidence builder. Not being satisfied with the results, I will continue working hard.

TAMURA Kento
I am very happy that I was able to celebrate this tournament title with my teammates. I will practice and play in games with even higher self-awareness and self-confidence in the future.

YAGI Kiyoto
I felt again the players who played with me were great and tough. We were able to win because we all including staff members united as one. I know it's going to be competitive for a starting spot after getting back to Japan. I will work hard even in training. I want to say thank you to everyone.

Serginho
We came here to the AFC Championship to surprise people around us. Our team are happy with the title, but once getting to Japan, I will try to move on and shift my focus to F.League.

HASHIMOTO Masaya
I'm very happy we were able to be the Asian champions. But the season will keep going. I want to make efforts to get all the remaining titles. I appreciate all the support.

MAYEDONCHI Matias Hernan
I'm really happy for the AFC championship title with this new team whose line-up was refreshed from last season. It resulted from the team working as one. Believing in my teammates, I will go out to get all the remaining titles.

ANDO Ryouhei
It was a tournament where we had a great experience. The F.League is beginning after we get back to Japan. I will work harder to show myself growing. I appreciate all the support we have got.