YANGON (26 December 2024) – The Myanmar Women’s Futsal national team is gearing up for next month’s AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers. Under the guidance of head coach Bunlert Charoenwong, the team is currently training diligently in Yangon, preparing for the qualifying round scheduled from January 15 to 19, 2025.
Myanmar has been placed in Group D, where they will face Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, and Macau. The stakes are high, as the four group winners and runners-up will advance, along with the best third-placed team. This tournament serves as a significant opportunity for Myanmar, acting as the host nation and aiming to showcase their futsal talents.
Meanwhile, the situation is less favorable for the Pakistan Women’s Futsal team, which has announced its withdrawal from the AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup qualifying rounds. Sources indicate the withdrawal stems from financial constraints faced by the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF). Originally, the Group B matches, which included Pakistan, were set to take place in Indonesia, where they would compete against Indonesia, India, Kyrgyzstan, and Hong Kong starting on January 15.
This withdrawal marks a disappointing turn of events for the Pakistan Women's Futsal team, which was poised to participate in its first top-tier futsal competition. Having announced their intention to compete back in June 2024, hopes were high for the team to secure funding and make their mark on the Asian stage.
Unfortunately, the PFF could not obtain the necessary financial support, including potential assistance from FIFA, which left the team out of the official draw. This financial shortfall not only affects women’s futsal but raises concerns over the PFF’s ability to fund future events, especially the upcoming AFC Men’s Asian Cup qualifying rounds set for March 2025. Sources suggest without financial backing by January 20, Pakistan’s participation could also be jeopardized.
The absence of the Pakistan team will affect the competitive dynamics of the qualifiers, as they have been replaced by the existing teams. While the tournament brings hopes for many, it also highlights the barriers faced by some teams due to financial limitations.
The AFC Women’s Futsal Asian Cup qualifiers stand as an integral event for the teams involved, providing not just competitive opportunities but also the chance to gain invaluable experience on the international stage. With Myanmar ready to take the spotlight, the hope remains for teams like Pakistan to overcome their challenges and strive for participation and success in future events.
