Day Three Recap in Solo

The final day of group stage action was enthralling, here is a recap from day three at the 2025 IFCPF Asia-Oceania Championships.

Murphy’s last-gasp header saves Australia, qualify for final four with 1-1 draw

Augustine Murphy’s stoppage-time goal has rescued Australia in a 1-1 draw with Japan, qualifying them from Group A at the Asia-Oceania Cup.

Murphy nodded from a pinpoint Alessandro La Verghetta cross just as hope seemed lost, creating a concoction of jubilation and relief on the Australian bench.

Tetsuya Toda had given Japan the lead late in the first half from a great free-kick, which had his country on course to qualify. The Japan skipper led from the back in the game, and along with the rest of his team, showed his exasperation at the final whistle.

Australia will take on Iran in the semi-final, while Japan will play for fifth place.

Iran take down Thailand, seal top spot in Group B

2023 champions Iran has qualified for another semi-final in regional play, defeating Thailand 3-1 to seal top spot in the group.

Goals from Amirhossein Ghorbani, Moslem Mehrabian and Alireza Ahmadimoghadam all found the back of the net, with Ghorbani scoring inside three minutes.

Chanathip Deeman had levelled the game at 1-1 early in the second half, continuing a sparkling individual tournament, but he could not get his team over the line.

Thailand will face tournament hosts Indonesia for a place in the final, while Iran will battle Australia in a repeat of the 2023 decider.

Malaysia opens tournament account with a win, late goal consigns South Korea to defeat

Nasveer Singh’s added-time goal gave Malaysia its first win of the 2025 Asia-Oceania Championships, defeating South Korea 2-1.

Adray Uzair scored his second goal of the tournament in the 10th minute, turning the ball home into the bottom corner to break the deadlock.

Kim Kinam levelled the game just past the midway point of the second half, heading in from a corner to bring the game level.

It looked like the game would end in a stalemate before Singh struck home at the near post, earning Player of the Match honours in the process.

Both Malaysia and South Korea will play in the 5th-7th Playoff.