Courtesy: UEFA.com


Interviú inspired at rivals Murcia

Monday 16 February 2009

by Paul Bryan from Madrid

Interviú Madrid put down an important marker ahead of next week's UEFA Futsal Cup semi-final draw with a 5-4 División de Honor victory at last season's European runners-up ElPozo Murcia FS.

Short-lived leads
Reigning Spanish champions Interviú were already five points clear of arch-rivals Murcia at the top of the table, in the race to secure prime position for the eight-team end-of-season play-offs. After a cagey start to the game, ElPozo took the lead in the 13th minute when Saúl connected with Wilde's pass to beat Luis Amado. That lead was short-lived with Javi Torras equalising and although Pedreño restored home advantage, Raúl's own goal made it 2-2 at the break.

Counterattacks
Schumacher, last week named best player in the world by the respected Futsal Planet website, started and finished the counterattack that allowed the away side to take a second-half lead and make it 100 goals this season, only for Marcelo to level. However, Schumacher finished off another quick break and Saúl put through Murcia's second own goal, meaning that although Vinicius pulled one back with five minutes left, Interviú – now unbeaten in 22 games since September – held on to win.

Amado happy
Amado said: "As always when these two teams meet it was a wonderful game that was full of emotion just as much for the fans as it was for us. I think the key to the win was the pressure we applied, especially in midfield. We also took advantage of the fact that they were a little slow to react; a couple of our goals came about after we stole possession in that area. One of the things we've really improved on is our in-game strategy. There's also a really good atmosphere among the squad."

Finals draw
Two-time UEFA Futsal Cup winners Interviú will discover which of hosts MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg, MFK Dinamo Moskva and Kairat Almaty they will meet in the semi-finals when the draw is made on 28 February, before travelling to Russia for the final four event from 26 to 28 April. Dinamo welcome Ekaterinburg for two vital Russian Super League fixtures on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Kairat are six points clear in Kazakhstan with eight games to go.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Ekaterinburg in dreamland at Dinamo

Thursday 19 February 2009

by Dmitri Rogovitski from Moscow

UEFA Futsal Cup hosts and holders MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg stole a march on final four rivals MFK Dinamo Moskva after travelling to the Russian capital for two Super League games and winning 6-1 before drawing 1-1.

Unhappy birthday
Ekaterinburg had gained two home wins against Dinamo in September and knew more good results at the Krylatskoe Sport Palace, scene of their UEFA Futsal Cup triumph last April, would put them in a strong position to take their first domestic league title. In the event, Tuesday proved an unhappy 51st birthday for newly appointed Dinamo coach Sérgio Sapo as Dmitri Prudnikov and Pavel Chistopolov scored twice apiece for Ekaterinburg while Aleksei Mokhov and Konstantin Timoschenkov also netted before Tatu's consolation for the home team.

'We beat them heavily'
Timoschenkov, who recently made his international debut for Russia in Ekaterinburg under Viz coach Sergei Skorovich, said: "We were confident of winning but nobody expected such a big margin. The key moment was when the referee awarded three double penalties against us with the score at 2-0 late in the first half. I thank our goalkeeper Sergei Zuev – he saved us. I believe it was one of our best performances. We thrashed them."

Maevski equaliser
Sapo, by contrast, called on his side to bounce back on Wednesday, and though they fell behind to a 17th-minute Andrei Afanasiev goal, Konstantin Maevski equalised seven minutes from time. "Today we played much better compared with yesterday, when we asked for defeat," Sapo said. His team, aiming for a seventh straight Russian title, now lie third, 13 points behind Ekaterinburg but with 18 games left to Viz's 16. MFK Tyumen, who have the same number of fixtures remaining as Ekaterinburg, are nine points behind the leaders and welcome Dinamo on 27 and 28 February.

Finals draw
On Saturday week the draw will also be made for the UEFA Futsal Cup semi-finals after Viz's game against TTG-Ugra Yugorsk at the Ekaterinburg Palace of Sport, where the final four will be held from 24 to 26 April. Interviú Madrid and Kairat Almaty will also be involved in the knockout event. For an update on their most recent results, click here.







Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com