Courtesy:
Shamrock Rovers Official Web SiteRovers progress in FAI Futsal CupMonday, 01 February 2010Shamrock Rovers have progressed through a difficult first round of the FAI Futsal Cup and are now into the knock-out stages of the national competition.
The Hoops will meet an Ulster side in the last 16 after finishing second in their qualifying group behind Polish outfit Blue Magic on Saturday at the Umbro BRL Arena in Ballymun.
Blue Magic were the team to beat on the day with three wins from as many games and they progress to the second round as group winners.
Rovers used a much-changed squad from the side that won the Emerald Futsal League (Leinster) last year. Captain Anderson Nunes has returned to Brazil for a short spell while compatriot Leonardo Da Sousa has returned to his homeland permanently. In addition regular goal-scorer Philip McDonagh and Alvin Lawlor were both out through injury. Brendan Dawson and Reinaldo Grube were both unavailable.
Amongst the new players starring for the Hoops this year is John Fullam, whose father John senior is a real Rovers legend.
Blue Magic started well with a 3-0 win over St Patrick's Athletic with former Saints star Artur Opeldus bagging two against his former team-mates. Sebastian Opeldus added the third.
Rovers had started with a 3-3 draw with FAS Futsal thanks to a double from Badr Bouznig and an Ian Byrne strike. FAS Futsal's goals came from a Robert Murtagh double and a Sean Stewart finish.
The Hoops then pushed Blue Magic all the way to the death in an absorbing second encounter. Artur Opeldus again scoring for Blue Magic with Ian Byrne replying for Rovers. Adam Kryger snatched the winner with just under two minutes left.
St Pats beat FAS Futsal 3-2 in a cracking tie thanks to goals from John O'Donoghue, Jackson Alexandre and Shane Brady. Robert Murtagh and Aaron Humphries finding the net for FAS.
FAS then lost 3-1 to Blue Magic after producing an excellent performance that deserved more. Gary Burke scored for FAS but after keeper Rafal Wirkus made a string of saves, Artur Opeldus again bagged a double with Marcin Fornal also finding the net.
The final fixture saw St Pats needing just a draw to progress as group runners-up. However, they found a Rovers side in resolute mood and goals from Peter Finn and Ian Byrne saw the Hoops win 2-0 to finish second.
Blue Magic will now meet Munster Region Two runners-up with Rovers facing the Ulster Region Two winners on Saturday, February 27 in the last 16.
SHAMROCK ROVERS - John Somers; Ian Byrne (C), Vinicius Terso, Badr Bouznig, Peter Finn, Hiago Freitas, John Fullam, Braulio Rangel, Alexandre Vaz, Richard Maher, Glen Somers, David Cross.
Posted by
Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
