Courtesy: FAI Futsal Portal
FAI Futsal PortalFutsal Cup off to a flyer!Monday, 01 February 2010The FAI Futsal Cup 2010 got off to a thrilling start on Saturday when the Leinster Group One first round tournament took place at the Umbro BRL Arena in Ballymun.
Polish outfit 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. Shamrock Rovers will join them at that stage as group runners-up.
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 Shamrock Rovers facing Ulster Region Two winners on Saturday, February 27 in the last 16.
Posted by
Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
