Futsal Planet

Croatia vs Lebanon

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by Damon Shaw from Tripoli

Croatia could all but seal their place in the next round with a win over Lebanon, victors over Turkey yesterday, but it didn’t go quite as planned from the start. Talking to Croatia’s number 10, Hrvoje Penava before the game, he said that captain Matija Capar would be the key player for them today and he was spot on as he produced an outstanding performance in a great team performance.

It didn’t start quite as well as planned as Lebanon took the lead after seven minutes before Croatia could get a hold of the game. Lebanon were set up to play on the counter attack and a minute before they took the lead they had another glorious chance but Hayssam Atwi scuffed his shot when clear on goal.

Croatia did have a chance of their own to take the lead, which led to Lebanon’s opener. Great work down the right by Tihomir Novak and he squared across the box. The ball made its way all the way to the second post and Marinovic couldn’t have asked for an easier chance in an open goal from less than one metre. He hit the post and Lebanon made a quick counter attack, ending in Khaled Takaji’s cool finish beyond the goalkeeper.

Bogdanovic nearly equalised for Croatia, but his goal was not given as the Croatia bench protested. He shot high with his left foot and hit the ‘bar’ before the ball bounced down and out. Stankovic and his bench were claiming that the ball hit the inside frame of the goal. It wasn’t to matter as within a minute Josip Suton had levelled. He picked up El Kakhi’s save thaty was turned onto the post and scored from close range.

It should have been two, Bogdanovic will feel he missed a great opportunity when Capar played him through at the far post, only for him to miss time his stride and didn’t connect. Croatia were dominating and playing some really beautiful futsal. Marinovic added a second and Lebanon were deflated. The atmosphere in the stands was starting to build up with local school children coming through the doors and Lebanon seemed to respond well.

Just as Lebanon were on the up, Mato Stankovic called a timeout. Lebanon’s counter attacking threat was becoming apparent and something needed to be done about it. They had a couple of good breakaways, but Croatia were still in control until the end of the period.

Hrvoje Penava, who captained University of Zagreb to the European University Futsal Championship this summer, revealed that Stankovic’s message was about stopping the counter attack and being patient. Immediately, Matija Capar had a great chance to ease the Croatian nerves but El-Kakhi was equal to it and saved.

Croatia were uncharacteristically misplacing a lot of passes. A 2-1 lead is slim and maybe the pressure was building, but it was Dario Marinovic who set up Dulvat at the far post for an easy finish to give Croatia a cushion. As the game went on Croatia came into their own and played some of the best futsal we have seen so far. They were great in possession and ran Lebanon ragged with their passing and movement. They had a good chance just missed before another spell of possession resulted in the goal of the tournament so far. Around two minute of solid possession, and Capar played a ball down the right to Tihomir Novak who powerfully struck from an impossible angle into the roof of the net.

Hrvoje Panava’s 4-1 prediction was on course until Croatia put the icing on the cake with a goal 20 seconds from time. Matija Dulvat broke forward as Lebanon were trying to get something and he picked up on a rebounded shot from Banic’s shot.

The game ended a comfortable 5-1 win for Croatia and they have one foot in the next round. It was the best game of the tournament so far and Matija Capar was instrumental once more as the Croatians clicked together to play some superb futsal. Lebanon proved on Tuesday that they are a dangerous team and will still qualify if they beat Palestine and Turkey don’t beat Croatia.