Slovenia vs Algeria

-> OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by Damon Shaw from Tripoli

With a win putting Slovenia into the next stage, and Algeria sitting 60 places below them in the World Futsal Rankings, the Africans could have been forgiven for sitting in their box and defending like there was no tomorrow. But they didn’t, they came out and played futsal the way it should be played and tried to attack. Slovenia were too strong for them though and despite taking 10 minutes to open their account, once they did, they never looked back.

Slovenia started strongly and created chances. Until they scored it had been all Slovenia, but Algeria broke once or twice and could have had a surprise lead had it not been for Puskar in the Slovenian goal. Yesterday’s MVP, Osredkar was running the Algerians ragged but he couldn’t apply the finish after he found the space for himself on three occasions in quick succession.

Rok Mordej did hit the post after Cujec’s shot was heading wide. He was there to turn it in, but he only managed to hit the upright. As one might have thought this wasn’t going to be Slovenia’s day, Kristjan Cujec won a tackle deep in Algeria territory and Melink, the captain seized on the loose ball and poked past the onrushing goalkeeper to make it one nil.

Algeria were on the back foot and Slovenia could sense their luck turning. Damir Pertic was then creator of his own goal as his was on the edge of the area he moved the ball out of his feet and shot in an instant past his marker. Tifrani in goal had no chance to see the snapshot and it was two nil. Captain Benjamin Melink then doubled his tally with another toe poke before Smon set up Osredkar for an easy finish at the far post.

The goal of the game came just before half time as Pertic hit a rocket from 15 metres into the top corner to put the game to bed for Slovenia in the first half. He hit is so powerfully and accurately no goalkeeper in the world would have got to it.

Slovenia didn’t let up after the break and it only took them four minutes this time to get off the mark and extend their lead through Gaj Rosic. By this point Algeria were put to the sword but Slovenia kept on coming and wouldn’t let up and the floodgates opened. Ales Smon scored to make it seven and Kristjan Cujec then dribbled through and shot a powerful shot past the keeper, but it came at a cost as the talented youngster pulled up in the process. Hopefully his injury isn’t too bad as he was a joy to watch. Rok Mordej and Ales Smon took the tally into double figures with 8 minutes still to play.

Algeria still played as if it was 0-0 and they scored a deserved goal in the 39th minute to the delight of the crowd. A breakaway almost ended in despair when the initial shot was saved by the keeper and the rebound hit an attacker and onto the far post. Fortunately for Algeria, they kept the ball in play and Meghzili found space to finish. The crowd went wild, but it was only a small consolation for the Africans who face Albania tomorrow in what will be more of an even contest.

Slovenia have secured passage to the second round with two excellent performances and 16 goals, however, both teams were over 60 places below them and they might not be prepared for the next level when they will most likely meet Bosnia and Herzegovina in the next round.

Futsal Planet Most Valuable Player award went to Damir Pertic. It was hard to call from so many good performances, but his two goals and both of them excellent were well deserving of the award.


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