Futsal Planet

Slovenia vs Bosnia & Herzegovina

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by Damon Shaw from Tripoli

Slovenia progressed into the semi finals of the 1st Mediterranean Futsal Cup with a professional win over Balkan rivals Bosnia and Herzegovina. Two goals before half time and four in the second half saw off the Bosnian challenge and it was another accomplished performance, both in attack and defence from one of the best teams in the tournament.

Slovenia were patient in waiting for their chances and the opening goal came courtesy of an unstoppable free kick from one of the stars of the tournament, Kristjan Cujec in the eighth minute. He had already hit the outside of the post from 12 metres earlier and with this one half that distance out, you had to fancy him to hit the back of the net. He duly dispatched a rocket into the top right corner in off the cross bar.

Bosnia and Herzegovina had struggled to make an impact on the game up to this point and the goal was just rewards for Slovenia’s play.

The new slide tackle rule came into play and affected the course of the next play. At one end a superb slide tackle allowed Bosnia and Herzegovina to break and as Crnalic was through on goal and looking certain to score up popped Rok Mordej with a perfectly timed tackle to deny the Bosnians their goal. Slovenia’s defence had only conceded two goals in the group stage, the leanest defence in the tournament, and Mordej kept that record intact.

The game heated up in the next moments as several fouls went unpunished by the officials in succession, resulting in both sides protesting. When the referees finally gave a free kick, the Bosnian players were outraged and Novoselac was given his marching orders for his over the top protests. Slovenia now had a two minute man advantage to extend their lead. Damir Pertic came closest, as Kristjan Cujec was orchestrating play. Cujec fired a low drive at the far post but Pertic was too slow to react to turn in what would have been a certain goal. He redeemed himself shortly after from a similar situation, this time taking a touch and scoring past the goalkeeper.

For Bosnia to come back from 2-0 down against a team who have only conceded two in three games was a tall order and when Rok Mordej scored the third, Bosnian hopes were dwindling. Mordej beat his man on the right wing before shooting high and into the top right corner beyond the helpless Omerbegovic.

Slovenia were cruising and only a miracle comeback would see Bosnia into the semi finals and they did get one to give them a small glimmer of hope. Haris Harba, who was so influential for Bosnia and Herzegovina in their opening day win over Malta scored from the right and Bosnia were back in it with 14 minutes on the clock.

Rok Mordej, who has been outstanding in today’s game, and Futsal Planet’s MVP scored himself a deserved second goal almost as good as his first. From the edge of the area he turned and shot high in off the cross bar and Slovenia were all but in the semi finals and they weren’t finished yet. A brace from Sebastijan Drobne including a cheeky back heel that found its way in at the far post condemned Bosnia to a heavy defeat in the quarter finals.

Slovenia once again showed that they are a force to be reckoned with and nobody will look forward to playing them. They will now face Morocco or neighbours Croatia in the semi final.

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