Futsal Planet

Croatia vs Libya

OFFICIAL MATCH REPORT

by James Stringer from Tripoli

The time had come, the stage had been set, the coaches submitted their final team sheets and there was nothing more that they could do. All the training and preparation in the world couldn’t have prepared them for the epic battle that unfolded before our eyes. Libya and Croatia took to the stage to play out what was a truly amazing final. Special guests were in abundance as the teams took to the pitch.

Both teams started with their strongest four as Croatia kicked off to a chorus of whistles from the predominately Libyan crowd and had the first shot of the game when Mohamed Rahoma hit a shot that the keeper tipped around the post. Croatia had an early chance as well with Marinovic hitting it straight at Alsharif. Croatia had a shot blocked, which allowed Libya to break forward Rahoma the man firing wide of the target.

Suton was the next Croatian to test Alsharif but he was able to save the shot with ease. Novak demonstrated his skill as he teased the Libyan defence before unleashing a shot that Alsharif tipped around the post. He had a similar chance after that but he blazed it over the bar.

Libya were happy to sit back and catch Croatia on the counter attack and Bader almost did just that, but he fired wide. Croatia started to really pile on the pressure, forcing saves out of Alsharif as the keeper stood firm and made some top quality saves.

Croatia continued to exert themselves on the match and had the majority of possession which forced Libya to take the first time out of the game. Libya got a free kick out on the right and the ball was eventually fired into the box only for Croatia to clear it away from danger. Bogdanovic got the ball out wide and fired a shot that literally could have gone anywhere; it eventually went out for kick in. Croatia were holding onto the ball really well and restricting Libya to shooting from distance or from almost impossible angles.

Croatia scored in unfortunate circumstances for Libya, Hamdi Ismail Elshwain seemed to slip and Marinovic was there to run into space and smash a shot into the top corner to give Croatia the lead. Croatia started to sit back after the goal, allowing Libya to come forward and have some much needed possession but couldn’t break down the Croatians as they called for a time out for Mato Stankovic to issue instructions to his players.

Mohamed Suleiman hammered a shot towards the far corner from distance but the keeper was equal to it. A break from Croatia has Marinovic one on one with Alsharif and it has to be said the keeper made a great save against the tricky pivot. He had another chance moments later but lashed at it a bit and put it wide whilst under pressure.

The second half began with Libya determined to get themselves back into the game and they had a great chance when Suleiman was played through on goal but the Croatian defenders got back in time. Libya then formed a great move down the left hand side and the cross come shot hit the post and Croatia started to look hurried in possession. A cross-field pass gives an opportunity for Hamdi Ismail Elshwain to have a shot went just wide.

It wasn’t long before Libya got themselves back into the match, after hitting the post moments before it was Basher Hasan Bader who got into the box and his shot goes through Ivo Jukic and trickles across the line. Croatia try to restore the lead almost immediately and it takes a great save from Alsharif to deny Croatia a certain goal. A water bottle was thrown onto the pitch that halted play, a time out from the crowd when Croatia were looking to attack.

A misplaced pass from Croatia let Libya break with pace and Rabie had the chance to put Libya into the lead only to see his low shot saved and deflected clear for a kick in. He again had a chance from a similar position that was blazed over the bar, the noise from the crowd is deafening when Croatia have prolonged periods of possession.
Mohamed Rahoma had a great chance to put Libya ahead when his shot goes under keeper but Jukic Ivo keeps it out somehow to keep the game all square. Novak broke down the right for Croatia moments later, he twisted left, turned right but Alsharif managed to get something on the end of it and cleared it.

Marinovic had a teasing shot that Alsharif had to make sure of and from the resulting corner Croatia Novak hammered it over the bar from the left hand side. A good last minute spell from Libya ended with the ball at Rabie‘s feet, he had a shot but it hit the post and went wide as the buzzer signaled an end of full time, two 5 minute halves of extra time were called into action as the game had ended with a draw.

Extra time beckoned and it was Croatia who kicked off to the whistles of the Libyan crowd. Libya had the first chance with a ball down the line finding Rabie but he was well marshaled and had his shot deflected for a corner. Bogdanovic got booked for a rash challenge on Mohamed Rahoma as Libya were awarded a 10m penalty. Sami Abdussalam stepped up to take it and Jukic saved it, Croatia broke but Libya had managed to get back and cover well.

Marinovic had a shot that was saved by the legs of Alsharif and some neat play by Elshwain set up Bader to blaze a shot over the bar. Libya really were pressing Croatia back and Rahoma had a shot that looked destined for the net only for the outstretched leg of Jukic to deny him at the far post. Libya played out the last few moments of the first half of extra time as both sides welcomed a break.

Bogdanovic had a chance that was saved by the legs of Alsharif and from the corner the ball was played to Marinovic only for him to smash the ball over the bar. Bader had a great chance after a mix up in the Croatian defence allowed him to have a shot but it was just wide of the far post. It looked like a foul on Marinovic but it wasn’t given and Rabie ran clear down the right, he forced a corner on the left hand side for his efforts.

Bogdanovic was then booked for Croatia for complaining to the referee, he had a point as there appeared to be a host of unfair challenges on the Croatian players to all go unnoticed as the next foul would have resulted in a 10 metre penalty, a small bit of controversy in the match. Elshwain missed a great chance to score but fired wide of the target.

Libya started to enjoy some possession that led to a shot that was saved by Jukic. They then tore open the Croatian defence and missed a golden chance to win the game in extra time. Bader had the ball in the box as Libya had broken strongly and with the keeper committed he set up Hamdi Ismail Elshwain with the goal at his mercy only for the Libyan to fire over the bar from less than 6 metres out.
Bader hit a shot that went through Novak’s legs and saved by the keeper, a great reaction save by Jukic as the match went to penalties.

In the shootout Jukic Ivo was the man of the moment, saving every penalty Libya took as Croatia won the first ever Mediterranean Futsal Cup. Elshwain might be left to regret that late chance for Libya but watched on as Croatia lifted the trophy.

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