Courtesy: Colombia Reports


Colombia wins AMF Futsal World Cup

Saturday, 26 March 2011

by Jonathan Roorda

Colombia has won the AMF Futsal World Cup for the second time after beating defending champions Paraguay 8-2 in Saturday's final.

Host country Colombia dominated from the start in Bogota, and opened the scoring after exactly two minutes of play when Jhon Pinilla beat the opposing goalkeeper with a powerful effort into the roof of the goal.

Camilo Gomez doubled the advantage five minutes later, scoring from close range after a low assist from Pinilla.

Paraguay were busier protesting and arguing than trying to cut back the deficit, allowing Colombia to make it 3-0 through William Estupiñan in the 12th minute.

The Paraguayans did pull one back seconds later, but Colombia restored the three-point gap in the 19th minute as a subtle effort from Pinilla set the score to 4-1.

The first part of the second half wasn't as eventful, as Colombia calmly defended their now comfortable lead.

But handling from a Paraguayan defender had a penalty as result in the tenth minute, and although Jorge Cuervo had his spot kick saved by goalkeeper Meza, he did find the target on the second rebound.

And a minute later, Pinilla scored his third of the night after receiving the ball from Cuervo, leaving the match all but decided.

Paraguay made it 6-2 minutes later, but never actually went on to threaten Colombia's lead. In fact, Cuervo made it 7-2 with just over three minutes left to go.

And in the final minutes, Estupiñan scored his second from outside the penalty area for an 8-2 final score.

This is Colombia's second AMF World Title after winning the tournament before in 2000. Paraguay had won the two editions between then and this year's tournament.

To reach the final of this year's World Cup, Colombia advanced from a group with Belarus, Ecuador and New Zealand, before beating Venezuela in the quarter finals and Argentina in the semi's.

Earlier on Saturday, Argentina beat Russia to secure third place.


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