Courtesy: UEFA.com


Sporting reach final after breaking Kairat hearts

Friday 29 April 2011

Sporting Clube de Portugal 3-2 Kairat Almaty

Caio Japa scored the winner late on, his second of the game, following a two-goal fightback from the Kazakh hosts.

by Patrick Hart from Baluan Sholak Sport Palace

Sporting Clube de Portugal reached their first UEFA Futsal Cup final after overcoming tournament hosts Kairat Almaty in the first of Friday's semi-finals.

The Portuguese team won with second-half strikes from Divanei and Caio Japa (2) after a tight contest developed into an epic one in Almaty. Orlando Duarte's men survived a brave Kairat comeback from two goals down to better Sporting's best performance of third place in 2002, yet for João Carlos Barbosa's Kazakh champions − who had restored hope with Leo Santana's late double − this was a fourth semi-final defeat.

On a wet day outside the Baluan Sholak Sport Palace, it rained chances inside, with only goalkeeping excellence preserving the first-half stalemate. At one end Kairat's Jeronimo turned Déo's shot over; at the other Almaty captain Kelson − chasing a third UEFA Futsal Cup win with as many clubs − troubled Sporting keeper Cristiano.

The best of Cristiano's work came when Kairat forward Sidnei Silva unleashed an exocet which he tipped clear. Jeronimo, meanwhile, displayed his sharpest instincts as Sporting made the better chances in an otherwise even opening. Alex twice, Déo via a deflection, and Pedro Cary all forced last-gasp saves as Kairat No13's proved unlucky for Sporting.

The raucous home crowd in the 5,000-capacity arena turned up the volume, however, when Kelson fed Felipe, who held off an advancing Cristiano before swivelling and shooting wide. Come the second period, Kairat's Giva instantly stung Cristiano's fingertips from distance; Caio Japa repaid the compliment.

Jeronimo, though, could do nothing when Alex left a free-kick for Divanei to smash in following a foul on Pedro Cary. Giva might have equalised, yet one became two as Caio Japa advanced to curl a shot beyond Jeronimo.

If that was the last sighting of the now injured Kairat keeper, Cristiano continued being called into action by Sidnei and Serik Zhamankulov, while the crossbar denied Kakata's impudent chip and the post frustrated Santana.

For all their deflation, Kairat kept attacking while substitute custodian Vitaliy Khayavin kept the deficit down to 2-0. The arrears were reduced when Santana turned in Dinmukhambet Suleimenov's cross with five minutes left. The Brazilian produced his second masterstroke not longer after, charging upfield before arrowing a shot past Cristiano.

No sooner had parity been restored than home hearts were broken, however: Caio Japa making sure Marcelo Silva's shot crossed the line to send Sporting through.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Duarte delighted by Sporting's little bit extra

Kairat Almaty's brave fightback earned plaudits from both coaches yet the overriding feeling in the Sporting Clube de Portugal camp was that their 3-2 semi-final victory was deserved.

Friday 29 April 2011

Sporting Clube de Portugal coach Orlando Duarte paid tribute to vanquished hosts Kairat Almaty after the Lisbon team's thrilling 3-2 victory in Friday's opening UEFA Futsal Cup semi-final at the Baluan Sholak Sport Palace.

After Sporting snatched the win through Caio Japa's strike four minutes from time, Duarte joined his goalkeeper, man of the match Cristiano, in praising a Kairat side who had battled back from two goals down in front of their supporters. João Carlos Barbosa, the Almaty coach, certainly had cause to regret the last of the five second-half scores, yet for Sporting's Cristiano it sealed a merited victory for the Lions.

Orlando Duarte, Sporting coach
We played against a really strong team tonight. They gave everything and we did too because we want to win this competition. We knew quite a bit about them but it was more important that we played our game rather than worrying about them. We came here in good shape and we showed our quality to take our place in the final. We'll do the same again on Sunday.

It was just what we expected from Kairat, who have some excellent players like Kelson and the goalkeeper Jeronimo. They are well-organised but we had enough to win on the night and we are delighted. At half-time we regrouped and tried to stick to our futsal principles. We want to win our way, whatever the opposition. And while you could say that some of our goals came from mistakes, you have to create situations and mistakes that you can take advantage of.

João Carlos Barbosa, Kairat coach
Congratulations to Sporting who showed a lot of quality out there. We didn't play well first half, but we showed character to get it back to 2-2. However, once we equalised then the team, as can happen, breathed again and that's why we conceded the third. That's what I regret. Yet you have to credit their goalkeeper Cristiano for the saves he made. On Sunday against Benfica we'll have another go. This was the big game for us but unfortunately it's gone and now we focus on the next big match. My players are great professionals and they never lacked the right application out there. In fact they showed great pride.

Cristiano, Sporting goalkeeper
The skipper, João Benedito, and I have a good rivalry for the goalkeeper's shirt – he's world class – so when I play I have to be on my game. Today I think I did well and as a team we achieved what we wanted by reaching the final. You could say it was one of my best performances given what was at stake, a place in a European final. Kairat did well to take advantage of a slight lull in our play, but we didn't drop off and we went and got the third goal immediately. Overall we deserved to win because of the standard of our play, although it was a tough game physically.



Courtesy: UEFA.com


New boys Montesilvano shock holders Benfica

Friday 29 April 2011

SL Benfica 0-3 ASD Città di Montesilvano C/5

Three second-half goals booked the tournament debutants a place in Sunday's final and ended the champions' reign.

by Patrick Hart from Baluan Sholak Sport Palace

ASD Città di Montesilvano C/5 confirmed their status as the surprise package of this UEFA Futsal Cup campaign as the tournament debutants ended the reign of European champions SL Benfica.

Leandro Cuzzolino's goal early in the second half of today's second semi-final gave Fulvio Colini's Italian titleholders a precious lead that they refused to surrender in the face of sustained Benfica pressure. Cristian Borruto and goalkeeper Stefano Mammarella confirmed the 3-0 victory late on as Paulo Fernandes's men were denied an all-Portuguese final against Sporting Clube de Portugal.

Joel Queirós, who had scored in triumph against Interviú Madrid in last season's showpiece, threatened more of the same on Benfica's return to the UEFA Futsal Cup finals spotlight. One effort whistled just over the crossbar, another arced narrowly wide, before Montesilvano keeper Mammarella pushed a third shot behind for a corner.

Although Borruto caused a moment's distress in the holders' defence, playing the ball across goal, no lurking team-mate could take advantage. The sting in the tail of a physical first half came when Joel had the opportunity to break the deadlock from a ten-metre penalty after Montesilvano's sixth foul. Yet, with Mammarella rushing off his line, he drove wide. Benfica might have had further cause for regret had Fabricio Calderolli not missed from close range following Cleyton Baptistella's cross.

Montesilvano began the second period on the front foot, too: Rogerio Da Silva raced upfield to release captain Marcio Forte, whose attempt was kept out by Vítor Hugo. Rogerio was then the brains behind Cuzzolino's opening goal, his back-heel taking out two Benfica defenders and enabling Cuzzolino to rifle in unimpeded.

The game continued to have an edge and several players entered the referee's notebook. Diece made a more positive contribution for the Eagles with a shot that ruffled the side netting, and the same player, from a free-kick, teed up Joel for an effort that Mammarella touched wide. The keeper's feet also came to the rescue from Gonçalo as Benfica chased an equaliser.

However, there would be no saving Benfica once Montesilvano doubled their advantage on the break. Borruto finished the job after Ricardo Caputo stole possession from the outgoing champions. The wound was further salted when Mammarella scored with an audacious lob over Sol, who had taken the place of custodian Hugo.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Colini: Montesilvano earned their luck

Friday 29 April 2011

ASD Città di Montesilvano C/5 coach Fulvio Colini said his team had gone out to beat holders SL Benfica after the Italian new boys left Paulo Fernandes's frustrated side on the canvas.

by Patrick Hart from Almaty

ASD Città di Montesilvano C/5 coach Fulvio Colini admitted that the Italian club had to sweat for the 3-0 victory over SL Benfica that took the competition debutants into the UEFA Futsal Cup final at the first attempt.

Montesilvano combined dogged defending with clinical finishing to end Benfica's 12-month reign as European champions at the Baluan Shokan Sport Palace in Almaty. However, having seen his side succumb to second-half strikes from Leandro Cuzzolino, Cristian Borruto and goalkeeper Stefano Mammarella, Benfica coach Paulo Fernandes could only bemoan the Lisbon team's misfortune in front of goal.

Fulvio Colini, Montesilvano coach>
It was a difficult match and we had to suffer for long periods. A couple of times in the first half we had chances, but then we also had to resist strong Benfica pressure. In the second half things ran for us. We had to stop a team that has played together for a long time, just as we had to beat [MFK Sinara] Ekaterinburg in Russia to qualify, so today we definitely came to win. Yes Benfica were holders, but we are a good team. And while it has been difficult for us in the Italian league this season [Montesilvano are fourth in Serie A], we've produced our best in the Futsal Cup.

When games are so intense like this one, things can be difficult, but we tried to play professionally and I don't think we went overboard. When the game is over you still shake hands with your opposite number. Now we will look again at our tactics and see how we will play against Sporting, who are another great team. We will review our performance and see how the players look. Every new game brings new challenges.

Paulo Fernandes, Benfica coach
Firstly, congratulations to Montesilvano and also to Benfica for the fight and hard work we showed. However, we are sad and frustrated not to have achieved our goal of reaching the final and winning the title again. We feel sorry for the fans in particular. We could have been here all night and not scored. I think we will make up for this setback during the rest of the season.

We had enough chances and it wasn't for want of trying that we couldn't get a goal. We are a team that scores goals, but for one reason or another we couldn't do that today. You also have to credit Montesilvano for stopping us. The fact UEFA made their goalkeeper man of the match tells you a lot. We will now try our best on Sunday to leave the competition on a high note. We are a very experienced team and we will do better against Kairat. The season doesn't end here as we still have trophies to play for. Today was just not our day – we hit the post six times.

Stefano Mammarella, Montesilvano goalkeeper
I put the ball in my shirt after scoring because my wife is pregnant and I dedicate my goal, and performance, to her. But I have told the coach that I only score in big games, having also got an important goal in the Italian championship. Benfica are a great team and to get past any side in a semi-final is a huge achievement. It wasn't easy but we will now play to win the final.


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