ARGENTINA TANGO’S TO THE FUTSAL TITLE

ARGENTINA - BRAZIL 3 - 2
(Argentina win 3-2 on golden goal rule after both teams were tied 2-2 at the end of regulation time).

Diego Raul Giustozzi (9th) Pablo DE. A Ribeiro (6th)
Carlos Florention Sanchez (14th) Dovenir Domingues Neto (22nd)
Esteban Carlos Gonzalez (41st – Golden Goal)


8 June 2003, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia……. It was the biggest upset of the tournament. Argentina captured the KL World 5s futsal title at the Putra Stadium in Kuala Lumpur tonight.

Argentina shocked their more experienced rivals, Brazil, with the winner – the golden goal – in the 41st minute.

It was their first major futsal title and their first victory over their South American rivals in eleven matches since 1999. The title also saw Argentina grab the US$50,000 winners purse.

For Brazil, who were so formidable throughout this tournament, went into this final not only as favourites but as a team that was made for futsal.

But that was not to be as a highly disciplined Argentine team put up a defensive wall to reduce the Brazilians to long-range attempts.

The free scoring Brazilians, so devastating in the preliminary stage after firing home 42 goals, did find the occasional breakthrough but found Argentine keeper Javier Gaston in inspired form.

And a rare mistake from Brazilian keeper and team captain Lavoisier Martins gifted Argentina with the goal.

Lavoisier’s attempt to clear the ball was charged down by Carlos Gonzalez and to the dismay of the Brazilian bench and most of the fans, the ball looped over the keeper and into an empty net.

And Argentina scored their first win ever over the three-time world champions.








June 8th, 2003
MATCH 21

COMMENTS BY ARGENTINA


Fernando Larranaga – Head Coach

“There are many people to thank for this victory. Everybody has worked so hard, from the team to the fans but if anything, we have to thank Brazil for the win. We have played them so many times over the years and we have learnt so much from them. So much so that we play futsal the Brazilian way. But we also realize that Brazil were without several regulars and as far as I am concerned, Brazil is still the best team in the world. Yes, we won the match today but nothing has changed and we look forward to our next meeting against them. We will always want to play Brazil in the final. We also defended well and this was instrumental in our win as Brazil don’t like to play against defensive sides. The win has given us the confidence and next time, we will try to win again.”

COMMENTS BY BRAZIL


Fernando Ferretti – Head Coach

“We had the better possession of the ball but did not have the goals to show. Argentina won, and that is that. They were the better team today and they have developed tremendously under Fernando (Larranaga) as their coach. Brazil came to this tournament without its best team but I cannot deny the Argentine team credit for winning today. I have been involved in the sport for 20 years and I’m very happy that other teams in South America are growing stronger. As for Brazil, losing today will in no way reduce the pressure the next time we meet Argentina. In Brazil, there is always pressure whether it is in soccer or futsal. And we just have to work much harder.”


About KL World 5s presented by Rakan Muda

The KL World 5s is presented and hosted by Rakan Muda, with the invaluable support of Gold Sponsor Astro, Silver Sponsors Gillette, and Star Sponsors adidas, Milo and Red Bull; and Official Hotel The Shangri-La. Astro and STAR Sports will broadcast over 40 hours of live and delayed broadcast of the action to cater to this growing interest. For ticket information, please visit www.axcess.com.my or call 603 7491 9999.