Courtesy: Daily News


Zim five-a-side down Sudan

by Alwyn Mabehla

Monday, 09 April 2012

HARARE - Zimbabwe's national five-a-side team dismissed visiting Sudan 5-2 in an entertaining World Cup qualifier match yesterday.

The hosts, who will clash with neighbours South Africa in the next round of the qualifiers, could have bagged more goals had it not been for the heroics of the Sudanese goalkeeper Mohamed Ahmed.

Zimbabwe scored three quick first half goals through hat-trick hero Terrence Tambala before James Madora and Wellington Kamudyariwa sealed the tie late in the second half.

The visitors, who only arrived in the country on Saturday, got their goals from Mergani Talal and Walled Mahmoud.

Tambala, who had a good afternoon, opened the scoring in the fifth minute before grabbing his second of the afternoon in the ninth minute.

Sudan looked threatening whenever the lanky Mahmoud was in possession but they could not find a way through Zimbabwe’s solid defence.

Tambala got his third on the stroke of half-time when he got to the end of a pin-point pass from the stylish Madora.

In the second half, the Sudanese chose a cautious approach, depending more on counter attacks and almost got a goal early in the 28th minute through substitute Osman Osman, who watched in disbelief as his stinging shot came off the right-post with Zimbabwe goalkeeper Bhekimpilo Dlamini well beaten.

The visitors, however, reduced the arrears with Talal firing in from close range after some deft foot work from Yasin Jbor but Zimbabwe surged further ahead in the 30th minute through a clever chip from Madora.

The lanky Mahmoud scored the Sudanese second goal before Kamudyariwa completed the rout in the 32nd minute.

Zimbabwe coach Frank Farakezi praised his youthful side.

“I’m thrilled with the way the boys imposed themselves. We were playing against a Sudanese side that was comfortable with defending. We are now looking forward to the next match against South Africa,” said Farakezi.

His Sudanese counterpart, Mohamed Salil, said: “Zimbabwe are a good side, so I’m obviously disappointed to lose but this was our first time to play this format of the game so I couldn’t ask for more from the boys. They lost to a technically good side. Otherwise congratulations to Zimbabwe.”




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