Courtesy: www.uefa.com

Split march on with perfect record

MNK Split qualified in fine style for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Futsal Cup.

Fans celebrating
The Croatian contenders, who have taken part in all three editions of the competition, were quickly into their stride winning 9-0 in the opening game of Group 2. Split were hosting the mini-tournament, played on a round-robin basis, and made sure their fans had plenty to cheer.

Jarni double
Former Real Madrid CF footballer Robert Jarni has recently switched to Futsal and he started the ball rolling with two goals inside the first six minutes against Golden Futsal Team of Finland. Split captain Alen Delpont and Ivica Osibov then weighed in with hat-tricks to confirm an emphatic victory.

Tense encounter
The second match was between FC Dorozhnik Minsk of Belarus and Romanian side AS Odorheiu Secuiesc, who had needed to come through a preliminary-round tie to take part. Dorozhnik were forced to wait to make the breakthrough with goals just before the interval from Viktar Ivaniutsin and Sergei Kouznetsov. However, Lorand Szocs pulled one back four minutes after the restart setting up a tense finish. Ivaniutsin restored the two-goal advantage for Dorozhnik two minutes from time and the Belarussian side held on for a 3-1 victory.

Perfect record
Dorozhnik followed that success with a rousing 8-2 triumph against Golden, although neither side found the net in the first half. It was a different story in the second period with Ivaniutsin adding another three goals. Split also maintained their perfect record against Odorheiu, cruising to a 5-1 success that included an Osibov treble.

Gonçalves hat-trick
Before the top two could meet in the decisive final group match, Golden and Odorheiu played out a thrilling 3-3 contest that gave each their first point. Portuguese star Fernando Gonçalves scored a hat-trick for Golden but Odorheiu refused to lie down and Dezsö Hompoth scored a late equaliser.

Split through
So to the decider and Split against Dorozhnik. That man Jarni put the hosts on their way with a second-minute strike and Osibov quickly made it two, although the Belarussian contenders pulled one back through Varonin before Kouznetsov equalised on half-time. Yet Split were rampant in the second half and a Delpont double helped ensure a 5-2 victory and first place.