Courtesy: UEFA.COM

Benfica brilliance stuns Split

Thursday, 18 March 2004

SL Benfica remain on course for a place in the UEFA Futsal Cup final after a rousing victory against MNK Split.


Two in a row

The Portuguese hosts of the Group B second qualifying round mini-tournament have won their first two matches and face a showdown with two-time finalists Action 21 Charleroi on Saturday. The winners of that contest will progress to the two-legged final on 24 April and 1 May.

Captain suspended

Benfica were without suspended captain André, but José Maria who was wearing the armband in his place, proved an able replacement and led by example with the opening goal in the third minute after Chico had struck the post.

Favour returned

The Brazilian-born Chico then made it 2-0 a minute later by rounding Croatian goalkeeper Aljosa Stanicic, after José Maria had returned the compliment with a neat pass. On seven minutes, it was three as Arnaldo forced in a fierce shot from a tight angle.

Delpont injured

Only then did Split, hampered by the absence of forward Alen Delpont with injury, begin to get into the game. Ivan Tomicic and Dean Banic both tried their luck but found Benfica goalkeeper José Carlos equal to their efforts. Normal service was resumed midway through the first half when Chico hit his second of the night, and the best goal of the night, as he finished off a long clearance from José Carlos and a headed assist by Ricardinho.

Split denied

Benfica completed the rout in the second half with José Maria scoring again along with efforts from Lukaian and Ricardinho. Split could not manage a consolation despite the long-range efforts from Robert Jarni and the Croatian champions' hopes of progression were quashed.



Courtesy: UEFA.COM

Charleroi keep final dream going

Thursday, 18 March 2004

Belgian champions Action 21 Charleroi are targeting a UEFA Futsal Cup final place for a third year in a row after a strong performance tonight.

Decisive match

In a close contest, despite the final score, Charleroi kept their nerve to make it a second straight win in this Group B second qualifying round mini-tournament. They now face a decisive match against hosts SL Benfica on Saturday, with the winners making it through to the two-legged final on 24 April and 1 May.

Feller off

Italian title-holders Prato started strongly and tried to catch Benfica unawares with some long-range drives from goalkeeper Alexander Feller. However Feller was then sent off after just two minutes when he handled a chipped shot from Lúcio Rosa, after being caught out of his area following a blocked shot on goal.

Deadlock broken

Feller's replacement, Claudio Fiori, was soon called into action and found himself facing a barrage of shots by Lúcio, Jerry and Andre. However, Charleroi could not be kept at bay for long with Leonardo finally breaking the deadlock in the eighth minute after Prato gave away possession. Eder then made it 2-0 four minutes later by converting a quick counterattack.

Strong finish

There was to be no more scoring in the first half. However Andrè Mauricio Vicentini cut the deficit with a goal in the 21st minute but Prato were unable to build on that boost. Charleroi restored their two-goal advantage through Marcelo's tap-in in the 26th minute.

Scoring completed

Three minutes later, Jerry capitalised on a misunderstanding between Fiori and Franco Bernardi to make it four, and in the 38th minute, Luiz Aranha finished the scoring with a cross-shot from the left side.