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UEFA.COMHolders stunned by equaliserSaturday, 20 March 2004 Playas de Castellón FS's dreams of lifting the UEFA Futsal Cup for a third consecutive time hit rocky ground today after conceding a late equaliser.
Late dramaThe Spanish side were the winners of the first two editions of this prestigious competition for Europe's top club sides but Georgiy Melnikov's late equaliser has left them needing a win in their final Group A game against Interviú Boomerang FS on Sunday. A draw would send their Spanish rivals through instead as they have six points to Castellón's four.
Dream startInterKrAZ proved tough opposition in Torrejón de Ardoz, employing an organised rearguard display. They were effective going forward and Melnikov gave them a dream start with a goal on the counterattack through Toni's legs in the third minute. Castellón were stunned into action and Edesio was unlucky not to equalise soon afterwards when his shot hit the bar.
Isco on targetThe Spanish team finally restored parity when Edesio threaded a neat ball through to Javi Rodríguez, who scooped the ball in from close range in the eight minute. On 15 minutes, Castellón took the lead with an Edesio free-kick before Isco's neat finish in the final minute of the half ensured a 3-1 half-time lead.
Shevchenko finishHowever, InterKrAZ battled back after the interval with two well-taken goals from Oleh Shust and Oleh Shaytanov in the first five minutes. Serhiy Shevchenko then put the Ukrainian side in dreamland in the 27th minute with a fierce finish. However, the lead lasted barely a minute as Nando Grana caught the defence napping.
Denied victoryCastellón thought they had secured the win when Tatú played a great one-two with Edesio before applying the finishing touch in the 31st minute. However, InterKrAZ refused to lie down and Melnikov's second of the night as the seconds ticked away stunned the holders.
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UEFA.COMHosts eyeing final placeSaturday, 20 March 2004 The Spanish champions need just a point from their final group game after today's emphatic victory against Dutch hopefuls ZVV West Stars.
Pole posiitonBoomerang Interviú FS have six points and are in pole position in the Group A second qualifying round mini-tournament after Playas de Castellón FS's draw in the day's other match at Torrejón de Ardoz. Hosts Boomerang meet Castellón on Sunday in what will be a decisive match to determine who goes through to the final.
Vibrant startThe home side had taken the lead inside a minute after Schumacher scored with a powerful shot. In the fourth minute, Daniel and Schumacher again made it 3-0 after emphatic finishes but there was to be no more scoring until the second half.
Coach dismissedMarquinho's dazziling ball control set up Daniel for his second in the 23rd minute, before the Brazilian himself got in on the act to make it 5-0. Andreu hit the sixth after being left unmarked in the 29th minute. Joan powered his way down the right wing to make it seven two minutes later, sparking an incident that saw West Stars coach Joop Luwig sent off after a dispute with the officials.
Andreu trebleAndreu added another goal for Boomerang in the 33rd minute following a swift counterattack while chances for West Stars remained few and far between. Javi Limones flicked in from close range for the ninth on 37 minutes before victory was sealed when Andreu completed his hat-trick with a confident strike in the dying seconds.
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UEFA.COMInterKrAZ finish on a highSunday, 21 March 2004 Ukrainian title-holders FC InterKrAZ Kyiv ensured they ended their UEFA Futsal Cup campaign on a positive note today.
Not easy InterKrAZ defeated ZVV West Stars to finish third in the Group A second qualifying round mini-tournament. However, it was not all plain sailing as they had to come from behind at the Pabellón Parque Corredor inTorrejón de Ardoz, near Madrid.
Dream startTerence Arnoud gave the Dutch side a dream start with the opening goal after four minutes. They kept the lead for eight minutes before Serhiy Shevchenko equalised. Il'Dar Makayev then put InterKrAZ in front a minute later and a quickfire Oleh Shust double before half-time meant a commanding half-time lead.
Victory completeSerhiy Ghedorniyk made it 5-1 in the 25th minute before Terence pulled another one back with his second of the game. However, Makayev and Oleh Bezuglyy wrapped up a convincing victory with goals in the final six minutes.
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UEFA.COMBoomerang dash Castellón hopesSunday, 21 March 2004 A Javi Limones goal with 25 seconds left on the clock was enough to secure Boomerang Interviú FS a place in the UEFA Futsal Cup final after a mesmerising 2-2 draw with holders Playas de Castellón FS in Madrid today.
Spanish showdownThe all-Spanish affair was the decisive game of the Group A second qualifying round mini-tournament. Hosts Boomerang knew a draw would be enough to take them through to a final against Group B champions SL Benfica while two-time winners Castellón had to win to keep alive their dream of a third title.
Frantic paceIt came as no surprise that the game kicked off at a frantic pace. The reigning champions Castellón were first to get off the mark, Josema, whose initial chip brushed Luis Amado's fingertips, stabbed in at the second attempt for a fifth-minute lead.
Boomerang respondThe goal rattled Boomerang sufficiently for them to mount a series of intense attacks on the hosts' goal. Andreu Linares saw two chances go amiss, when he fired over from close range on ten minutes, then blasted wide two minutes later. As a dramatic first half came to a close, Boomerang continued to press - Marquinho darting forward to smash a low drive that keeper Rafa did well to block with his feet.
Own goalHowever, their efforts paid off when a low Javi Limones free-kick was deflected off Nando Grana and into his own net to level the scores with little more than a minute to go before half-time. But Castellón regained the lead seconds later after a blistering counterattack, Josema sidling past Luis Amado to tap in his second of the match.
Rafa saveThe second half began with the same intensity, principally from Boomerang, who only required a draw from the game. Marquinho opened by letting loose a fierce effort that was turned around the post by Rafa. At the opposite end, Nando Grana broke free but his low centre whistled across the face of goal with none of his team-mates on hand to connect.
Playas pressureWhile the 'Maquina Verde' piled on the pressure, Castellón still looked dangerous and enjoyed the clearest chances. Javi Rodríguez nearly extended the lead, finding his way through Boomerang's defence only to be denied by Amado, then Edesio cleared off the line to save Jesús Candelas' side once again. During the dying minutes, Euler's quickly-taken free-kick brushed the woodwork and Luis Amado was again to the rescue with a superb reflex save to thwart another Playas strike.
Nail-biting finaleThe seconds ticked away in a nail-biting finale - Javi Limones hit the post with an in-direct free-kick as a desperate Boomerang threw every man forward in search of a crucial equaliser. Luis Amado, far from his goal, raced back to pull off another excellent save then rejoined the attack to blast a low strike against the post.
Last-gasp LimonesThe dramatic leveller came with seconds remaining, Javi Limones cutting inside to slot in past Rafa and destroy Castellón's chances of picking up a third consecutive trophy. Interviú meet SL Benfica in a two-legged final on 24 April in Madrid and 1 May in Lisbon.
