Courtesy: UEFA.com

Early efforts earn Boomerang win

Saturday, 24 April 2004

By Paul Saffer at the Pabellón Parque Corredor

Interviú Boomerang FS picked up a healthy lead from the first leg of the UEFA Futsal Cup final but a late SL Benfica goal gave the visitors hope for the return match in seven days' time.

Superb goalkeeping

The goalkeeping of Luis Amado proved the difference for the Spanish champions, who are favourites to keep up their nation's monopoly of this title following Playas de Castellón FS triumphs in 2002 and 2003, but Arnaldo scored in the final 60 seconds to deservedly reduce arrears.

Noisy crowd

Both sides began the final with full-strength lineups, with Boomerang supported by a noisy, young crowd but Benfica weighing in with a travelling support that never stopped singing. However, the visitors had to withstand an opening barrage, and with four minutes of playing time gone were 3-0 down.

Boomerang ahead

Marquinho had already gone close 40 seconds in when he put his side ahead in the second minute. His run down the left was thrilling and his shot from a tight angle flew in with deadly accuracy.

Lead doubles

Almost immediately it was two. The Boomerang fans were still celebrating the first goal when Brazilian playmaker Schumacher broke from the middle with a fine run, and produced a strong shot deflected in by team-mate Daniel.

Daniel scores again

Zé Carlos in the Benfica goal was beaten there but soon after he made a vital stop and Orol shot over from the rebound. But just after, Boomerang custodian Luis Amado had proved his formidable reputation with a save of his own, Daniel broke and shot past Zé Carlos to extend the lead to the three goals the home team had hinted had been their target to take to Lisbon in seven days time.

Luis Amado in form

Benfica, though, rallied after this triple setback. However, Luis Amado was in no mood to be beaten, producing a string of saves.
Lukaian and Ricardinho were among the players denied, as they led the attack with verve and no little skill. Boomerang were defending as a team, though, and the presence of Schumacher meant they were always dangerous on the counterattack and preserved their 3-0 lead to the break.

Skill shines through

The pattern of Benfica initiative continued in the early part of the second half, the skill of the Portuguese forwards especially Ricardinho, coming to the fore. Inevitable, it took just a minute for Luis Amado to produce another fine piece of goalkeeping to frustrate Pedro Costa 'Costinha'.

Crossbar hit

Six minutes into the half came a moment that had the home fans' hearts in their mouths, as Luis Amado could only parry in the area and Ricardinho seemed certain to tap in only for the ball to rebound off the crossbar.

Joan denied

Zé Carlos then showed that Luis Amado did not have the monopoly of goalkeeping skill in the game, after Joan's shot seemed to have deflected out of his reach only for the goalkeeper to somehow tip the ball wide. Three minutes later he dived at Schumacher's feet to again prevent a fourth goal.

Pivotal moment

Boomerang were now looking strong, and Zé Carlos was again alert to deny Julio. They then finally increased their lead, after what may prove the pivotal moment of the tie.

Fourth goal

Ricardinho again received the ball less than a metre from the home goal, but from a tight angle he could only strike the post. Luis Amado cleared quickly, and the ball broke to Andreu who made no mistake. Arnaldo, though, finally broke through at the end to add intruigue to the return.


Courtesy: UEFA.com

Candelas urges caution

Saturday, 24 April 2004

By Paul Saffer in Torrejón de Ardoz

A 4-1 lead going into the second leg of the UEFA Futsal Cup final is far from enough to guarantee the trophy - so says Boomerang Interviú FS coach Jesús Candelas.

Crucial advantage

His team have a crucial advantage ahead of their trip to Portuguese champions SL Benfica in seven days time, but the Spanish title-holders' team chief admitted to uefa.com: "I don't know whether the lead is enough for when we play the return leg but I hope we show the same determination as we have here today and try to be the better team."

'Competitive match'

Three goals in the first four minutes gave Boomerang and advantage they never lost, and even extended in the second half before Arnaldo's late strike, which was no more than Benfica deserved for an attacking display throughout the game. Candelas said: "It was a very competitive match. Benfica surprised us with their physical strength."

Key men

What was not surprising, though, was the form of Boomerang's Schumacher and Luis Amado. Brazilian Schumacher was a thrilling mix of towering defender and skilful playmaker. His talent led to the second goal, seconds after the first, dribbling through the Benfica defence before his shot was turned in by Daniel.

'Good advantage'

Daniel then went on to add his second and Boomerang's third, and said: "We are particularly happy with the result. Four-one is a good advantage bearing in mind Benfica could have put more goals past us."

Praise for Benfica

The reason they did not is due to Boomerang's goalkeeper. Luis Amado pulled off a string of saves to continually deny Benfica, only beaten in the final seconds. However, he was generous to his opponents after the game, telling uefa.com: "Benfica have proved they are a great team, very quick and dangerous on the counterattack, which surprised us because here in Spain the game is not geared towards quick breaks."

Coach happy with team

Benfica coach Alípio Matos was full of praise for his team, believing that their play deserved more than a solitary goal. "In an atmosphere like this, we proved we were a great team," he said. "I think the result here is not fair. But Boomerang are a very, very good team - their defence made the difference."

Still hope

But the tie is still not over, and at the Pavilhão da Luz there will be plenty of fans willing Benfica on. "Next week we want to win the game in front of our supporters," said Matos. "We want to play a good quality of Futsal and put on a good show."

Fans' support

Indeed, those fans proved their worth to the visitors, singing throughout, not letting up even during Boomerang's superb start. Matos declared: "The supporters of Benfica are the best in the world. They supported the team from start to finish. I think it is beautiful to watch."