Courtesy: UEFA.com

Moscow drama defies logic

Monday, 2 May 2005

By Paul Saffer in Moscow

At least three times the 2004/05 UEFA Futsal Cup final seemed won, only for the losing team to suddenly burst back into life. When it was at last over, you wanted it to keep going, though grateful to leave the emotional roller coaster of cliché that perfectly sums up the occasion.

Giving their all
The first leg in Belgium, when Action 21 Charleroi raced into a 4-1 half-time lead against MFK Dinamo Mosvka only to be pegged back to 4-3, was breathless enough. But from the moment where prolific Dinamo striker Sergei Ivanov gave his team the away-goals edge in the second minute of the return, it was clear that both teams were willing to give their all, and then pop back to the well when the reserves seemed drained.

Dramatic encounter
"The match had everything," exclaimed Dinamo president Konstantin Eremenko, who as a player was involved in a more than a few dramatic encounters himself. Midway through the 40 minutes Charleroi were 2-1 up on the day and 6-4 overall, but then with eight minutes left Olexiy Kudlay added to Joan's goal and Dinamo led on away goals. Immediately, Charleroi captain Alex edged his side back in front, but barely 120 seconds from the end Ivanov showed his usual poise in front of goal, and extra time, which seemed improbable not long before, resulted.

Heartbreaking twist
Five minutes each way, and five goals. First for Charleroi through Henrique, but immediately Joan struck for Dinamo and just before the turnaround Sirilo put the Russian champions ahead on aggregate for the only time in the tie. The home celebrations got louder, but were cut off with only two minutes remaining as Kelson and Eder gave the final its last, heartbreaking twist.

Sweet victory
For Charleroi, victory was even sweeter coming as it did after their defeats in the first two finals of this competition to Spain's Playas de Castellón FS in 2002 and 2003. Perhaps the manner in which they ousted holders Boomerang Interviú FS in the second qualifying round with a last-gasp goal should have given some clue to their ability to fight to the whistle, but this time they had to play the decisive moments away from their fervent home support.

Alex example
Captain Alex led by example, not only with his two first-half goals and his incisive pass that allowed Kelson to edge Charleroi back ahead in extra time as the minutes ran out. Even in a game which switched back and forth, and the visitors' young inspiration Robinho was ordered from the bench, Alex kept his head, and his nerve.

Bitter blow
It was a bitter blow for Dinamo, though, who under the presidency of the ambitious Eremenko have built a team around Ivanov and talented Brazilians Joan, Pelé and Sirilo have a team that had already wrapped up another Russian championship. However, to see how they can recover from coming so close to taking Moscow's first ever UEFA club trophy will be a test of their mental strength as well as their considerable skill.

Ivanov excellence
Still, it is inconceivable that they will not challenge Charleroi and the eventual Spanish champions again next year, and in Ivanov, the tournament's top scorer with 14 goals including his two on Saturday, they have a home-grown player of poise. The Russian international may have been on the losing team this year in the final of both this competition and the UEFA European Futsal Championship, but no player from this continent has made as much of an impact this season.


Courtesy: UEFA.com

Ivanov takes individual plaudits

Saturday, 30 April 2005

Sergei Ivanov may have been on the losing side in the UEFA Futsal Cup final, but the MFK Dinamo Moskva striker ended the tournament's leading scorer with 14 goals.

Dinamo top three
Ivanov's two strikes in the second leg of the decider with Action 21 Charleroi kept him clear of club-mate Joan, who also managed a couple of goals. Cirilo, who struck one in Moscow, finished third to complete an all-Dinamo top three.

Alex double
Charleroi captain Alex also scored twice to sneak into the top ten with a tally of eight, overtaking the man who was previously the Belgian champions' leading striker in this year's competition, Lúcio Rosa.

Goals - Player (Club)
14 - Sergei Ivanov (MFK Dinamo Moskva)
12 - Joan (MFK Dinamo Moskva)
11 - Cirilo (MFK Dinamo Moskva)
10 - Andreu (Boomerang Interviú FS)
09 - Paulo Roberto (El Pozo Murcia FS)
08 - Kike (El Pozo Murcia FS)
08 - Israel (Sporting Clube de Portugal)
08 - Ani Mullaj (SK Tirana)
08 - Lenisio (El Pozo Murcia FS)
08 - Pelé Junior (MFK Dinamo Moskva)
08 - Alex (Charleroi Action 21)