Courtesy: UEFA.com


Yerevan late show in London

Sunday, 11 September 2005

Tal Grig Yerevan needed a Emil Mesropyan goal three seconds from time to keep them on track for qualification from the four-team UEFA Futsal Cup preliminary round mini-tournament.

Amazing finish
The Armenian champions' successful spot-kick ensured a last-gasp 5-4 victory against Dinamo Tirana of Albania in London today. Yerevan had led 2-1 at half-time after two goals from Arman Sahakyan but Tirana staged a determined second-half display. Ani Mullaj looked to have earned them a draw with 39 seconds remaining before that dramatic winner.

Second victory
It means Yerevan top the table with six points, having already beaten Roubaix Futsal of France on the opening day, and they will feel confident of taking one of the two places on offer in the first qualifying round. They now play mini-tournament hosts London White Bear FC on Tuesday night, who will fancy their chances of progress after a first-ever victory for an English side in UEFA Futsal competition.

Bounced back
London had begun with a slender 2-1 defeat by Tirana but bounced back today to see off Roubaix with a convincing 6-0 victory, featuring three goals in each half and two for Alexandr Topalo, to delight home fans at the Crystal Palace national sports centre. The heavy defeat ends Roubaix’s hopes of a top-two finish but they will aim to finish on a high when they take on Tirana in Tuesday’s first game.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com