Courtesy: UEFA.com


Boomerang keep Intercontinental crown

Monday, 10 April 2006

UEFA Futsal Cup finalists Boomerang Interviú have retained their Intercontinental Futsal Cup title after defeating Malwee/Jaraguá 1-0 in the climax to a four-day tournament in the Brazilian town of Brusque. Neto proved the decisive figure for the Spanish champions, scoring the winning goal in a tense final that was in stark contrast to the teams' previously free-scoring form.

Marquinho hat-trick
Boomerang opened their group campaign with a resounding 8-0 win against Predator FC of Japan. The result was never in doubt after the defending champions went three up within six minutes, with goals from Schumacher, Daniel and Marquinho, who went on to complete his hat-trick. Next they faced Brazilian side Carlos Barbosa for a place in the final. The sides traded goals throughout, with Andrey bringing the Brazilian side level at 3-3 with four minutes to play. However, there was still time for Boomerang to nick it, as late strikes from Schumacher and Gabriel sent the Spanish side through.

Tense final
Meanwhile, Malwee eased through their group with two comfortable wins: 10-1 against ServCorp FC of the United States then 5-0 against Paraguayan side Universidad Autonoma de Asunción. The final pitted the champions of Brazil against the champions of Spain for the second year running, and proved a tight affair, just as last season when Boomerang won 4-2. The tension was evident as six yellow cards were shown in the first half alone - four to Boomerang, two to Malwee.

Neto winner
Five minutes after the break Boomerang were in front through Neto, who fizzed a left-foot shot into the Malwee net. The Brazilian side responded by throwing everybody forward, even handing the goalkeeper's gloves to striker Falcão. However, his efforts proved in vain as Boomerang held on.

'Great credit'
"The best thing was to overcome the circumstances and having avoided falling for provocation," said Boomerang coach Jesús Candelas. "The team was exceptionally well-behaved; they have ve done themselves great credit in difficult conditions." The victory will boost Boomerang's confidence ahead of the UEFA Futsal Cup final against MFK Dinamo Moskva, with their home first leg on 29 April and the return eight days later. Boomerang are bidding to reclaim the crown they won in 2003/04, before relinquishing it to Action 21 Charleroi last season.




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