Courtesy: Di-ve.com

Futsal national team reach semi-finals in Sicily

by di-ve.com

Monday, 30 April, 2007

Malta's group stage commitments in the "Torneo del Mediterraneo" came to an end with another positive result and performance on Sunday. In what was hailed as the best and most entertaining match of the tournament so far, the Maltese faced top Serie C1 side Ficarazzi 2000. The Italians were clear favourites, having won both their previous encounters convincingly.

A very tight and tactical first half saw both teams failing to score, despite a number of good opportunities. Both sides stepped up their game in the second half.

Ficarazzi took the lead with a textbook counter-attacking strike. The Maltese reacted well, equalising within seconds, Paul Bugeja beating the Italian keeper with a well-taken right-footed shot. The following minutes saw Ficarazzi threaten to score on a number of occasions.

However, an impressive Bjorn Vassallo in goal had other ideas as he frustrated Malta's opponents with a number of extraordinary saves, earning the Maltese a valuable point which ensured qualification to the semi-finals.

Group stage results
Malta vs Polivalente Universal Misterbianco 5 - 1
Malta vs Rapresentativa Emilia Romagna 3 - 3
Malta vs Ficarazzi 2000 1 - 1

Semi-finals will be played on Monday, 30 April at 7.30pm.




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