CLASSY BRAZIL SCORES EASY WIN OVER HOLLAND TO TOP GROUP

KUALA LUMPUR (1 Feb 2008) – Even at half pace, Brazil was just too classy for Holland as the former world champions score an easy 2-0 win over Holland to top their Group B of the KL World 5s here at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur.
The Brazilians are the only team to score a perfect record in the tournament this year with four wins out of four and where they will now play Australia in the semi-finals of the championship tomorrow afternoon.
“We have two players who are injured and two others carrying a yellow card each, so we have to be careful in the match against Holland tonight,” said Paulo Cesar de Oliveira, the head coach of Brazil.
“The game plan was for the players not to pick up further injuries or cards and so we had to slow the game down and control the level which we want to play. The win has allowed us to better prepare for the game against Australia tomorrow.”
Lacking their usual fluidity in going forward, the Brazilians allowed Holland more space to get into the attack but again the reliable hands of custodian Marinho Tiago was there to deny Holland the goal they were searching for.
But having to play without the influence of Antoine Merlino, who was injured, was always going to be difficult and despite their numerous chances just could not stop Brazil from going forward when William Morais capitalised on a quick counter-attack in the 13th minute for the first goal.
A minute later, the Brazilians were 2-0 up when Lenisio Junior displayed an intrinsic piece of individual skill to score.
The lead did little to change the pace for Brazil and this seem to frustrate Holland even more as they head into the second half.
With two goals in front, Brazil were not in any hurry to change the score line as they stick to the same game plan as they had in the opening half of the game all the way to the finish.
“I knew that Brazil will slow the game down because of the number of injuries. But in spite of that, I’m happy that we managed to play these games against Brazil, Thailand and Iran,” said Vic Hermans, the head coach of Holland.
“We are preparing this team for the World Cup qualifiers. The players did well today and they created some good chances. The aim now would be to win tomorrow and play in the match on Sunday.”




THAILAND DENIES IRAN FOR A PLACE IN THE SEMI-FINALS

KUALA LUMPUR (1 Feb 2008) – Thailand beat Iran for the first time in their history to make the semi-finals of the KL World 5s where they will face Argentina tomorrow at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur.
The win for Thailand completes the semi-finals fixtures of the KL World 5s with Brazil taking on Australia in the other match-ups while for Iran; they have to play in the lower plate semi-finals.

“It was a fantastic game but I must say that we were a little worried when Keattiyot (Chalaemkhet) was sent-off,” said Thailand head coach Pattaya Piemkum after the match.

“But having said that, we have to realised that he has worked very hard in the earlier matches and that it is too bad that we will not have him tomorrow (when we play Argentina). Now, we only have nine players left and it will be a difficult match ahead.”
Following from their win over China in the morning, the Iranians started the game confidently this evening and pressed Thailand hard from the very first whistle.

And who better to slot home the first goal for Iran than the mercurial Vahid Shamsaee in the13th minute before Thailand found the equaliser five minutes later off striker Anucha Munjarern.

All square at the break, Thailand slammed home the lead a minute after the restart off Ekapong Suratsawang to inject a sense of anxiety in the Iranian camp for the first time in the game.

In the 36th minute, Keattiyot was ejected from the match after picking up his second yellow card and the ensuing free kick allowed Mohammad Hashemzadeh to tap in the equaliser.

But with seconds remaining on the clock, captain Panuwat Janta converted a penalty to give Thailand their first ever win over the Asian champions and forced Iran to look at the lower plate semi-finals for salvation tomorrow.

“I was disappointed with the outcome of the match tonight,” quipped Hossein Shams, the head coach of Iran.

In the plate semi-finals, Iran will play Indonesia while hosts Malaysia will take on Holland.


RESULTS (1 Feb, 2008)
10am: Iran vs China (6-1)
3pm: Malaysia vs England (6-2)
5pm: Australia vs Argentina (3-3)
7pm: Brazil vs Holland (2-0)
9pm: Thailand vs Iran (3-2)

FIXTURES (2 Feb, 2008)

12pm: Malaysia vs Holland
2pm: Iran vs Indonesia

Semifinals
5pm: Argentina vs Thailand
7pm: Brazil vs Australia






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