Courtesy: UEFA.com


Netherlands among U21 futsal winners

Tuesday 8 April 2008

There were 41 goals in six games on the opening day of qualifying for the inaugural UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament, including a creditable display by the Republic of Ireland in their first competitive fixture at any level in the sport.

Netherlands prevail
Ireland are competing in Group 4, which like all seven pools will supply one team to December's finals in Russia. They opened the mini-tournament in Andorra against the Netherlands, an experienced futsal nation, and the Dutch led 2-0 at the break through Najib El Allouchi and Sofian El Adel. Dane Massey pulled one back but Mohamed Attaibi, El Adel and Mohamed Allouch increased the Netherlands' lead, and although Massey struck again, El Attaibi completed a 6-2 win. Ireland coach Derek O'Neill said: "There were some very positive aspects. It was our first game at competitive level and we can take consolation from the fact that we controlled much of the play."

Poland top
In the other match in the group, Azerbaijan beat Andorra 4-2 to set up a potential decider against the Netherlands on Wednesday. Meanwhile, over in Group 2 two nations who played in the last senior European finals met and Ukraine defeated Romania 4-1. Mini-tournament hosts Poland beat Lithuania 7-3 and will take on Romania tomorrow.

Drama in Hungary
Hungary, who host the next UEFA European Futsal Championship finals, are staging Group 5 and edged a thriller against Latvia 4-3. János Rábl gave Hungary and early lead but Vladimirs Terens and Igors Avanesovs turned the game before Rábl levelled just prior to the break. Konsztantinsz Zabarovszkis restored Latvia's advantage but with five minutes left Zoltán Dróth equalised and 19 second from the end struck a dramatic winner. Hungary's next opponents, Kazakhstan, overcame Belarus 4-1 while on Wednesday another pool starts as Belgium play Bulgaria and hosts Slovenia face Georgia in Group 1.





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