Courtesy: UEFA.com


Kazakhstan first into futsal U21 finals

Wednesday 9 April 2008

Kazakhstan have become the first team to qualify to join hosts Russia in the inaugural UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament after victory against Hungary in the second day of preliminaries.

Comeback win
Both Kazakhstan and Group 5 hosts Hungary had won their opening games, and when Belarus beat Latvia 3-1, Amirzhan Mukhanov's side knew victory against the home nation in Mor would book their St Petersburg berth with a match to spare. Mikhail Pershin gave Kazakhstan an early lead but Hungary, who had come from behind to win a dramatic match against Latvia yesterday, edged ahead through János Rábl and Péter Frank. But Kazakhstan scored four second-half goals to beat Belarus on Tuesday and showed their prowess again as Alexander Dovgan equalised and Pavel Sharikov took over to ensure a 4-2 success and the one place on offer in December's finals regardless of Friday's result against confirmed fourth-placed finishers Latvia. It will be Kazakhstan's first national-team finals at any level since joining UEFA.

Ukraine or Poland
Six more berths remain to be filled, and one will be taken by either Ukraine or Poland after both recorded second Group 2 triumphs. Ukraine beat Lithuania 6-1, and that took them ahead of Poland on goal difference after the home nation won 4-2 against Romania in Krosno Odrzanskie. Poland will need maximum points in Friday's decider to pip Ukraine to the showpiece.

Netherlands clear
The Netherlands are three points clear in Group 4 after following up the 6-2 defeat of the Republic of Ireland with an 8-2 victory against Azerbaijan – the first four goals from Sofian El-Adel before Roy Huisman, Mohamed Allouch, Amir Molkarai and Mohammed Attaibi added to the tally. Andorra bounced back from losing 4-2 to Azerbaijan to beat competitive futsal debutants Ireland 2-1. But to deny the Dutch a finals berth mini-tournament hosts Andorra must overcome the Netherlands and, unless their winning margin is five goals or more, hope Azerbaijan drop points against Ireland.

Spain make bow
Group 1 kicked off in Slovenia and there was a happy start for the home side as they defeated Georgia 5-1 and Belgium saw off Bulgaria 7-0. On Thursday Belgium play Georgia and Slovenia meet Bulgaria while two of the three outstanding pools commence; in Group 3 hosts Spain take on Greece and Switzerland make their futsal competition bow against Slovakia while Group 7 in F.Y.R. Macedonia kicks off with the home side facing Croatia and the Czech Republic matched with Armenia.





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