Courtesy: Koper 2008 Official Web Site


WUC Futsal - day 1 round up

by Damon Shaw

URU 6:5 TUR
Uruguay claimed a dramatic victory at Turkey's expense in the opening match of the World University Championship. Uruguay looked in control of the game after taking an early two goal lead through Pirotto and Tommasino. Pirotto broke away from a Turkey attack and finished a clinical one on one with Gokgetin in the Turkey goal. Uruguay went 2-0 up through a 6 metre penalty scored by the goalkeeper. Uruguay found themselves 3-2 down at half time and even further behind after the restart. Turkey looked strong and seemed likely the take the victory, despite having a man sent off. Turkey were leading 5-4 with six minutes on the clock, but constant Uruguay pressure paid off in the dying seconds as De Leon equalized with 30 seconds remaining and Nicolas Pirotto headed in the winner with 5 seconds left on the clock.
An amazing finale to the end to end match and neither team deserved to lose, but Uruguay sure feel good for the win.


POR 2:4 UKR
Ukraine looked solid as they defeated Orlando Duarte's Portugal, but it took two lucky goals to see off the Portuguese. 0-0 at half time showed that both teams will be challenging for honours, and it wasn't until the 27th minute that the deadlock was broken and it came when Portugal were down to four players. Ukraine camped in Portugal's half trying to take advantage of the extra player, and despite holding out well, Portugal conceded after 50 seconds of the power play. Portugal, who had created chances earlier were right back in it as Joao Goncalves poked one through the legs of the Ukraine keeper from a tight angle. Once again Ukraine found the net to take control of the match, but Portugal hit back immediately with a carbon copy of their first goal from the same player. A draw looked likely, and would have been a fair result, but Ukraine kept pressing and managed to keep Portugal at bay. Two lucky goals, one a deflected clearance from the goalkeeper that landed in the path of Roman Vakhula who dived to connect with his head to wrap the game up for Ukraine, who looked very much a side who could be champions come Sunday.


BRA 7:2 CZE
A repeat of the 2006 quarter final was always on the cards and it was almost an exact replica. Brazil's first goal came from goalkeeper Kleber, who was allowed to walk into the Czech half and fire a rasping shot goalwards. Paulo doubled the lead within seconds and Brazil had control of the game. Paulo was happy to get the first game out the way, "I'm so happy to win, we were training for 22 days and in the first game it is so important in the championship [to get off to a good start]" he scored Brazil's second goal of the game which gave them the early comfort zone. Czech Republic tried hard to draw level, but Brazil were just too strong and at 3-1 they kept possession just how the Brazilians know best. Czech frustration was inevitable and it was this that led to openings for Brazil to extend their lead.
Czech's second goal only came as a result of fair play. Brazil scored their 6th while a Czech player was down injured and Brazil allowed Chadzidis to pass the ball into an empty net to the applause of the crowd. It finished 7-2 as Czech Republic all but fell apart to allow Brazil to walk in their final goal of the day.


SLO 5:0 GBR
Slovenia kicked off their campaign against Great Britain with a display of basic futsal that tore apart the defence of their opponents with ease. Four similar goals, all coming from a free man slotting home, and a well worked free kick, albeit with the same outcome - a tap in at the back post - were the difference between Slovenia and GBR. Rok Mordej scored the first and last of the goals at the far post and Sebastien Drobne then wrapped the game up with a run to the back post where he received it and slotted home from the set play.
Marko Hrvatin and Aljaz Laharner bagged the other two goals. Great Britain have a lot of work to do to stop leaking the goals, but more importantly they never looked like scoring, so a clean sheet would only have ended up with a 0-0 scoreline. Slovenia have their victory in less than inspiring fashion, but can build on this and hopefully improve over the course of the week to have a real shot at the title.





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