Courtesy: Koper 2008 Official Web Site


WUC Futsal - day 4 round up

by Damon Shaw

KAZ 6:4 (2:3) TUR
Turkey suffered two last gasp goals for the second time this week as they were heading for a penalty shootout with Kazakhstan. Turkey took an early tghree goal lead as Kazakhstan seemed to underestimate their opponents. They held on until half time, when it was 3-2, but Kazakhstan, inspired by Dinmukhamed Shakhabayev brought it level shortly into second half. Turkey went ahead once more through Sahan, but Zhamankulov equalized before scoring the two killer goals in the dying seconds.


ISR 3:1 (2:0) KGZ
Second phase of the competition began. First was the game between Israel and Kyrgyzstan. Beginning of the game promised to be very close. And it was. Just in the 15th minute Yoni Tapiero (ISR) scored the first goal in the match. After that Kyrgyzstan attacked opponents goal and tried to push Israel into defense. But unfortunately just before the end of the first half Ruslan Gafurov (KGZ) scored an own goal and after the first half Izrael was leading 2:0.Second half was very similar to the first on. Both teams tried to beat opponents goalkeeper and in 27th minute Yehuda Zisman (ISR) scored the third goal and increased lead to 3:1. Before the match finished Kyrgyzstan played with flying goalkeeper and scored one goal. Game finished 3:1 for Israel.Next game Israel plays against winner of France-Great Britain match and Kyrgyzstan with a loser of that game.


SVK 15:4 (8:3) MAS
Game against Slovakia was the best for Malaysia in this tournament. They managed to create some very good shot opportunities. Beginning of the game was as usual - Slovakia scored three goals in a row. After that Malaysia prepared two good actions and scored first goal in this game. During next ten minutes we could see good game of Slovakia - they scored next 5 goals while Malaysia only 2. First half finished 8:3 for home team. Second half was easier for Slovakia. They easily scored 5 goals in a row and 2 minutes before the end of the game they were leading 15:4. This part of the game was much harder than the first one. That shows e.g. 5 fouls for each team and one yellow card. Game finished with a final result 15:4 for Slovakia.In the next game Slovakia plays against Kazakhstan and Malaysia faces Turkey.


FRA 8:1 (3:1) GBR
Great Britain came up against fierce rivals France in this match to reach the 9-12 qualification places. Great Britain started very well and looked like a new team for the first five minutes. They were confident on the ball and created space for a few early chances. It was cross channel neighbours, however, who look the lead through Farid Ididder after 6 minutes had passed. He completed his hat trick less than three minutes later and Great Britain were up against it once again. France had also hit the post twice as GB pushed their goalkeeper forward looking to break their deadlock. Michael Skubala could have made the first half a different story entirely if he put away two early chances to add to the one that he did put away nicely. The second half saw France improve and finish off the game scoring three in 4 minutes before taking the total up to 8-1 with seconds remaining. France look good for finishing a respectable top 10, while Great Britain have one more chance to improve on 14th acheived two years ago.


UKR 6:2 (2:1) CZE
Game between Ukraine and Czech Republic was very close. Both teams wanted to score since thevery beginning. However tough defense prevented from scoring for both sides. Finally in 6th minute Vaclaw Belada (CZE) scored a goal. After that Ukraine pushed Czech into defense and had many opportunities to shot. In 16th minute Vadim Ivanos (UKR) scored an equalizer. Everything looked like the first half will finish with a draw but a few seconds before the end Sergii Zinchenko (UKR) scored second goal for his team and after first part Ukraine was leading 2:1. Second part of the match was much harder. Both teams created many opportunities to shot but Ukraine was more effective and after Roganov (URK) and Romanov (UKR) goals increased a lead to 4:1. 7 minutes before the end Sorokin (UKR) scored 5th goal for his team and it was almost sure that they will play for 1st-4th places. After that goal Czech Republic played with flying goalkeeper, who was fouled by Silichenko (UKR). This was his second yellow card in this game and he had to leave the pitch. One minute later Chadzidis (CZE) got a red card for a crude foul and Ukraine scored 6th goal. Game finished with a score 6:2 for Ukraine. Next game Ukraine plays against better in the game Slovenia - Uruguay and Czech Republic with a loser of that game.


BRA 0:1 (0:1) POR
Brazil had 99% of the posession but they couldn't break through the Portuguese back line to get the all important equaliser and the three-time world champions went crashing out to their Portuguese speaking friends, but bitter rivals Portugal. Portugal scored the early goal to get in front, which then saw the adoption of a backs to the wall aproach to keep out the samba boys. Portugal soaked up the pressure for the Brazilians, and played to counter attack, but ended up only being able to clear the ball on most occasions, inviting Brazil to recommence their attack. Goalkeeper Kleber was instrumental in dictating Brazil's play and it wasn't a lack of chances that kept them out, it was resolute Portuguese defending. 1-0 up with seconds remaining and Brazil were camped in Portugal's territory, looking for the last chance. It came but a foul by Diogo Santos about 18 metres out left Brazil with 2 seconds remaining and one last shot at goal. Up stepped Tinho who struck a powerful shot at goal, but it deflected out for a kick in on the left hand side. Kleber took the kick and Moura turned it into an empty goal! Brazil had equalised with no time remaining as the buzzer sounded around the hall.
Brazil were jublilant, yet Portugal were protesting and as the referees consulted with the 3rd referee, both teams looking on in suspense... »No goal«, said the Austrian referee. Portugal celebrated and Brazilian hearts had been broken and tempers flaired as they demanded an explanation. Was the goal after the buzzer? No, in fact, Kleber had wrongly taken the kick in, which was in fact Portugal's ball so the goal didn't stand. After watching amateur video for the replays, it turned out that the correct decision had been made, to the despair of Brazilian players and staff. Most of the crowd were supporting the Brazilians for their style of play, and many feel they deserved to go through. But that is what these world championships are about and futsal can be a cruel game, as a few teams have already found out here in Koper. Portugal will now meet Serbia for a place in the final.


SLO 5:3 (3:2) URU
The hosts booked their place in the last four against the odds, just as Poland did in Poznan in 2006. Slovenia had a slightly easier path to get this far but haven't had an easy ride as the Uruguayans, who had already met expectations proved. Uruguay were underdogs against the hosts and Slovenia started well opening the scoring after three minutes to ease the pressure from the 150 onlookers. Uruguay responded well as Ignacio De Leon equalised almost immediately. Marko Hrvatin wasn't going to let the only remaining South American team ruin their party and duly slotted home to restore the lead and with 6 minutes of the game gone, both teams had given an early indication of the closeness between the two teams and this game could go either way. Nacho restored parity on 8 minutes with a good finish from a tight angle, but once again, the goals were flowing like water and Hrvatin bagged his second just minutes later. 3-2 was the score at half time. Slovenia took a hold of the match with their 4th goal and Uruguay had an uphill struggle to overturn this scoreline, though they have come from behind twice already. And they took the game back to within 1 goal with 15 minutes remaining when Nicolas Pirotto rose to header in from 6 metres out. The ball looked to roll along the line before being cleared, but referee Pascal Fritz awarded the goal to the dismay of the Slovenian fans. Slovenia put the final nail in the coffin and it proved too much for Uruguay, who created few chances in the last 10 minutes but bowed of the championship with pride.


SRB 5:0 (3:0) CHN
Game between Serbia and People's Republic of China was very close. Both teams made many opportunities to score, but Serbia was more effective. Just in 3rd minute Stojanowic (SRB) scored his first goal in this game. Few minutes later Fai Yan (CHN) got a yellow card and Serbia scored second goal. After that we could see many opportunities to score. Serbia pushed China into defense. And 6 minutes before the end of this part of the game they scored third score, and this part finished with a final score 3:0. Second part was very similar to the first one. Both teams tried to score on every way. Finally Stojanovic (SRB) scored his second goal in this game, and forth for his team. People's Republic of China decided to play with flying goalkeeper but without success. Just before the end of the match Zeravica (SRB) scored last goal in this game and Serbia won 4:0. Now they will play against Portugal for places 1st - 4th . And People's Republic of China faces Brazil.





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