Courtesy: FIFA.com


Rampant Brazil cruise to victory
Brazil thrilled their own fans and overwhelmed Japan en route to a 12-1 victory in their FIFA Futsal World Cup curtain-raiser. Lenisio, Falcao, Ari and Schumacher scored twice apiece, and Marquinho, Wilde, Betao and Cico were also on the scoresheet for the tournament hosts.

Both sides had shots on targets in a frenetic opening couple of minutes, before quick-fire goals from Lenisio and Marquinho put the Seleção two goals up. Falcao amplified their lead from the penalty spot, before Nobuya Osodo pulled one back for Japan on the quarter-hour mark.

It proved the prelude to a Brazilian onslaught. Although they did not increase their advantage before the first period was out, they ran riot in the second, scoring nine times without reply.

The supporters' enthusiasm made for a carnival atmosphere at the Gimnasio Nilson Nelson, and aside from the goals, Paulo de Oliveira's charges entertained them with their customary plethora of flicks and tricks. Moreover, Brazil firmly underlined their title credentials.



Cuba rule in island duel
The Solomon Islands - the youngest team at these futsal finals in Brazil - looked to be on their way to a special day when Elliot Ragomo opened the scoring inside the first minute. Unfortunately for the Oceania men, their early joy only acted to aggravate the Cubans.

Yulier Olivera, Carlos Madrigal, Olivera, Boris Saname and Eduardo Morales all scored for the Cubans to make it 5-1 at the interval. In the 27th minute, the Solomons' defeat was fairly well complete, with Morales scoring two more goals and and Johnnet Martinez adding one of his own.

Morales went on to add another before Mesa made it 1-0 for the men from CONCACAF. In the dying moments, Ragomo added a bit of scant consolation with his second goal of the match for the outgunned Solomon Islands



Italy claim narrow win
Italy were made to work hard for the three points they gained over a resolute Thailand side in the opening match of Group B at the Maracanazinho in Rio de Janeiro today.

Despite taking the initiative by alternating lively strikers Sandro Zanetti and Adriano Foglia up front, the Azzurri found it difficult to turn the possession they had into chances, being frustrated time and time again by a tight Thai defence and some excellent goalkeeping from Surapong Tompa.

Indeed, the East Asians had the first real chance of the game, hitting the post following a counterattack.

The only goal of the game came five minutes before half-time, Grana keeping his cool to dispatch the ball into the net. However, Thailand responded well and Prasert Innui had three wonderful chances to equalize in the first half, but squandered them all.

The pick of these came from the penalty spot, which he cannoned off the post.

The second half saw Panomkorn Saisorn sent off for two yellow cards as Italy hung on for victory.



Paraguay hand US a lesson
The USA came out looking to take the game to Paraguay in Rio. But after Matthew Stewart hit the woodwork early on, the rhythm of the game settled squarely with the South Americans.

José Luis Santander scored first and Fabio Alcaraz added a second before Robson Fernández made it 3-0 with the last kick of the first half. The Paraguayans then went on to kill off the game early in the second period with a goal from Carlos Chilavert and another Rene Villalba, who set up the fourth, to make it 5-0.

The result was an impressive one for the Paraguayans, even if it came against an obviously outgunned USA who were never quite up for the test.




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