All reports below are courtesy: FIFA.com


Solomon Islands in Brazil to learn

Wednesday 1 October 2008

The Solomon Islands’ maiden FIFA Futsal World Cup appearance ended in a sobering 10-2 defeat to CONCACAF representatives Cuba on Tuesday – and to rub salt into the wound, coach Victor Wai'ia’s side now face hosts Brazil in their second match on Thursday. It goes without saying that the Oceania lads are the underdogs, but that does not mean they have given up hope even before kick-off.

The youngest team at the tournament, with an average age of just 18 years and six months, have travelled far too far, both literally and metaphorically, simply to run up the white flag now in the teeth of apparently invincible opponents. "It was a very long journey to get here. We were travelling for almost 40 hours, but the lads are ready for the next challenge,” Wai'ia exclusively told FIFA.com.

Gaining experience
Wai'ia’s squad features the 12 youngest players at the tournament, but he has great faith in his youthful charges. "It’s true we have a young team, with very little experience at the international level. But I still believe working with such young kids is an advantage, because they’re carefree and eager to learn,” the coach argued.

Just qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup in the first place came as a surprise, the affable Solomon Islands supremo stated. "We’ve only had futsal since 2002. We started with a U-16 league, before introducing a senior league just two months ago. No-one expected us to win Oceania qualifying and come here to Brazil, but my young players proved clever and strong."

Realism prevails
The team thus arrived in football-obsessed Brazil with realistic expectations. The main aim is to gain experience and perhaps pull off a minor upset along the way, according to coach Wai'ia: "Our group opponents are all very experienced. Our players are here to learn on the world stage. That’ll help us develop futsal back home. If we happen to win a match, it would be a massive bonus."

That bonus win appears a remote prospect against the Brazilians, as the record books hardly favour the Solomon Islanders. Ahead of the current FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil, the host nation were responsible for four of the five biggest margins of victory over tournament newcomers: 29-2 against Guatemala (2000), 18-0 against Cuba (1996), 15-1 against Costa Rica (1992) and 12-1 against Kazakhstan (2000). Coach Wai'ia and his squad will do everything in their power to avoid inclusion in that less-than-flattering list.



First shock on second day

Wednesday 1 October 2008

The second day of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 saw the tournament's first shock in the form of Iran's 3-3 draw with favourites Spain. Argentina pulled off an easy win over China, while Guatemala also emerged victorious over Egypt. Libya, producing an exciting fightback, roared back to earn a point in a 3-3 draw with Uruguay.

The big game
Spain 3-3 Iran
Goals: Iran - Mohammad Taheri 4, Vahid Shamsaee 12, Ali Hassanzadeh 12; Spain - Torras 22, 36, Borja 30

The Maracanazinho arena in Rio saw the first shock of these finals as Iran claimed a share of the spoils in an all-action 3-3 draw with Spain, winners of the last two FIFA Futsal World Cups. The Asian champions allowed Spain to dictate the pattern, control possession and pressure high up the floor, while opting for a counter-attacking style. The home crowd went wild when Mohammad Taheri and Ali Hassanzadeh combined to open the scoring for the Iranians - and the buzz continued when they extended their lead to 3-0. However, after a brave comeback, Spain spoiled the party through Torras, who scored from close range with just four minutes to go earn a nervy point for the European champions.

The other games
In Group C, Egypt - despite a warm reception by the Brazilian fans in Rio and an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Hema - were unable to keep up with 2000 hosts Guatemala. A late goal from Erick Acevedo earned the CONCACAF side only their second win at a FIFA futsal finals, their first having come on home soil in 2000 against Kazakhstan.

The other game in the section saw Argentina hand China - still winless at a futsal finals - a 5-0 drubbing thanks to three goals from Marcelo Gimenez. In the other game from Group D, Libya hauled themselves back from a 1-3 deficit to earn a point against heavily-fancied Uruguay. The equaliser came from a stunning diving header from Fahti Alkhoga in the final minute of the contest.

The player
Marcelo Gimenez (ARG)
The Argentinian poacher supreme wasted no time in setting the stage for the Albicelestes' 5-0 rout of China in Brasilia. The battling, long-haired No10 opened the scoring in the sixth minute and then added a second just one minute later, cracking a shot from eight yards out. He kept up his impressive form on 17 minutes when he sealed his first half hat-trick. Martin Amas and Sebastian Corazza added two more in the second half to seal the resounding scoreline.

The stat
17 - The number of FIFA Futsal World Cup games Iran played before finally drawing 3-3 with Spain in their 18th on Wednesday. The Persians had previously won eight of their games and lost nine.

What they said
"We were really surprised at how warmly the Brazilian fans greeted us today. They got behind us from the start and really supported us," Iranian midfielder Ali Hassanzadeh, responding to questions about the supporters' response during their 3-3 draw with Spain in Rio.




Guatemala's late show
A last-gasp goal from Erick Acevedo gave Guatemala a 1-0 win over Egypt in Group C. The central Americans were good value for their win at the Gimnasia Nilson Nelson, despite many neutrals in the noisy hall backing their African rivals.

Jose Gonzales and goalkeeper Carlos Merida both had early chances for Guatemala, but fired wide of the target. Egypt responded well, with Ahmed Hussein hitting the post, although that proved to be their only highlight of the first half.

Hema in the Egypt goal had to be alert to deny Acevedo and company on no fewer than three occasions, although he was relieved to see Jannick Ramirez's shot rebound off the post and away to safety.

Egypt began the second half brightly and saw shots from Bougy and Hussein well saved by Merida and with a minute to go, Abou El Komsan hit the post. They were left to rue that miss when Acevedo pounced to break Egyptian hearts.



Gimenez treble spurs Argentina

Argentina opened their FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 campaign with a 5-0 win over China PR in Brasilia. A first-period hat-trick from Marcelo Gimenez put the Albiceleste firmly in command, before Martin Amas and Sebastian Corazza put the seal on a convincing victory.

Argentina swiftly assumed the ascendancy, but they found Chinese goalkeeper Tao Zheng in impressive form. He made three early saves, the pick of them to deny Esteban Gonzalez the opener on five minutes.

Zheng was, however, powerless to prevent Gimenez breaking the deadlock soon afterwards, and the No10 quickly doubled his side's advantage following a corner.

Gimenez made it 3-0 before the break, and Amas scored in the 30th minute to put the game effectively out of China's reach. The Asians did respond by bringing on an extra outfield player in place of their keeper, but their reward was to concede a fifth goal courtesy of Corazza's delightful lob.




Libya make their point

A last-gasp equalizer from Fathi Alkhoga gave Libya a point in their match with Uruguay in Group D of Brazil 2008 at the Maracanazinho. The goal came as a sickening blow to the South Americans who dominated the match, but ultimately paid the price for missing too many chances.

This was a match played at a quick tempo, with both sides looking to break forward at every opportunity, but whereas the Libyans enjoyed the lion's share of possession, it was Uruguay who always looked the more likely to score. Indeed, the reason why the game was not out of reach for Libya in the first half was due to some excellent goalkeeping from Mohamed Al Sharif.

He was helpless to stop Juan Custodio's early goal and when Daniel Laurino made it 2-0 shortly after half-time, things looked bad. However, they stayed in the hunt through Rabie Abdel, but when Diego Garrido made it 3-1 with just nine minutes remaining; it looked like the points were heading to Uruguay.

However, the Libyans never gave up and when Alkhoga headed home in the final seconds, it capped a remarkable fightback.




Stirring comeback saves Spain

Holders Spain came from three goals behind to snatch a share of the spoils from a thrilling encounter with Iran at Maracanazhino.

The Asian champions had looked on course for a famous victory after establishing a seemingly comfortable advantage, but the Spanish are never to be written off and they stormed back in style to delight an enthralled crowd.

The contrast in style was evident from the outset, with Spain's tactical mastery pitted against an Iranian team packed full of quick, skilful players adept at striking on the counter-attack. The first evidence of the Asians' intentions came when they claimed an early lead, Ali Hassanzadeh providing an intelligent assist for Mohammad Taheri to open the scoring.

Spain's coach Venancio Lopez reacted by shuffling his pack, moving Javi Rodríguez, Marcelo and Alvaro into advanced roles, but it was to prove - initially at least - to no avail. Iran remained deadly on the counter and, before Spain knew what had hit them, two classic sucker-punches from Taheri and Vahid Shamsaee had left them three down and on the canvas.

The Europeans bounced back up to show the mettle of true champions, however, with another shrewd Lopez switch paying dividends. Torras provided renewed hope from short range and Borja increased expectations with a low shot that the excellent Iran goalkeeper could'nt keep out.

The stage was set, and no-one was unduly surprised when Torras popped up to fire home the equaliser with four minutes remaining. Spain, in fact, could even have gone on to seal victory but will surely be content with having rescued a draw from the jaws of defeat.





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