Courtesy: Canadian Press


Futsal World Cup: Host Brazil remains unbeaten, hammers Russia 7-0

BRASILIA, Brazil — Striker Lenisio scored a goal in each half Saturday to help host Brazil defeat Russia 7-0 and remain undefeated at the Futsal World Cup.

It was Brazil's third straight victory, keeping it at the top of Group A with nine points, three more than second-place Japan, which beat Solomon Islands 7-2. Russia and Cuba, which did not play Saturday, have three points each.

A victory against Cuba on Wednesday in the team's final group match will guarantee Brazil advances to the next round. The top two teams in each of the four groups advance.

Also Saturday, the United States fell 5-3 to Thailand in Rio de Janeiro, losing its third straight match and getting knocked out of the tournament. The U.S. will play its final match against Portugal on Tuesday.

The Portuguese lost 3-1 to group leader Italy, the runner-up in the last World Cup. The Italian squad is entirely composed of Brazilian-born players.

Two-time defending champion Spain leads Group D. Its next match is Monday against the Czech Republic in Rio de Janeiro.

Futsal is played in two 20-minute periods on a surface about the size of a basketball court.

Brazil and Spain are the only countries to have won the futsal World Cup in the five tournaments played since 1989.





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