All reports below are courtesy: FIFA.com


Libya not giving up yet

Saturday 4 October 2008

Considering this is their first appearance in the FIFA Futsal World Cup finals and the fact that they do not have a national league, Libya have been acquitting themselves remarkably well in Brazil. The north Africans even created a little bit of history in their opening Group D match against Uruguay on Wednesday, pulling off a 3-3 draw to buck a losing trend that has seen every African side before them go down by at least four goals in their tournament debuts.

"We are part of a process that has developed really quickly thanks to the support of the FA," Fathi Alkhoga, their two-goal hero against the Uruguayans, tells FIFA.com. "In fact, we've come on so much that we've won the Arab and African championships in the last two years. I'm sure that our appearance in this World Cup will give futsal a huge push in my country."

It was Alkhoga's late, late header, the culmination of a flowing five-touch move, that secured the Libyans a point against the South Americans.

"We were all very nervous in the build-up but we relaxed more and more as the game went on," explains the 24-year-old. "On a personal note the goal meant a great deal to me and it has given me more confidence. When I scored I took the opportunity to dedicate it to all the people of my country."

Spain hand out a lesson
Libya came back down to earth with a bump in their next outing, losing 3-0 to holders Spain on Friday. Yet even that defeat represented some kind of progress. The two previous times African teams faced off against reigning champions they went down by seven goals or more.

In Alkhoga's opinion, there is a simple reason for the gulf in class. "African futsal is still developing and we are part of that process. We want to learn and we want the rest of the world to think highly of our futsal."

Although the outlook might be positive, Alkhoga was disappointed to have come off second best against the Spanish. "We were missing two of our most important players but, even so, we should have played better. Let's hope we can get back to our best in the next game."

Up next for Libya are Iran and the outcome of that clash will go a long way to deciding their fate. "They are a great team," continues Alkhoga, "but I'm expecting an exciting match because it's the African champions against the Asian champions. Anything can happen."

One thing for sure is that the Libyans are enjoying themselves in Rio. "The people are friendly and we like the food and the music. We feel right at home." For them to extend their stay in Brazil, however, Alkhoga and his team-mates need to pick up points in their forthcoming encounters. And to do that they need to keep on defying the statistics, something the pivot is sure they can achieve. "We learned a lot in losing to Spain and nothing is impossible."



Brazil keep the samba going

Lenisio scored a goal in each half to lead Brazil to a 7-0 victory over Russia in a Group A match at the FIFA Futsal World Cup on Saturday.

The win gave the host country a 3-0 record after rolling to a 12-1 triumph over Japan on Tuesday and 21-0 romp over the Solomon Islands on Thursday. Russia had recorded a 10-5 win over Cuba on Tuesday. Japan played the Solomon Islands in another group match later in the day.

Schumacher gave the Brazilians all the scoring they needed in the third minute, but Russia's Dmitry Prudnikov doubled the lead with an own goal five minutes later.

Lenisio scored his first goal in the 14th minute and Cico made it 4-0 only two minutes later.

The Brazilians continued pressing in the second half as Lenisio struck for his second goal in the 22nd minute. Falcao added another in the 29th minute and Vinicius closed out the scoring in the 32nd minute.

Brazil meets Cuba in its final group encounter on Wednesday, while Russia plays the Solomon Islands on Monday and Japan on Wednesday.




Thailand thrive on timely goals

Thailand broke open a close game by scoring two goals a minute apart to record a 5-3 Group B win over the United States in the FIFA Futsal World Cup on Saturday.

The result kept Thailand in the hunt for the final phase while the US were eliminated at Maracanazhino.

USA had the game's first clear chance, but goalkeeper Surapong Tompa stopped Denison Cabral's penalty kick with his face.

The Thais took control by scoring twice within a short span as Eakapong Suratsawang connected off a counter-attack in the 14th minute and Prasert Innui (after a set piece from a corner kick in the 16th minute.

The Americans closed the gap as Mike Apple found the back of the net just before the halftime whistle in the 20th minute. Apple turned playmaker, setting up Cabral's equalizer two minutes into the second half.

But Thailand again took over the game for good, again with two quick goals, off a counterattack and a set piece, Lertchai Issarasuwipakorn in the 29th minute and Panuwat Janta in the 30th minute.

Sermphan Khmthinkaew gave the Thais a two-goal bulge in the 39th minute before the US's Pat Morris closed out the scoring in the final minute.



Japan heap woe on islanders

Japan picked up their first points of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 on Saturday with a 7-2 win over Solomon Islands in Brasilia.

The lively East Asians were up 3-0 inside 12 minutes thanks to goals from Yuki Kanayama, Kenichiro Kogure and Yusuke Komiyama, setting the stage for the eventual rout to follow. An own goal from Yoshifumi Maeda in the 18th minute saw a glimmer of hope for the Oceania men, compounded by Ron Ginio's goal just a minute later which made it a tight 3-2.

It was a false dawn for the Solomons though, as Kenta Fujii made in it 4-3 in the 23rd minute and a pair of strikes from Nobuya Osodo and one more from Yusuke Inada ended the affair and brought yet another heavy defeat down on the deflated islanders in Brazil.

Japan now move into second place in Group A, tied on three points with Russia and Cuba. The Solomons, despite putting up some brave resistance in their games, are out of contention for a place in the next round.




Rampant Italy eye next round

Italy moved closer to the second group phase of the FIFA Futsal World Cup with a solid 3-1 Group B win over Portugal on Saturday.

Both teams began the match with the same game plan, using quick ball movement and having players rotating trying to find space.

Portugal, led by Ricardinho and Arnaldo, looked better in the early stages. But it was Italy who took control behind the stellar play of goalkeeper Alexandre Feller and the fact that Portugal committed many fouls.

The Italians struck first as defender Grana converted a kick from the second penalty-kick spot, although he missed another one in the last second of the opening half. If a team commits five fouls in futsal, the opposing side receives a free kick with no wall from the second penalty-kick spot.

Both teams had their opportunities in the second half as Italy's Adriano Foglia failed to convert a one-on-one situation with Portugal goalkeeper Joao Bendito and Portugal's Bibi hit the post with a spectacular kick.

Italy added to their lead as Grana and Saad Assis converted free kicks before Ricardinho, regarded as Portugal's best player, brought one back for his side in the closing seconds.




Brazil and Italy cruise

Saturday 4 October 2008

With three wins so far, Brazil and Italy are practically assured of places in the next round at the FIFA Futsal World Cup. The hosts comfortably beat Russia, while Italy defeated Portugal in the day's top game. By contrast, defeats to Thailand and Japan respectively meant elimination for the USA and the Solomon Islands.

The big game
Brazil - Russia 7-0
Scorers: Schumacher (3), Dmitry Prudnikov (8 o.g.), Lenisio (14, 22), Cico (16), Falcao (29), Vinicius (32) for Brazil

In their third Group A fixture, Brazil maintained their imperious form with a 7-0 rout of Russia. The clash between the FIFA Futsal World Cup hosts and the European dark horses was ultimately a one-sided affair as the Selecao turned on the style from the first to the last minute. In a stark contrast to previous tournaments, home advantage appears to have inspired the Brazilians to combine their customary individual brilliance with exceptional efficiency in front of goal. The hosts have scored 40 goals and conceded just one in the tournament so far, striding away at the top of their group on maximum points from three games.

The other games
In Group B, Italy have emulated the Brazilians by winning all three fixtures so far. The Azzurri beat Portugal 3-1 to maintain their perfect start and move to within an ace of the next round. Captain Grana hit a brace on 16 and 32 minutes to pave the way to victory.

By contrast, the Solomon Islands' 7-2 defeat to Japan sealed their early elimination, as it was the Oceania side's third defeat in as many games. The victory means the Japanese, third in Group A on three points, preserve their hopes of making the next stage.

The Solomon Islands' fate is shared by the USA, whose bitter 5-3 defeat to Thailand at the Maracanazinho in Rio de Janeiro was also their third loss in three matches. The US boys refused to go down without a fight, battling back to level at 2-2 after going two down, and reducing the arrears again with the score 4-2. However, the Asians held their nerve to record a first victory at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2008.

The player
Grana (ITA)
The Italy captain struck twice in his side's 3-1 victory over Portugal to cap a fine performance in the strategically vital playmaking role for the Squadra Azzurra.

The stat
1500 – In Japan's 7-3 win over the Solomon Islands, Yusuke Inada netted the 1500th goal in the history of the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

What they said
"It's true that the penalty we missed could've made a difference, just as any early goal would, but I don't think the outcome would have been any different. Thailand won the match because they ruthlessly exploited our defensive lapses. For us to have a realistic chance at a tournament like this, we simply have to improve," Denison Cabral, USA player

All the results
Brazil - Russia 7-0
Japan - Solomon Islands 7-2
Italy - Portugal 3-1
Thailand - USA 5-3




All to play for in two groups

Friday 3 October 2008

Six days into the FIFA Futsal World Cup and the race to secure a second-round place is slowly but surely hotting up. Sunday's intriguing encounters in Groups C and D could go a long way towards deciding matters in both sections. In the two Group C matches taking place in Brasilia, Argentina take on Ukraine, while China PR meet Egypt. An all-European duel in Group D, sees world champions Spain square up to Czech Republic in Rio de Janeiro, while in the same section Egypt's game against China PR is a clash of the reigning African and Asian champions.

The big game
Argentina-Ukraine, Sunday 5 October, 12.30 local time, Brasilia
Whoever emerges victorious from Sunday's clash between Argentina and Ukraine in the Nilson Nelson Arena will have every chance of going on to claim top spot in Group C. Both teams are currently unbeaten in the tournament, though the Albiceleste have contested one game more than the eastern Europeans. Ukraine's impressive 6-2 victory over Guatemala in their opening game augurs well for a lively and tightly-contested encounter which form on the day could decide.

The other games
After a stuttering start to the tournament, Spain's 3-0 win over Libya will have helped to ease nerves. The Iberians, though, cannot help but be concerned about their profligacy in front of goal against the north Africans, and coach Javi Rodriguez will be hoping for an improved performance from his charges when they take on Czech Republic in Rio de Janeiro. The Czechs, who kicked off with a 4-1 victory over Uruguay, will be looking to displace Spain at the top of the table with a win on Sunday.

Libya's game against Iran in the same group sees a clash between the reigning African and Asian champions. While Iran announced their intentions with an impressive opening draw against Spain, Libya have picked up only one point after two games. In their defence, however, the latter's first two opponents, Spain and Uruguay, rank amongst the tournament's top teams. Coach Mato Stankovic knows that only a victory will be good enough for Libya if they want to retain any hope of qualifying for the second round.

Another Asia-Africa duel, this time in Group C, pits China PR against Egypt, with both teams desperate to open their accounts with a first win at the tournament. The north Africans have had little joy so far in Brazil after their last-minute loss to Guatemala was followed by a narrow 4-2 defeat at the hands of Argentina. China PR, who likewise went down to the South Americans (5-0) will be looking not only to pick up their first points but also to score their first goal of the tournament at Sunday's encounter in Brasilia.

The Player
Tomas Meller, Czech Republic
The Czech keeper was in outstanding form in the game against Uruguay, allowing a solitary goal to pass between his posts. Against the reigning world champions, the Czech team will be relying heavily on the Era Pack Chrudim player to thwart Spain's offensive threat.

The stat
18- The number of times Spain have played against European opposition at FIFA Futsal World Cups. A tally of 16 victories, one draw and a single loss, to Italy in 2004, represents an impressive return for the Iberians.

What they said
"Without doubt, Argentina are the strongest team in our group," Gennadiy Lisenchuk, Ukraine coach

All the fixtures
Brasilia
China PR - Egypt
Argentina - Ukraine

Rio de Janeiro
Spain - Czech Republic
Iran - Libya





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