All reports below are courtesy: FIFA.com


FIFA.com users back Brazil

Sunday 5 October 2008

We asked you to name your favourites for the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2008, currently underway in Brazil – and rarely has a FIFA.com user poll produced such a resounding winner. Users of all four language versions of the official FIFA website voted overwhelmingly in favour of the host nation.

That’s hardly a surprise when you consider the results at the tournament so far. The Seleção have effortlessly won their three matches in Brasilia and top the statistics in every respect. Paulo de Oliveira’s team have scored an average of 13.3 goals per game, have conceded just once in all matches, and boast four of the top five scorers at the event.

50.55 percent of our Spanish users think the side spearheaded by superstar Falcao has what it takes to claim the trophy. The English, German and French speaking fans offered similar levels of backing to the Auriverdes. A surprise second place in our poll went to Iran, placed ahead of reigning world and European champions Spain by our users. A total of 22.45 percent believe Hossein Shams’ men are equipped for glory in Brazil.

Indeed, even Egypt finished ahead of the Spanish. 12.07 percent of worldwide futsal fans plumped for the technically gifted Africans, runners-up to Libya in the most recent continental showdown.

2004 winners Spain and runners-up Italy trailed in at the foot of the results on 9.01 and 6.28 percent respectively. No fewer than 14.48 percent of our users felt another team not on the list we offered could battle their way to glory. Judging by results from the tournament so far, that select group could include Argentina and Ukraine.

The FIFA Futsal World Cup 2008 runs until 19 October, and you can follow all the matches live on FIFA.com. Simply select from our EMIRATES Live MatchCast or FIFA.com Live TV. Edited highlights are also available to view afterwards.




Uruguay pay for inexperience

Monday 6 October 2008

A famous Argentinian boxer was fond of saying that "Experience is a comb life gives you when you're already bald." And while it may not be a perfect analogy for Uruguay's travails at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008, it is not far off either. No one could dispute that the Charrúas, with one of the youngest squads in the competition, gave everything in their opening Group D games against Libya and Czech Republic. Yet all they have to show for it is a solitary point.

"We never envisaged being in this situation. In our opening game we had numerous chances which we failed to take, and Libya then snatched a draw with an incredible late comeback. In our second match, against a team that were better than us on the day, inexperience cost us dearly as we allowed desperation to creep into our play when we shouldn't have," Celeste wide-player Juan Custodio tells FIFA.com.

So that Argentinian boxer was right then? "He might well have been. Unquestionably, we're learning the meaning of the word experience the hard way," says the 22-year-old. "None of the squad have played at a World Cup before, and many of the lads are still playing at U-20 level. As a learning experience, it's very good. What's not good, however, is learning while you're losing games, especially as we don't feel inferior to the Libyans or the Czechs. That's why we're left with a bitter taste in our mouth," the player adds.

For Custodio, Brazil 2008 has shown clearly where his country lies in the futsal hierarchy. "I'd say that today Uruguay are a third-tier side, well short of the top teams but also below the likes of Argentina, although the difference there is less pronounced." So how can the team develop? "Firstly the infrastructure of our domestic league needs to be improved. It's still hard for Uruguayan players to make it overseas, which is where you acquire a whole different type of experience," says the Nacional de Montevideo man.

Fighting on
Looking ahead to his team's final two Group D opponents, Custodio admits, "I'd never seen Iran play before and was surprised with their first-half performance against Spain. They are strong, organised, mark tightly and can hit you very quickly on the break." One encouraging statistic for Uruguay ahead of Tuesday's game is that they won 4-1 in both their previous encounters with Asian teams in this competition: against Malaysia in 1996 and Thailand in 2000.

The Celeste then complete their first-round games on Thursday against the defending champions, about whom Custodio says: "Spain still remain as powerful as ever, with only that first half against Iran coming as a surprise. I expected them to come back strongly, and they did. Now, they're once again playing like the great team that they are."

While Custodio accepts that the odds are stacked against the Celeste extending their stay in Brazil beyond this week, the player insists they are not throwing in the towel just yet. "Having to beat the top two teams in the group is a very tall order, but while we still have games to play, we can all dream of making it to the next round."




Portugal cruise against USA

Portugal thrashed the already eliminated USA 8-1 at the Maracanazinho, and moved a step closer to the next round in the process.

The Iberians found themselves 2-0 up inside the opening three minutes using the same formula, an assist from Arnaldo and a goal from Leitao. They looked completely dominant; pacy, precise and with a real cutting edge.

Although Portugal kept up the pressure, they soon found it tough to create chances and gave the USA a chance to get into the game. However, the Americans could not take their opportunity and the game fell away from them even further when Goncalo fired home just 30 seconds into the second half.

Arnaldo, Jardel, Bibi, Cardinal and Leitao all grabbed goals in the final 20 minutes as Portugal produced a wonderful exhibition of football and there was even time for Leitao to complete his hat-trick. Sandre Namouski's 36th minute goal was scant consolation for the US.

Portugal now meet Thailand in Brasilia on Wednesday hoping to qualify for the second round, while USA head home after suffering four defeats in their four matches played at this year's tournament




Japan undo plucky Cuba

Japan face a battle with Russia on Wednesday to see who will emerge as the second placed team in Group A following the former's 4-1 victory over Cuba.

The Asians almost took the lead as early as the eighth second when Yusuke Inada forced a good save from Wilfredo Carbo. The veteran keeper, the oldest player in the competition, also denied Inada two minutes later as well as Rikarudo Higa and Yusuke Komiyama inside the opening 15 minutes.

Despite Japan's domination, it was Cuba who took the lead against the run of play in the 16th minute; Yampier Rodriguez with an inch-perfect lob over the goalkeeper. The goal rocked Japan who were fortunate not to concede another when Boris Saname's shot rattled the post shortly before half-time.

Carbo again frustrated his opponents with some fine goalkeeping, but was powerless to stop Nobuya Osodo's shot in the 24th minute which crept between his legs. Two minutes later, Japan were in front through Kotaro Inaba and the Japan No11 played a key role in Japan's final two goals.

First Inaba's thunderous effort was spilled by Carbo into the path of Yuki Kanayama, who made it 3-1 and then he turned goalscorer with six minutes remaining when Inada provided the assist.




Villalba fires rampant Paraguay

Paraguay moved into a dead heat with Portugal for second place in Group B of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 with an 8-0 win over Thailand on Monday in Rio.

Rene Villalba was the hero for the South Americans. After opening the scoring in the 5th minute, he added two more goals in the 12th minute (one from the spot) to seal a first-half hat trick.

The Italy-based striker and veteran of the last FIFA futsal finals made it 4-0 just four minutes into the second half, making it plainly obvious that the Thai defence simply had no way of handling the attacking threat he posed. Villalba then turned provider for Paraguay's fifth goal, setting the table for Jara who slammed home in the 27th minute.

Rene's older brother, Walter, sparked another moment of joy for the Villalba family with a goal in the 31st minute before Roman added a pair in the dying moments to seal the 8-0 rout.

Paraguay are now on six points, tied with Portugal for second place in Group B behind Italy.




Russians break records in Brasilia

Records tumbled today at the Gimnasio Nilson Nelson in Brasilia. Russia's 31-2 goal victory over the Solomon Islands is a new record for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, beating Brazil's 29-2 goal thrashing of Guatemala eight years ago. In doing so, it was also the match which provided the most goals in the tournament's history.

Pula, the Russian No7, who grabbed a hat-trick of hat-tricks during the match has also become the record goalscorer in one FIFA Futsal World Cup match. His record came in the 28th of the match to put his side 24-1 up.

Yet, despite all of the Russian goals, the loudest cheers were reserved for Jack Wetney and Micah Lea'alafa who grabbed the two consolation strikes for the Solomon Islands in the 23rd and 28th minutes respectively.

History was made ten minutes later when Nikolay Pereverzev slotted home to break the record. Ironically in a game which saw four players score four goals or more, it was his first and only goal of the match.

A total of 69 per cent of Russia's shots on goal found their way past the Solomons' unfortunate keeper Alick Lioka and they now return to Oceania with no points from their four games, having conceded 69 goals, an average of 17.25 per game.




Fates decided as records fall

Monday 6 October 2008

Russia emerged as the headline-grabbers on Day 7, smashing 31 goals past the Solomon Islands to lay claim to the biggest and highest-scoring victory in the history of the FIFA Futsal World Cup. An enthralling afternoon of action also saw the fate of Cuba decided and Thailand pushed closer to the precipice as Japan and Paraguay emerged triumphant from their do-or-die meetings. Elsewhere, there was more pain inflicted on the already-eliminated USA, who found themselves on the receiving end of another humbling defeat as Portugal boosted their hopes of progressing.

The big game
Russia 31-2 Solomon Islands


History was made in Brasilia as Russia crushed an eight-year-old record to become the FIFA Futsal World Cup's most emphatic victors. Brazil's 29-2 win over the hosts at Guatemala 2000 had stood as an imposing benchmark until today but the Russians were ruthless in their dismantling of a Solomons side who return home having conceded 69 goals in four matches

Pula was the chief beneficiary of the OFC outfit's generosity, plundering nine goals to propel himself straight to the top of the Brazil 2008 scoring charts, two clear of second-placed Falcao. In doing so, the Russia No7 also claimed one of three records broken during a frenetic 40 minutes, chalking up the largest individual goal haul in a match that also witnessed the widest margin of victory and the highest goal tally from a single team.

The other games
Russia may have taken their place in futsal history but their place in the next round still hinges on Wednesday's showdown with Japan after the Asians emerged with a hard-fought 4-1 win over Cuba. Despite falling behind to a superb lobbed opener from Yampier Rodriguez, Japan stepped up a gear in the second half, Kotaro Inaba scoring two and laying on another in a 4-1 win.

Group B has developed along similar lines, with Paraguay now set to do battle for second place against a Portugal side who began the day with a comfortable 8-1 win over USA in which Leitao grabbed a hat-trick. The Paraguayans, for their part, preserved hopes of advancing with a resounding 8-0 victory over a Thailand side left relying on a miracle to make it through.

The player
Rene Villalba (PAR)
On target in his team's first two matches, the Paraguay striker continued his impressive scoring streak with four of his side's seven goals against Thailand. Villalba's coolness in front of goal ultimately proved the undoing of a talented Thai side, who gave as good as they got for large chunks of the match but were ultimately outclassed in the second half. Expect the clinical 27-year-old to be in the thick of the action once again when the South Americans meet Italy in their final group match on Wednesday.

The stat
9 - Pula's goal haul in his team's record-breaking victory over the Solomons saw the Russia No7 carve his own name into the FIFA Futsal World Cup history books. Never before in this competition has a player managed such a tally in a single match, with the 27-year-old's hat-trick of hat-tricks eclipsing the previous record of seven, set by fellow Russian Konstantin Eremenko in a 10-1 win over China in 1992.

What they said
"We are surprised by the Brazilian people - they're all supporting us! They're always pushing our group to the victory, it's very exciting. I also cannot forget to thank the small Japanese supporters group that travels the whole world and are here in the gymnasium with us at the Futsal World Cup," Rikarudo Higa, Japan player.

All the results
Japan 4-1 Cuba
Russia 31-2 Solomon Islands
Thailand 0-8 Paraguay
Portugal 8-1 USA




First round enters final straight

Sunday 5 October 2008

With the first round of matches about to enter the final straight, fans can look forward to the prospect of another enthralling day’s action at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 on Tuesday. FIFA.com previews all the encounters as the attentions shifts to Groups C and D.

Following their win against China PR, a buoyant Egypt will be trying to repeat the feat when they meet Ukraine in the Group C encounter. In the same section Guatemala will be hoping to enhance their chances of a second round berth with a win over China PR. With Spain sitting very comfortably at the top of Group D, Iran and Czech Republic will both be looking for victories in the race for second place.

The big game
Ukraine-Egypt, Tuesday 7 October, 12.30 local time, Brasilia
It is now all-or-nothing time for Egypt, with only a win against the eastern Europeans enough to keep the Pharaohs' dreams of a place in the last eight alive. After narrow defeats to Guatemala and Argentina in their opening games, Egypt finally picked up their first points of the tournament against China PR on Sunday. Following a win and a draw in their first two matches, Ukraine could take a big step in the direction of the second round with a win over the north Africans. Coach Gennadiy Lisenchuk’s team currently occupy second spot in the table and showed impressive form in their games against Guatemala and Argentina.

The other games
The other fixture taking place in Group C sees CONCACAF champions Guatemala take on China PR. With three points to their name already, the Central Americans can keep their second-round aspirations alive with a victory over the Asians, who are yet to pick up a point at this year’s tournament. China’s Brazilian-born coach Farinha will be especially keen to restore wounded pride with the tournament taking place in his homeland.

Asian champions Iran meet Uruguay in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday, when they will be looking to consolidate their hold on second place in Group D. The South Americans, with a solitary point to their name in the tournament so far, are obliged to win to retain any hope of progressing to the next round. Czech Republic, currently lying third and a point adrift of Iran, will be hoping to bounce back from their 4-0 defeat to Spain when they take on Libya. While a win for the north Africans would represent no more than consolation in their last match of the tournament, a victory for Czech Republic would set up an intriguing final game showdown with Iran.

The player
Mohammad Hashemzadeh (IRAN)
With his brace in Iran’s 4-2 victory over Libya, the 31-year-old pivot notched up his very first goals at a FIFA Futsal World Cup. At the event in Chinese Taipei fours year ago, Hashemzadeh failed to get on the scoresheet and had no joy either in Iran’s opening match of Brazil 2008 – a creditable 3-3 draw with Spain. Now that he has found his scoring range, coach Hossein Shams will be hoping he continues in similar fashion against Uruguay.

The stat
20 - After participating in every world cup since 1992, the game against Uruguay will be Iran’s 20th at a FIFA Futsal World Cup. No other Asian nation has chalked up more games at futsal’s premier event.

What they said
“We’re focusing now on the game against Libya. If we win that match it will give us a boost going into the game against Iran, which will decide who goes into the next round.” Roman Mares, Czech Republic player.

All the fixtures
Brasilia
China PR-Guatemala
Ukraine-Egypt

Rio de Janeiro
Czech Republic-Libya
Iran-Uruguay





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