Courtesy: Herald Tribune

Spain beats Uruguay 3-0 to win Group D

The Associated Press

October 9, 2008

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil: Midfielder Fernando scored two second-half goals to help Spain defeat Uruguay 3-0 and win Group D at the Futsal World Cup on Thursday.

The two-time defending champion finished with 10 points from four matches. Iran advanced in second place by beating the Czech Republic 3-2. It also finished with 10 points, but had a worse goal difference.

The second stage will be played by eight nations in two groups of four, with the top two advancing to the semifinals. Spain will play against Paraguay, Argentina and Russia in Group F, while Brazil will face Italy, Iran and Ukraine in Group E.

Striker Javi Rodriguez opened the scoring for Spain at the Maracanazinho arena in Rio de Janeiro in the 18th minute, and Fernando added his goals in the 20th and 21st.

Uruguay, already eliminated, finished last in the group.

Iran defeated the Czech Republic at the Nilson Nelson gymnasium in Brasilia with a goal in each half by Ali Hassanzadeh.

Also Thursday, Valeriy Zamyatin scored twice and Ukraine defeated China 4-2 to win Group C. Argentina, a 2-1 winner over Guatemala, advanced in second place.

Spain and Brazil are the only nations to have won the World Cup in futsal, which is played in two 20-minute periods on a surface about the size of a basketball court.






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