Courtesy: Herald Tribune


Italy draws Iran to reach semifinals

The Associated Press

October 14, 2008

BRASILIA, Brazil: Midfielder Edgar Bertoni scored a last-minute goal to help Italy draw Iran 5-5 and reach the semifinals of the Futsal World Cup on Tuesday.

Both nations finished with four points from three matches in Group E, but the Italians advanced on goal difference. Brazil, a 5-3 winner over Ukraine, was first in the group with nine points.

Italy will face two-time defending champion Spain, while Brazil will play Russia, which advanced from Group F with a 2-2 draw against Argentina.

Bertoni's equalizer at Nilson Nelson gymnasium in Brasilia came in the 39th minute.

Italy moved into the lead with a pair of goals by defender Grana less than 10 minutes into the match, but Iran recovered to equalize with Masoud Daneshvar in the 10th and Ebrahim Masoudi in the 12th.

Patrick Nora gave Italy the lead again in the 13th, but Mohammad Hashemzaded scored in the 26th and Ali Hassanzadeh in the 28th to put Iran in front. Fabiano netted for Italy in the 30th and Daneshvar again for Iran in the 35th before Bertoni's late equalizer.

Italy, playing with a roster full of Brazilian-born players, was runner-up to Spain in the last World Cup and European championship.

The Spaniards secured first place in Group F with a 4-1 victory over Paraguay after three second-half goals by midfielder Fernando. Spain to finish with nine points, five more than Russia. Argentina, which needed to beat the Russians in Rio de Janeiro to advance, ended with two points in third place.

Three-time champion Brazil, which had already secured first place, beat Ukraine thanks to three first-half goals by FIFA Player of the Year Falcao at Maracanazinho arena in Rio.

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