Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Netherlands vs. United States

20 Oct 2011

Netherlands take on the United States in the first 9th-16th play-off game at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix.

The two sides meet at the Ginasio Principal do SESI, with the game scheduled to start at 19:00 BST.

Defeats to Guatemala and Brasil meant Holland failed to secure a place in the semi-finals of the 2011 Grand Prix de Futsal.

The Dutch were beaten 5-2 by Brazil on Tuesday in a game in which they were largely inferior, and that defeat came after they had suffered a 4-1 defeat against Guatemala, undoing the good work from their win over Angola in their first Group A game.

But Thursday's game represents a good chance for Netherlands to record a win as they take on a USA side who have struggled throughout the group stages.

Defeats to Iran, Uruguay and Belgium in Group C left the Americans bottom of their table on zero points, and a -18 goal difference.

In three games, the United States scored just seven goals, conceding 25 in the process. It's hard to see their tournament record being anything other than 0-4 when this one is over.

Prediction: Netherlands to win.


Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Belgium vs Angola

Belgium face Angola in the third 9th-16th play-off game at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix in Brazil.

The game takes place at the Ginasio Principal do SESI, with Belgium vs. Angola kicking off at 23:00 BST.

Belgium only won one of their three group games in Group C, that being a 10-7 victory over the United States on Tuesday.

The Europeans narrow missed the chance to finish second and qualify for the quarter-finals as Uruguay had a slightly better goal difference.

Belgium take on an Angola side who took just one point from their group.

A hammering against Brazil contributed to their poor goal difference (-13) and they have scored just five goals in their three group games.

While Belgium have only won once, scoring goals hasn't been an issue, as they found the net 14 times in the group stages. But they've struggled defensively, conceding 13.

Angola have a good chance to win here but they'll have to be on top form. This could be a close game.

Prediction: Belgium to win.




Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Russia vs Czech Republic

Russia face Czech Republic in Thursday's third quarter-final at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix in Brazil.

Kick-off at the Amadeu Teixeira Arena is scheduled for 23:00 BST, with Russia likely to go off as the huge favourites to advance to the semi-finals.

Russia confirmed its place in the quarter-finals of the 7th Futsal Grand Prix with a 5-2 win over Costa Rica on Tuesday.

The result left the Russians with nine points as they finished top of Group B, scoring an impressive 21 goals in the group stages and conceding just five.

Following Tuesday's win, Pula, the Brazilian-born Russian who finished as top scorer at the last Grand Prix, was happy with the team's performance ahead of the knockout stages.

"We missed many goals in the first half, but improved in the second, and we marked better too," he said.

"We got three wins, now we have to rest and think of the semifinal."

In their way ahead of the final four are the Czech Republic, who secured their last eight place by beating Hungary 5-2 on Tuesday. That result saw them finish 2nd in Group D on seven points.

Perhaps worringly, the Czech's only managed 11 goals in their three games, conceding seven. Against a Russian side who have been scoring goals for fun, they may struggle to advance to the semis.

Prediction: Russia to win.



Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Iran vs Guatemala

Iran take on Guatemala in the second quarter-final of the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix in Brazil.

The game takes place at the Amadeu Teixeira Arena, with kick-off scheduled for 21:00 BST.

Iran reached the quarter-finals of the 7th Futsal Grand Prix by finishing top of Group C, winning all three of their group games.

Their place in the last eight of the tournament was confirmed after a 3-1 win over Uruguay.

Guatemala finished as runners-up in Group A, having won two of their three group games.

After their defeat to Brazil, they impressed at times against the Netherlands, but will have been disappointed to have only managed a 2-2 draw with Angola.

While the Central American side have advanced, they will have to be on top form if they are to get past Iran.

Goalkeeper Carlos Merida, however, claimed the Angola game gave Guatemala an opportunity to keep something in the tank for their quarter-final clash.

"Today we took it easy as we were practically guaranteed qualification," he said after the final group game.

"We saved some energy for the quarterfinals, when we will have a lot of difficulties."

They will indeed have difficulties against an Iranian team who scored 15 and conceded just three goals in the group stages.

Prediction: Iran to win.



Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Brazil vs Uruguay

Brazil take on Uruguay in a highly anticipated quarter-final clash at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix.

Brazil vs. Uruguay is Thursday's final quarter-final tie and takes place at the Amadeu Teixeira Arena at 01:00 BST (Friday morning).

The Brazilian Futsal team finished the group stage of the 7th Futsal Grand Prix with a 100 per cent record. A 5-2 win over the Netherlands in Tuesday gave them their third win in a row and they have looked superb in recent matches.

They now face Uruguay, who finish second in Group C after narrowly progressing on goal difference.

Brazil will be hot favourites with the bookmakers to advance to the semi-finals, and Lukaian, who impressed against Holland, admitted that the team took it easy to save some energy.

But he also warned that he and his team-mates need to avoid burning out if they are to get past Uruguay.

"Our defensive system was better today, we were worried about sorting out the defence and we managed to," he said.

"Afterwards, we slowed down the tempo of the match a little as the heat is too strong and we must avoid the fatigue to get to the quarterfinals in the best shape possible."

Uruguay scored ten goals in their group games. Brazil scored double that amount and conceded just three (to Uruguay's five).

Prediction: Brazil to win.




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