Courtesy: Crunch Sports


United States vs Belgium

The United States face Belgium today in the 13th-16th play-off at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix after both sides lost on Thursday.

Team USA went down 5-2 to Holland in Manaus on Thursday in a game in which they were second best throughout.

Both sides had looked to attack in the first-half but it was the Europeans who were better on the ball. The second period produced more of the same and although the Americans did not give up, they were unable to get back into the game.

The USA will look to get back to winning ways against a Belgium side who were beaten on penalties by Angola on Thursday.

The two sides drew 3-3 to take the game into extra-time, with the final score of 4-4 ensuring penalties were required. Angola won the shootout 4-1 in one of the surprises of the day.

Angola had taken just one point from their three group games prior to Thursday's tie.

Belgium's only win in the competition remains their group win over the United States, which may give them the advantage today.

Based on Thursday's results, however, it's a tough one to call.

Prediction: United States to win.



Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Czech Republic vs Paraguay

Czech Republic face Paraguay in today's second 5th-8th play-off at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix after both sides lost in the quarter-finals on Thursday.

Paraguay went down 7-3 to Argentina at the Amadeu Teixeira Arena in an exciting clash between the two South American sides, while Russia ended Czech Republic's hopes of advancing to the semi-finals last night with a 4-2 win.

Paraguay had looked very good at times in the group stages of the competition, finishing second in Group B with two wins from their three group games.

The Czech Republic had also finished second in their group, but throughout the tournament they have struggled for goals.

Before scoring twice on Thursday, the Czech's had only scored 11 goals in their three group games, conceding seven.

It has been a similar tournament for Paraguay, who came through the group stage having scored just nine goals from their three games.

This is a game that could go either way and providing they do not waste chances in front of goal - which was the case against Argentina - it is the South Americans who should advance.

Prediction: Paraguay to win.



Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Russia vs Argentina

Russia take on Argentina in today's first semi-final at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix in Brazil.

Argentina came out on top in Thursday's South American classic at the 7th Futsal Grand Prix, beating Paraguay 7-3 to advance to the final four.

It was an impressive second half performance by the Argentines after a slow start and Santiago Basile, who scored four goals during the game, admitted afterwards: "In the first half, we didn’t play so well, but in the second we managed to improve and guarantee a place in the semis."

Russia were arguably less impressive as they beat the Czech Republic 4-2 on Thursday, but they were superb in the group stages of the tournament, winning all three games to finish top of Group B, scoring 21 and conceding just five.

Argentina were also unbeaten during the group stages and based on the form of both sides throughtout the Grand Prix de Futsal, this could go either way.

Prediction: Argentina to win.




Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Netherlands vs Angola

Netherlands take on Angola this evening in the 9th-12th play-off at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix after both sides got back to winning ways on Thursday.

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

But in the battle to finish top of the pile in the 9th-16th play-offs, the Dutch got back to winning ways on Thursday with a 5-2 win over the United States.

After an open first half, Netherlands were the better side in the second half and coach Marcel Lossveld admitted afterwards: "In the first half our defence played well and in the second it was our attack that worked.

"We managed to impose ourselves and that was key for our victory."

Next up for the Dutch are Angola, who got their first win of the 7th Futsal Grand Prix on Thursday with a penalty shootout win over a poor Belgium side.

Angola, who had taken just one point in the group stages, drew with Belgium 3-3 in normal time and after the scores were tied at 4-4 after extra-time, went on to beat the Europeans 4-1 on penalties.

Angola will no doubt be in confident mood ahead of tonight's game, but they will have to be on form to record back-to-back victories against a Netherlands side who have been one of the better sides to have missed out on the quarter-finals.

Prediction: Netherlands to win.



Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Costa Rica vs Zambia

Costa Rica take on Zambia this evening in the 13th-16th play-off at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix after both sides were beaten on Thursday.

Costa Rica were beaten 4-2 by Mozambique in what was Mozambique's first win in the entire tournament.

Costa Rica ultimately paid the price for making a number of mistakes during the game as well as being unable to deal with continued pressure from the African side.

Zambia were beaten 2-1 by Hungary on Thursday in yet another poor performance which came after they scored just three goals and conceded 24 during the group stages.

If there was a plus for Zambia to take from their most recent defeat, it was that they kept it fairly tight defensively.

But scoring goals remains an issue and Costa Rica should be able to win this one.

Prediction: Costa Rica to win.



Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Brazil vs Iran

Brazil take on Iran in today's second semi-final at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix in Brazil.

If Brazil hadn't already sent out a message to other teams during the group stages of the tournament, they certainly did on Thursday night.

The hosts finished top of their group at the 7th Futsal Grand Prix with a 100 per cent record, scoring 20 goals in 3 games.

And after needing just four minutes to open the scoring against Uruguay in their quarter-final clash, they went on to record an empathic 12-0 win.

Brazil star Simi was keen to praise the entire team afterwards.

"I can’t remember a start this good," he said.

"Not only mine, but especially the whole team’s. We knew that team would improve and we started the match very focused.

"The three goals right at the beginning gave us a lot of confidence, and we ended getting an emphatic win."

Iran now stand between the green and yellow team and a place in the final after they beat Guatemala 4-2 in their quarter-final tie on Thursday.

Iran are still in with a chance of reaching the final, but they will have to be at their very best against Brazil.

They reached the quarter-finals by also winning all three of their group games - including a 3-1 win over Uruguay - but based on Thursday's games, it's hard to see how they can find a way past the hosts.

Prediction: Brazil to win.



Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Mozambique vs Hungary

Mozambique take on Hungary tonight in the 9th-12th play-off at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix after both sides recorded play-off wins on Thursday.

Mozambique got its first win of the 7th Futsal Grand Prix, beating Costa Rica 4-2.

It was a solid performance in which they made Costa Rica pay the price for making mistakes going forward, catching their opponents on the counter-attack.

Mozambique coach Roberval Ramos admitted afterwards that his side had achieved what they set out to do in Manaus.

"We haven’t played since 2009, in Anapolis," he said.

"We did not have much time to train and this win was important for our futsal, as it means our persistence worked.

"We will have a more difficult game [against Hungary], but we will still look for a positive result."

Ramos' side may well be able to record two wins in as many days.

Hungary were not overly impressive in beating Zambia 2-1 and given that they were leaking goals for fun during the group stages of the tournament, the Europeans could find themselves losing again tonight.

Prediction: Mozambique to win.



Courtesy: Crunch Sports


Uruguay vs Guatemala

Uruguay take on Guatemala in today's first 5th-8th play-off at the 2011 Futsal Grand Prix after both sides lost in Thursday's quarter-finals.

Uruguay were thrashed 12-0 by hosts Brazil on Thursday, while Guatemala went down 4-2 to Iran.

It was a devastating defeat for Uruguay, who had only just managed to make it through to the quarter-finals after narrowly progressing from Group C on goal difference.

Guatemala's path to the final eight had been relatively smooth after they finished as runners-up in Group A with two wins from their three group games.

Based on results and performances to date, Guatemala will be widely seen as favourites to win this game in the battle to finish fifth, although their opponents will be keen to bounce back from the Brazil game.

Whether they can come back from a 12-0 hammering, however, remains to be seen.

Prediction: Guatemala to win.




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