By
Doug ReedRound 2Praia Clube - Luparense
11-2 (6-0)Fusio - Iran U17
0-1 (0-0)Petrarca Padova - La Squadra Mouscron
5-8 (2-5)CD Murcia - Minas Tenis
1-4 (0-1)Round 3Iran U17 - Praia Clube
9-2 (4-1)Luparense - Fusio
3-12 (2-7)Minas Tenis - Petrarca Padova
10-0 (9-0)La Squadra Mouscron - CD Murcia
6-6 (1-4)7th/8th Place Match13.00 Luparense - Petrarca
Both teams have yet to record any points so this will be an opportunity for one of them to record a victory in the Italian derby. Petrarca are the youngest team in the tournament with their players being only 15 years of age. Despite their 3 loses they showed yesterday that they are a tactically organised teams who will create chances. Luparense continued their form from the 1st day and were easily beaten in both games against Praia Clube and Fusio. It will be key for them to find confidence after 3 heavy loses.
5th/6th Place Match14.30 Praia Clube - La Squadra Mouscron
Praia Clube played two closely fought games against Iran and Fusio and they will be slight favourites for this game. La Squadra Mouscron showed a fighting spirit to recover from 6-1 down against Murcia to draw level 6-6 and had chances to win their game in the ultimate game of the day yesterday. They will need to repeat this 2nd half performance to have hopes of victory against Praia Clube.
3rd/4th Place Match16.00 Fusio - CD Murcia
The hosts from Zagreb defended like lions against a dominant Iran and despite controlling possession it took Iran until the last 5 minutes before they were able to break the deadlock. Murcia are the most defensively organised team in the tournament and they will need to use this organisation to nullify the counter attacking threat of Fusio.
1st/2nd Place Match17.30 Iran U17 - Minas Tenis
Iran have maintained a high level of performance in all their games. Their players have shown exceptional technique but also demonstrated tactical awareness by adapting their game to prevent the counter attacks of Fusio in Round 2. The Brazilians of Minas, like the Iranians, have a perfect record and have yet to be really tested. This is expected to be a fascinating game that will push both teams to play to their maximum and the team that is able to do this will be crowned 2012 Fusio Cup Champions.
