Courtesy: UEFA.com


Chrudim on the brink of elite round

FK EP Chrudim closed in on the elite round after securing a second successive win while KMF Ekonomac Kragujevac, FK Nikars Riga and FC Litija produced eye-catching displays.

Wednesday 5 September 2012

FK EP Chrudim tightened their grip on a UEFA Futsal Cup elite round place after recording their second main round victory in as many days, while KMF Ekonomac Kragujevac, FC Litija and FK Nikars Riga made eye-catching statements of intent.

Chrudim moved three points clear atop Group 3 by firing four unanswered goals past KMF Leotar Trebinje. Energy Lviv are still in contention, however, after rallying from a goal down to condemn City'US Târgu Mureş to a 6-3 loss, and leave those two sides locked on three points heading into Friday's concluding fixtures.

There were goals aplenty in Group 2's opening games, with Nikars dispatching KMF Zelezarec Skopje 6-1 to go top of the standings. Snapping at their heels are Ekonomac, whose 6-2 triumph against Vegakameratene was shaped by a hat-trick from Brazilian forward Daniel.

Litija set the initial pace in Group 4, having cruised to a 7-2 success against Athina '90 Athens, while Iberia Star Tbilisi occupy second place after coming from behind to defeat Paris Sporting Club 3-2.

In Group 5, MNK Split strode to the summit thanks to a 1-0 win against Lidselmash Lida. Section rivals and 2007 tournament winners MFK Dinamo Moskva were not in action as scheduled opponents Akademia FC Pniewy withdrew from the competition (and lose all three matches 5-0 by default).

Győri ETO FC are the early Group 6 frontrunners following a 3-0 victory over Club Futsal Eindhoven, while Vitaliy Borisov struck in each half as 2010 bronze medallists Araz Naxçivan posted a 2-1 success despite tough opposition from Republic of Ireland's EID Futsal.

The main round action continues in Groups 2, 4, 5 and 6 on Thursday when Group 1 begins in Cyprus, featuring 2010 semi-finalists Luparense C/5. All 12 teams that qualify will join the four top seeds – holders FC Barcelona, 2010 winners SL Benfica, Murcia FS and Kairat Almaty – in the 13 September elite round draw. That phase of the competition, running from 9 to 14 October, will decide April's four finalists.




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