Courtesy: FIFA.com


Narrow win puts Japan through

Japan have beaten Libya 4-2 but been pipped to second spot in Group C by Portugal, who advance directly to the last 16 by virtue of a superior goal difference. The Asian champions, however, went on to advance as one of the best third-placed teams after the results in the later matches went their way.

Roared on by a boisterous band of fans at the Huamark Indoor Stadium, Japan dominated the first half and, after several near misses, took a deserved lead on 18 minutes when Kotaro Inaba's deflected strike wrong-footed goalkeeper Yousef Bensaed.

Inaba would go on to play a vital role, but his next contribution was an unfortunate one as he provided a small but telling touch that enabled Mohamed Rahoma’s free-kick to fly past Kawara into the top left-hand corner. The 29-year-old quickly made amends in the second half though, robbing Bader Hasan and playing in Shota Hoshi to re-establish Japan’s lead with a delicate chipped finish.

That was after 25 minutes, and a minute later Inaba grabbed a goal to add to his earlier assists, sticking out a leg to divert Yusuke Komiyama’s low left-foot shot beyond the helpless Bensaed. Japan were going for goals at this stage - needing a winning margin of five or greater to be assured of a place in the next round - and they edged closer with eight minutes remaining when Nobuya Osodu cut in from the left to fire low into the net.

However, Rahoma struck again from the penalty spot with two minutes remaining to leave Miguel Rodrigo's side waiting on later results before being able to toast their progression.

The quotes
“I told my players that, before worrying about goal difference, we needed to win the game. We did not play to our best level because of the responsibility on our shoulders, and because of nervousness. Nevertheless, we got the job done,"
Miguel Rodrigo, Japan coach.

“We were aware that we were coming here to gain experience. Keep in mind that, for different reasons, we formed this team in the space of 40 days. This is a long process and, if these lessons are learned, Libya can keep growing,"
Pablo Prieto, Libya coach.




Courtesy: FIFA.com


Brazil victorious but Portugal also advance

Brazil beat Portugal 3-1 in their final Group C game, which sent the victors through to the Round of 16 with a 100 per cent record and also proved enough for the losers to advance.

Simi, Fernandinho and Neto got the goals for Marcos Sorato’s team, who had already been assured of continuation in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 before kick-off.

Brazil made a positive start to the game, forcing Joao Benedito into making two fine saves and hitting the crossbar through Fernandinho, and the South Americans got their reward on 12 minutes. Gabriel’s cross found Fernandinho, who cleverly nodded the ball into the path of Simi. The No8 duly dispatched the ball with a first-time shot to break the deadlock.

Portugal, who had been quiet until that point, nevertheless made an immediate response. Cardinal played a delightful one-two with Ricardinho before slotting home to make it 1-1.

Brazil enhanced the pressure after the break, and they retook the lead when Fernandinho exchanged passes with Simi before slotting the ball into the empty net.

Joao Benedito was sent off for handling the ball outside his area on 33 minutes, but Brazil failed to capitalise on their two-minute numerical advantage. However, they did put the result beyond doubt in the last minute when, with Portugal having sacrificed their keeper to play with an extra outfield player, Neto guided the ball into the unguarded goal from distance.

Brazil will now face one of the best third-placed sides in the Round of 16 on Monday.

The quotes
“We have to look forward. We had a great performance today but in a World Cup you have to match the performance with the result,”
Jorge Braz, Portugal coach.

“The team played with seriousness but now we are in the knockout stage, so we must win every game. In the first half it was hard to go forward but in the second half the players were calmer and the eventual score was perfect for us,”
Marcos Sorato, Brazil coach.




Courtesy: FIFA.com


Paraguay advance, Thais wait

Paraguay have qualified for the knockout phase of the FIFA Futsal World Cup with battling 3-2 win over Thailand at a raucous Huamark Indoor Stadium. The hosts, for their part, must wait to find out if they can finish among the best third-placed teams, although they will wonder what might have been but for scores of missed chances.

The Thais went into the match knowing that a win would take them through but they endured a nightmare start, falling three goals behind inside the opening ten minutes. Adolfo Salas scored the first with a low shot from wide on the right that sneaked inside the far post, and Enmanuel Ayala – back from suspension – doubled their lead with a shot high into the roof of the net, his fourth goal in just two matches.

Thailand were actually dominating in terms of possession and shots on goal at this stage, but clinical Paraguay made them pay again soon after when Juan Salas side-footed into the unguarded net after Prakit Dankunthod had parried at the feet of Jose Luis Santander. It was looking grim for the Thais at this stage, but their customary comeback began just a minute later when star player Suphawut Thueanklang reacted first to shoot low into the net after a frantic penalty box scramble

The goal was greeted by a huge roar by the magnificent home support, and the excitement in the stands reached fever pitch five minutes into the second half when Victor Hermans’ side drew level. This time, Paraguay were caught out by Apiwat Chaemcharoen’s quickly taken corner, which the alert Jetsada Chomboon blasted high into the net.

The fans urged their team forward in search of an equaliser but composure was all too often lacking from the Thais’ energetic attacking play, and they now face an agonising wait before discovering if their FIFA Futsal World Cup adventure is at an end.

The quotes
"The beginning was a bit better than against Ukraine but I was scared again when the score went to 3-0. Then my team started playing and scoring goals. In the end we only lacked that bit of luck that would have brought us the equaliser,"
Victor Hermans, Thailand coach.

“It is never easy to play the host team because of the crowd, but we showed some character. I still think we are not playing to our usual level but, even so, we did have chances to put the game away in the second half. A new competition starts now (in the knockout stage), and we must improve,"
Fernando Leite, Paraguay coach.



Courtesy: FIFA.com


Ukraine progress, Costa Rica out

Ukraine secured their place in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 by virtue of a 6-1 win over Costa Rica.

The Europeans’ attacking threat was nullified by Los Ticos in the early stages, but when the first goal came others followed in quick succession. In the seventh minute Denys Ovsiannikov fired in a powerful shot from the left which was followed up by Ievgen Rogachov to break the deadlock.

Rogachov added his second nine minutes later with a powerful free kick. A minute later the influential forward turned from scorer to provider as he led a quick counter attack before squaring the ball to Denys Ovsiannikov who passed into the empty net.

After the interval Oleksandr Sorokin increased the lead for Ukraine after his younger brother Dmytro’s shot from distance was saved by Costa Rica goalkeeper. However, big brother made no mistake from the rebound.

Just 12 seconds after that goal, Costa Rica pulled one back after a good run from Edwin Cubillo. His shot went between the legs of the goalkeeper and into the net.

Ukraine restored their four goal advantage five minutes later when Maksym Pavlenko fired a low, left footed shot into the net. Oleksandr Sorokin completed the rout with a volley from Sergiy Zhurba’s inch-perfect corner kick.

Meanwhile, Costa Rica have exited the competition as Paraguay's 3-2 win over Thailand meant that they finished fourth in the group.





Courtesy: FIFA.com


Trio advance, nervous wait for hosts

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Day seven at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 brought joy for Portugal, Ukraine and Paraguay, who all reached the last 16. Hosts Thailand finished third in Group A after defeat to the South Americans and now face a nervous wait over the coming days before they learn their fate.

Despite losing 3-1 to Brazil in Group C, Portugal followed the defending champions into the knockout stages. Japan's victory means they too are already sure of a spot in the last 16 as one of the best third-placed sides.

The tournament hosts will be keeping a close eye on proceedings in the next few days following their 3-2 defeat against Paraguay. Thailand ended up in third in Group A and are now reliant on at least two other third-placed teams finishing with an inferior record. By way of contrast, group winners Ukraine and runners-up Paraguay can follow events rather more calmly and start scouting out their potential opponents.

Results
Japan 4-2 Libya
Portugal 1-3 Brazil
Paraguay 3-2 Thailand
Costa Rica 1-3 Ukraine

Goal of the day
Brazil - Portugal, 1-1, Cardinal 13'27"
Any futsal fan going to watch Brazil play could normally expect to be treated to any number of skills and flicks from the reigning champions. But in the Korat Chatchai Hall, Portugal were not afraid to strut their stuff either. Ricardinho and Cardinal played their way past their Brazilian opponents with a combination of swift one-twos, before the latter's first-time strike, his sixth goal of the tournament, brought the scores level.

Memorable moments

The little trumpeter
DJ, a nine-year-old trumpet player, is sure to have a bright future as an entertainer. Prior to game between Japan and Libya at Bangkok's Huamark Indoor Stadium, the youngster delighted the crowd with his instrument, playing song after song before the spectators showed their appreciation with a rapturous round of applause.

True camaraderie
Team spirit is usually mentioned as one of the key elements of success in any side, and Thailand demonstrated their togetherness in their decisive game against Paraguay. Kritsada Wongkaeo was unable to participate due to suspension, having already received two yellow cards, but his team-mates showed he was still part of the group by holding up his No7 shirt for the pre-match team photo.

Stat of the day
13 - Brazil's victory over Portugal established a new record for the most consecutive victories at a FIFA Futsal World Cup, surpassing the previous best, set by Spain. Since beating continental rivals Argentina in Chinese Taipei on 5 December 2004, the South Americans have won all of their games, including their penalty shootout triumph over Spain in the final on home soil four years ago.

The words
"I told my players that they should win the game before they started thinking about the goal difference," Japan coach Miguel Rodrigo.






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