Courtesy: The AFC.com


First-half horror show sends Japan packing

Sunday, 11 November 2012

Bangkok: Asian champions crashed out of the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup after conceding six times in the first-half of their Round of 16 clash to go down 6-3 to Ukraine.

Sergiy Cheporunik put Ukraine one up in the third minute and after Dmytro Fedorchenko doubled the lead two minutes later a Shota Hoshi mistake in defence allowed Sergiy Zhubra to make it 3-0 with just ten minutes played.

Ievgen Rogachov added a sublime fourth in the 12th minute before Japan's half went from bad to worse when Kota Inaba was sent off for denying a goalscoring opportunity five minutes from the break and Ukraine made their numerical advantage count with Denys Ovsiannikov netting a quickfire double in the 15th minute to give the Ukrainians a commanding six-goal lead to take into the interval.

Japan fought back gamely after the break and threatened an unlikely rival midway in the second period when a Kaoru Morioka double (29th and 30th) and a Wataru Kitahara strike (31st) but the damage had been done in the first-half and Ukraine held on for the win.

"It's a pity that we still give these kinds of performances, showing our mental weakness," Japan coach Miguel Rodrigo said.

"Our performance in the second half came naturally in a way because the scoreline was impossible to retrieve and that released the players from pressure and responsibility. At least we gave our fans something. Their support has been indispensable. They made it feel like we were playing at home."




Courtesy: The AFC.com


Thais undone by slick Spain

Sunday, 11 November 2012

Bangkok: FIFA Futsal World Cup hosts Thailand bowed out of the tournament at the Round of 16 stage after being given a futsal master class by European champions Spain, who ran out comfortable 7-1 winners.

Despite the backing of a vociferous home crowd the Thais were always second best to the tournament favourites, who went into Sunday's match having won all five previous meetings between the two.

La Roja opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Torras, who then doubled his side's lead seven minutes later as the Spaniards took a not insurmountable 2-0 cushion in to the break.

A brace from Fernando (24th and 27th) made it 4-0 to Spain before the Europeans extended their advantage to 7-0 with Aicardo (29th), Ortiz (33rd) and Alvaro (37th) getting their names on the scoresheet.

But to the delight of the home crowd it was the Thais that would have the final say courtesy of a fine Kritsanda Wongkaeo strike with two minutes left on the clock.

"The difference today between Spain and Thailand is that when you take risks thy will will score," reflected Thailand's Dutch coach Victor Hermans.

"We had some chances when it was 0-0 but we failed to capitalise and against teams like Spain you must take the chances you have."




Courtesy: The AFC.com


Iran stunned by South Americans

Sunday, 11 November 2012

Bangok: Asian futsal powerhouse Iran crashed out of the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup when the ten-time continental champions were handed a shock 2-1 defeat by Colombia in their Round of 16 clash on Sunday.

Iran dominated the match but found Colombian keeper Juan Lozano in inspired form and it was the South American shot-stopper who created the first goal when his long throw out found Yefri Duque, who won the one-on-one confrontation with Iran keeper Mostafa Nozari by firing an angled shot into the far corner nine minutes into the second period.

Iran were reduced to ten men in the 32nd minute when Mostafa Tayyebi was shown a straight red card and Colombia capitalized on their extra man advantage just a minute later through Angellot Caro and although Ali Rahnama reduced the deficit in the 34th minute Iran were unable to get their way back into the match as Colombia pulled off the biggest upset of Thailand 2012 so far.

Colombia played the entire game with a defensive formation and when they got the ball they just cleared it away," Iran caoch Ali Sanei after the match that saw Asia's interest in the competition end following defeats to Japan and Thailand in the earlier Round of 16 encounter.

"It was a great day for the Colombia goalkeeper and a bad day for us."






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