Courtesy: FIFA.com


Spain final-bound after beating Italy

Spain have qualified for their fifth successive FIFA Futsal World Cup final with an accomplished 4-1 win over Italy at Bangkok’s Huamark Indoor Stadium.

It needed extra time to separate these sides when they met at the same stage of Brazil 2008, and this match – certainly in the first half - was every bit as tight and closely contested. The difference in the opening period was that Spain enjoyed the luck that, on a couple of occasions, deserted the Italians.

The first sign that it might not be the Azzurri’s day came after seven minutes, when Gabriel Lima nicked the ball past Juanjo but could only watch in agony as the ball rebounded to safety off the right-hand post. Then, two minutes later, another stroke of ill luck led to Italy falling behind, as an attempted cross from Torras deflected off the shin of Saad Assis and skidded beyond the wrong-footed Mammarella.

Spain might have been fortunate to be in front at half-time, but they began to exert their authority at the start of the second half, with Mammarella forced into fine saves to deny both Torras and Fernandao. The latter player was back for more after 25 minutes too, and this time it was Spain’s turn to curse lady luck as their No5’s delicate chip bounced back off the face of the post. But while Miguelin was also denied by the woodwork soon after as Italy struggled to hold on, the next time the net bulged, it was at the other end.

Spain only had themselves to blame too because it was a poorly timed substitution that allowed Alex Merlim to run through unchallenged on to Mammarella’s throw and flick the ball with the outside of his right foot beyond the isolated Juanjo. Italian celebrations didn’t last long though because, just 11 seconds later, Spain were level, with Torras picking out the run of Alemao and the No14 burying his close-range volley.

Lozano then scored a decisive third after Fernandao, taking advantage of Italy committing men forward, broke clear on the right and crossed for his team-mate to shoot low beyond Mammarella. And there was still time for Lin to round off a hugely impressive second half from Spain, skipping beyond his marker on the left and curling a right-foot shot just inside the far post.

The quotes
“I think the scoreline is a fair one because we really played a great match. We didn’t just win – we put on a real show. It was crucial for us to retake the lead quickly after Italy equalised because that way we didn’t allow them to gain any momentum. They tried to come forward but we were so good defensively that it was impossible for them. And, above all, we were clinical up front,”
Venancio Lopez, Spain coach.

“First of all, I must congratulate Spain. They’re a great team and deserve to be in the final. We tried our best to play at the same level as them and we managed to equalise, but unfortunately we were a bit unlucky and conceded again almost immediately. After that, the match became easier for the Spanish because we pushed forward and left spaces for them to exploit,”
Roberto Menichelli, Italy coach.




Courtesy: FIFA.com


Colombian dream ends as Brazil reach the final

Brazil will face Spain in Sunday’s FIFA Futsal World Cup final after overcoming a dogged Colombia side to win 3-1 at Bangkok’s Huamark Indoor Stadium. Gabriel emerged as the holders’ hero with two goals and an assist as the challenge of the tournament’s surprise packages was eventually brought to an end.

The Brazilians, as expected, dominated from the outset and Colombia’s outstanding keeper, Juan Lozano, had already been forced into two outstanding saves from Fernandinho by the time the deadlock was broken after just 41 seconds. On that occasion, Lozano was left helpless as Gabriel found a pocket of space just off the right flank and smashed a powerful left-foot shot low into the net.

The holders continued to dominate, but although the floodgates might have opened had it not been for Lozano’s heroics, Colombia kept themselves in contention and even managed a shock equaliser a minute before half-time. Completely against the run of play, Yeisson Fonnegra broke forward and played in Jhonathan Toro, whose left-foot shot flashed into the net off the inside of the right-hand post.

The introduction of Falcao in the second half signalled Brazil’s need for attacking inspiration, but when a moment of magic did arrive, Gabriel was again responsible. This time, even Lozano could do nothing to prevent the ball flying into the net, with the Barcelona star’s piledriver destined for the top corner as soon as it left his left boot.

The Brazil No6 was also heavily involved in the goal that doubled his team’s advantage, as it was his cross that the unfortunate Toro glanced beyond his own wrong-footed goalkeeper. Colombia battled valiantly in the closing stages, and threatened an equaliser on a couple of occasions, but they must content themselves with the third-place match, which their fellow South Americans again battle for gold.

The quotes
“I think it was a fair result. We started very well, scoring early, but we made life complicated for ourselves by not scoring the second goal. And the equaliser of Colombia put some pressure on us. In the second half, knowing that we had 20 minutes to qualify for another final, we played with more intensity in defence and we also attacked better. In fact, we never stopped attacking,"
Marcos Sorato, Brazil coach.

“We are disappointed by the result, but pleased with the performance of my players, who were able to match up for 20 minutes with the best team in the world. We were a bit unlucky, but I would rather highlight the great reaction of my players after that early goal. It's true that we were more attacking than in our previous games because we wanted to take advantage of our opponents' tiredness. But ultimately Brazil deserve to be in the final,"
Arney Fonnegra, Colombia coach.




Courtesy: FIFA.com


Favourites set up dream final

Friday 16 November 2012

Familiar foes Spain and Brazil will meet in the final of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, the fourth time the two countries will have battled for the title. The South Americans came out on top four years ago after a penalty shootout on home soil.

The European heavyweights strode into the showcase match after victory over Italy, who are now surely sick of the sight of the Iberians after succumbing to them both at the UEFA Futsal EURO in February this year and at Brazil 2008. The Furia Roja left no doubt as to who the continental top dogs are with a 4-1 triumph.

Brazil, on the other hand, laboured for much of the game to get the better of surprise package Colombia in the first all-South American semi-final fixture in the tournament's history. At Bangkok's Huamark Indoor Stadium, the defending champions looked intent on stamping their authority on proceedings from the start, but found Colombia goalkeeper Juan Lozano in inspired form. Ultimately though, their pressure paid off as they ran out 3-1 winners.

Results
Italy 1-4 Spain
Brazil 3-1 Colombia

Goal of the day
Brazil-Colombia, 1-1, Jhonathan Toro , 18'13"
Rank outsiders Colombia may have lost to Brazil, but they can at least take consolation in the fact they scored the best goal of the semi-finals. Much to the surprise of both the Brazilian players and the spectators, Colombia clinically finished one of their rare counter-attacks. Jose Quiroz started the move, before Yeisson Fonnegra - son of team coach Arney Fonnegra - sent a perfectly timed pass to the unmarked Jhonathan Toro, who in turn fired an unstoppable left-foot shot past Brazil keeper Tiago.

Memorable moments

Tit for tat
Just how fine the line between success and failure is was once again evident in the match between Italy and Spain. In the seventh minute, with goalkeeper Juanjo already beaten, Italy's Gabriel Lima could only hit the post. Seconds later at the other end, FC Barcelona player Saad Assis deflected club colleague Torras' effort past custodian Stefano Mammarella into his own net. But if it seemed that all the luck was with the Spanish, things evened themselves out to an extent in the second half as both Fernandao and Miguelin saw strikes come back off the woodwork.

Quick off the blocks
Brazil began furiously against Colombia and raced to a 1-0 lead after just 41 seconds through Gabriel. It was A Seleção's fastest goal at Thailand 2012 and the second-quickest by any team during this edition. Only Russia captain Sergey Sergeev found the net earlier, firing his side ahead a mere 34 seconds into their game against Guatemala.

Classy custodians
Goalkeepers came very much to the fore in both semi-final matches. Italy's Stefano Mammarella not only foiled Spain's attacks time and again, he also provided the assist for his team's solitary goal, while Cafeteros shot-stopper Juan Lozano continued his superb form to prevent Colombia losing by an even greater margin against Brazil. The keepers on the winning sides also played a key role, as both Tiago (Brazil) and Juanjo (Spain) performed heroics at crucial moments of their respective games.

Stat of the day
50 - For European champions Spain, the match against Italy was their 50th at a FIFA Futsal World Cup. 40 of those have ended in victory, with five draws and as many defeats, while they can boast a goal difference of 219 for with just 92 against. The only team to have made more tournament appearances is Brazil, whose game against Colombia was their 55th.

The words
"I must congratulate Spain. They're a great side and deserve to be in the final," Italy coach Roberto Menichelli.

Next up
Sunday 18 November (all kick-off times are local)
Italy-Colombia, Indoor Stadium Huamark, 17:00
Spain-Brazil, Indoor Stadium Huamark, 19:30






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