Courtesy: The World Game - SBS


Brazil rules the Futsal world yet again

19 November 2012

Brazil beat Spain 3-2, courtesy of a goal 19 seconds from the end of extra-time, to win its fifth FIFA Futsal World Cup.
With the decider destined for a penalty shootout, Neto scored the decisive goal after collecting the ball in his own half beating his marker with a neat move and unleashing an unstoppable low left-foot drive.

After a goalless first half at Bangkok's Huamark Indoor Stadium, Brazil took the lead through Neto in the 25th minute with a shot from a fair way out.

Spain responded with two quick goals either side of the half hour mark with Torras on target to level the score before Aicardo gave his side the advantage - both finishing from close range.

With less than four minutes remaining in regulation time, Falcao fired home from distance to equalise and send the game into extra-time.

Both sides had opportunities to score in the 10 extra minutes with Brazil having the best chance when awarded a spot kick in the 49th minute. But Rodrigo's effort was brilliantly denied by Juanjo.

However, the Spain goalkeeper could not deny Neto, Golden Ball winner as player of the tournament, a minute or so later as Brazil retained the trophy it won in 2008 against Spain - which had won the previous two editions.

In the play-off for third place, Italy accounted for a valiant Colombia 3-0 with all the goals arriving in the second half.

A double from Rodolfo Fortino and a Sergio Romano rocket sealed the result for the Italians. Colombia was second best but heroics from goalkeeper Juan Lozano kept it in the hunt.

Romano provided the moment of brilliance eight minutes into the second half to break the deadlock when he volleyed a chipped corner from Assis from a long way out.

The contest was as good as over when Lozano sacrificed himself to deny Italy a goalscoring chance by handling outside his area and, in doing so, was sent off.

In the remaining time Italy made the most of its numerical advantage with Fortino bagging a double after assists from Lima.






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