Courtesy: UEFA.com


Clinical Dinamo do down Iberia Star

Friday 26 April 2013

Iberia Star Tbilisi 2-5 MFK Dinamo

Two goals each from Pula and Dieguinho sent Dinamo into a fifth final and ended the hopes of the hosts.

by Paul Saffer from Tbilisi Palace of Sport

MFK Dinamo survived an attempted comeback from Iberia Star Tbilisi to beat the hosts to Sunday's UEFA Futsal Cup final against Kairat Almaty.

Quickfire goals from Pula and Dieguinho put the 2007 winners in control in the first half as they bid to reach a second straight final – and a joint-record fifth overall. Pula added another early in the second half but Augusto brought a 7,200 semi-final crowd, including Georgian Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili, to their feet with 12 minutes left, though Dinamo clinched it through Dieguinho and Aleksandr Fukin.

Although the home support backing the first Georgian side ever to host a UEFA final tournament were loud from well before kick-off, Dinamo began strongly and Romulo and Pula both threatened. Kumano, one of several new signings fielded by Iberia Star along with Marko Perić, Marcel Ribeiro and Kumano, forced an early save from Aleksei Popov, keeping goal for Dinamo with Gustavo suspended.

Popov was again the hero when he blocked a Ribeiro effort from close range in the 12th minute, which was to prove vital. Seconds later Dinamo won a corner, and Romulo's kick was laid back by Dieguinho for Pula to smash in.

Only 20 seconds later, with Iberia Star still regrouping, Dieguinho turned scorer, pouncing on a misplaced pass to double the Russian team's advantage. Alert goalkeeping from Celio prevented Nando from making it three and ensured the Iberia Star fans were not silent for long.

However, just two minutes into the second half it was 3-0. Popov found Fukin on the left and he played it across for Pula to produce another thumping finish. Iberia Star were struggling, yet then Augusto gave them hope as he broke, played a one-two with Fabinho, and beat Popov.

With all-time competition top scorer Lúcio as flying goalkeeper, Iberia Star suddenly had a chance. Rafa sent an enticing ball across the face of the Dinamo net and Nando, to be named Western Union man of the match, had to make an goal-saving interception. The Iberia Star goal was unguarded, and Dieguinho shot unerringly into the empty net from the Dinamo box.

It was soon all over as Tatù laid off and Fukin rounded Celio to make it 5-1. The home crowd maintained the noise until the end and had a Fabinho consolation to cheer in the last minute but Iberia Star will play only for third place against FC Barcelona on Sunday.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Kairat end Barcelona reign

Friday 26 April 2013

Kairat Almaty 5-4 FC Barcelona

Fumasa's hat-trick ended Kairat's run of four semi-final losses with a dramatic defeat of the holders, and they now play MFK Dinamo.

by Paul Saffer from Tbilisi Palace of Sport

Leo struck with less than five minutes left to send Kairat Almaty into Sunday's UEFA Futsal Cup final with MFK Dinamo and end FC Barcelona's reign as holders.

Barcelona had never lost any of their 11 previous European games and Kairat had been beaten in all four of their past semi-finals. But in a superb match in Tbilisi, both sides led before Leo was was set up by Leo Santana to make it 4-3 then Fumasa completed a hat-trick.

Most of the 7,200 crowd that watched Iberia Star Tbilisi beaten by Dinamo 5-2 earlier stayed and were rewarded in the first three minutes. First Saad threatened for the holders and then Joan, twice a beaten finalist with Dinamo and a former Iberia player, hit the post for Kairat. Saad forced a save from Higuita but Kairat were then ahead as Paco Sedano could only parry a Leo effort and Fumasa tapped in the loose ball from centimetres out.

With both teams playing very positive games, more goals were likely and on eight minutes Barcelona levelled, Lin smashing in a half-volley after Wilde's shot rebounded off Higuita. No matter, 24 seconds later Fumasa struck his second, again after a Leo shot was saved but this time from further out.

Fumasa and Betão for Kairat, Wilde and Gabriel for Barcelona: the chances kept coming at both ends and there was a superb save from Higuita to deny Saad. However, the Kairat goalkeeper was powerless when the unmarked Torras turned in Igor's kick-in from near the corner on the left. Higuita could have made amends himself, advancing to send in a rasping shot from distance that rattled the Barcelona crossbar.

The second half started like the first. Within 30 seconds Barcelona were ahead, a mazy Sergio Lozano dribble setting up Wilde. Lozano then hit the post, but Higuita, again forward, made Paco Sedano save and then the Kairat keeper made an equaliser as he found Joan, whose shot to the far post was helped in by Moraes.

Kairat continued to push and again Higuita hit the woodwork, but he did not neglect his goalkeeping duties and turned a Gabriel effort round the post. It seemed things were tightening up as extra time loomed but then a mix-up in the Barcelona defence allowed Leo Santana to steal in and tee up Leo to tap in.

Higuita kept out Fernandão's acrobatic effort as Barcelona went for broke, and then denied Aicardo. With Lozano the flying goalkeeper, Fumasa ended all doubt with 96 seconds left, rolling into an empty net. Fernandão did score with 0.2 seconds to go, but it was too late.






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