Source: Kuwait Times

Both matches of Group 3 of the Kuwait Mini World Futsal Club Tournament ended in draws. Iran’s Tabriz drew with Paraguay’s Sport Colonial 2-2 and in the second match, Kuwait’s Al-Qadsiya were able to get a highly valuable draw with Al-Sadd to qualify for the quarterfinals as their match also ended 2-2. Al-Sadd heads the group and Qadsiya is in second place, while Colonial and Tabriz are out in one of the biggest surprises in this world tournament because both team were expected to compete for the title.

Tabriz did not seem to shake off the heavy loss it suffered at the hands of Qadsiya by 11 goals and their coach failed to raise their morale. Colonial were able to force Iran’s champions to retreat and were able to create one chance after another, until they scored in the 6th minute through Silva as he took advantage of the slow Iranian defense. Colonial kept up the pressure with the hopes to qualify for the quarterfinals but the Iranian goalkeeper was able to block several dangerous shots.

The second half was relatively more exciting as both sides wanted to be in the quarterfinals Rodrigo Pereira scored Colonial’s second goal, which gave Tabriz the impetus to try harder and finally Farhad Fakhim scored their first goal, making the team intensify their attacks. Colonial tried hard to maintain the lead, but in the 36th minute, Jawad Asghari scored the equalizer for Tabriz and the match ended in a draw with Colonial’s players in shock.

Qadsiya and Al-Sadd played in front of a capacity crowd. Qadsiya began the match well and succeeded in scoring in the second minute through Gomez. Al-Sadd resisted Qadsiya’s control and regrouped, with Xavier scoring the equalizer in the sixth minute. Qadsiya resumed the quest for the lead again, while Al-Sadd relied on counterattacking and both teams had good opportunities to score, but the first half ended 1-1.

The second half saw both teams exchange attacks, though Al-Sadd were more cautious as they was guaranteed qualification to the next round. Sadd’s Flavio added a second goal, making Qadsiya’s players nervous as they intensified their attacks in search of an equalizer and qualify for the quarters too. Qadsiya continued attacking with fans getting worried as many opportunities were squandered in front of the Al-Sadd goal. The match continued this way until the 31st minute when Rafael scored for Qadsiya and the match ended 2-2. Both teams qualified.

The captain of Tabriz Vahid Shamsaee expressed sadness for leaving the tournament early as they had planned to reach the final rounds. He said “we came to the tournament with several goals including preparation for the Iranian Futsal League in addition to competing for the title, but we fulfilled half of our goals and failed to make it to the next round”. He said that his players benefitted a lot from the experience of the players they competed against. Shamsaee lauded the organization of the tournament and hoped such events continue to be organized in the region because it will make the game more popular and help it spread.

Meanwhile, Colonial coach said his team gave an outstanding performance in the first half and a very bad one in the second against Tabriz. He said the match was difficult and the Iranian team is one of the strongest. He said “we had control in the first half as our players were at their best but in the second half things went southwards and players lost concentration allowing the Iranians to get into the match and threaten our goal”.

Qadsiya’s Brazilian coach Fabio was glad his team qualified for the quarterfinals along with Al-Sadd. He said, “we are definitely happy for qualifying to the next round. We did well to qualify and achieved our goals. The players were highly responsible and were able to make up for their bad start”. Fabio said his team’s performance dropped in the second half as the players did not want to take risks were afraid that some players be suspended if they receive second yellow cards.

President of the Women’s Sports Association Sheikha Naeema Al-Ahmad lauded the organization that distinguished the Futsal tournament, and congratulated Sheikh Talal Al-Mohammad for this event which makes Kuwait’s Sports Movement proud. Sheikha Naeema said the young men who work in the committees “is a civilized image that is reflected in the organization” and hoped the tournament ends as it started.





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