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UEFA.comCapar repeat ensures Croatia hold Czech RepublicFriday 31 January 2014Just as against Spain two days ago, Matija Capar equalised as flying goalkeeper to leave Croatia well placed in Group D.
Croatia 3-3 Czech Republicby
Paul Saffer from Lotto Arena
Just as against Spain two days ago, Matija Capar equalised as flying goalkeeper to leave Croatia well placed in UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 Group D.
Croatia, so impressive in holding Spain 3-3, had beaten the Czech Republic 5-4 to go through in Split two years ago, and led 2-1 at the break. Roman Mareš and Michal Belej scored early in a thrilling second half, but Capar had other ideas and the Czechs now need to beat Spain on Sunday or draw by four goals apiece or more.
Franko Jelovčić had an early shot stopped on the line by defender Jiří Novotný, but the Czech Republic responded with David Frič's strike just wide. Jelovčić then missed the target after a superb one-two on the break with Jakov Grcić, back from suspension. However, the Czech Republic broke the deadlock when Novotný stroked in a shot from the left.
Dario Marinović and Tihomir Novak, who both scored in the 2012 encounter, had efforts blocked, but the equaliser arrived in the next attack, Marinović setting up Jelovčić to beat Libor Gerčák at his near post. And Croatia were ahead before the interval as Marinović exchanged passes with Novak on the left and tapped in.
Mareš, whose brother Michal is missing the tournament through injury, levelled 30 seconds after the break, his near-post shot catching Ivo Jukić cold. Croatia were not disheartened and David Frič did well to intercept a Marinović effort on the line. But Frič then turned provider, combining with Michal Seidler to set up Belej.
Somehow, Jelovčić was unable to turn a Josip Šuton pass past Gerčák as play swung from end to end. Croatia conceded a sixth foul, and although Jukić stopped Michal Kovacs's first effort by encroaching, the second by Seidler was stopped legitimately.
That was the cue for Wednesday hero Maitja Capar to again don the flying goalkeeper jersey. And at virtually the same moment as he did against Spain, Capar made it 3-3 to leave Croatia in sight of the last eight.
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UEFA.comAzerbaijan's Edu strike late to stun SloveniaFriday 31 January 2014Slovenia seemed to be sailing through at 5-2, but Azerbaijan fought back and flying goalkeeper Edu clinched victory in the final minute.
Slovenia 6-7 Azerbaijan
by Paul Saffer from Lotto Arena
Azerbaijan flying goalkeeper Edu struck with less than 30 seconds to go in an incredible match which Slovenia had seemingly won.
Having upset Italy 3-2 on Wednesday, matters were in Slovenia's hands, and at 5-2 up thanks to Gašper Vrhovec's hat-trick they appeared set to seal top spot in Group C and a last-eight berth. However, Azerbaijan levelled at 5-5 and 6-6 before Edu's last-minute intervention left the section wide open ahead of his team's Sunday decider with Italy.
Azerbaijan had to wait four days to be the last of the 12 teams to start, and within 24 seconds Amadeu found the net on his competitive international debut with a vicious effort. Vrhovec equalised for Slovenia less than a minute later, though, pouncing on a rebound from Igor Osredkar's blocked shot.
Towards the end of the half, Slovenia took control of proceedings, with Vrhovec threatening more than once. The pressure told when Kristjan Čujec turned in Rok Mordej's near-post corner. And there was still time before the break for Čujec to cross for Vrhovec to make it 3-1.
Slovenia started the second half the stronger, but they were given a warning when goalkeeper Damir Puškar had to advance to foil Vitaliy Borisov. Indeed, on 25 minutes, Rafael showed neat footwork before shooting in from the edge of the box. Nevertheless, Uroš Kroflič immediately restored the two-goal cushion after Alen Fetič's corner.
Vrhovec completed his hat-trick following fine work from Čujec, but moments later Borisov restored hope for Azerbaijan, now playing with Edu as flying goalkeeper. With eight minutes left, Augusto struck from a seemingly impossible angle to further reduce arrears.
From his own half, Osredkar was denied by the post, and Slovenia's lead disappeared when Amadeu played a corner long back to Felipe, who took a step forward and smashed the ball in. But there were more twists to come as Puškar made a save and his long throw found Fetič in space to restore Slovenia's lead, before Felipe levelled again from as tight an angle as Augusto. Amazingly that was not it, Felipe's ball towards goal given a final touch by Edu as the seconds ticked down.
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