Courtesy: fifa.com

FIFA Futsal Stars light up Medellin

Spectacular goals, eye-catching pieces of skill and a rousing atmosphere in the stands. On Friday 20 May in Medellin, the Colombian fans got a taste of what will be in store at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016, thanks to an exhibition game played between the FIFA Futsal Stars Team and the tournament hosts.

The match – which had spectators on the edge of their seats for long stretches – was held at the Coliseo Ivan de Bedout, one of the competition venues, and ended 3-2 to the All Stars, whose ranks were bolstered by three Colombian players.

"Irrespective of the result, it was a perfect party," Brazilian star Falcao told FIFA.com on a night when he showcased all his magic – including scoring a left-footed wonder strike and setting up two goals – and got the loudest ovations from the crowd.

"I see this as the first step for a great event. I hope this is the first of many matches alongside these former players, whose winning mentality is alive and kicking. And this is just a sample of what the supporters will see during the World Cup," added the popular No12, who is set to grace the tournament for the fifth and final time.

On this occasion Falcao teamed up with Kike, a former familiar foe and a fellow two-world champion, and indeed the two combined for the Brazilian's equaliser that made it 1-1. Speaking to FIFA.com after the game, the ex-Spain defender – who retired two years ago but got stuck in as if he had never been away, even protesting against refereeing decisions – echoed Falcao's thoughts: "The result is neither here nor there, this is a historic moment. We got to feel like players again, if only for a while, but above all we've laid the first stone for what will be a great World Cup. That's the best part of this."

Ambition and anticipation
It was a high-intensity encounter from the first whistle. Another Brazilian legend, Marquinho, was the first player to threaten, conjuring up an audacious scissor-kick, but it was the home team who had the upper hand early on. Indeed, Jesus Claveria, a world champion with Spain in 2000, impressed with a smart stop from a powerful shot, having to change directions in the air and show that his reflexes between the sticks are still intact.

"What a save!" a laughing Javier Lozano, the coach who steered La Roja to their two Futsal World Cup titles and who is now the President of the Spanish National Futsal League (LNFS), gushed to his former charge.

Colombia captain and icon Angellot Caro opened the scoring with an exquisite finish. "It was a unique experience against a group of legends who beat us! We've gained some important experience by playing against them. We knew they'd run their socks off because, given their nature, they never want to lose. We lost, but we've made the fans happy," said the Cafeteros No10, who never lost his sense of humour despite the defeat.

It is only fair to point out that Lady Luck did not smile on a Colombia side who are in the thick of their preparations for the big event – particularly in the second half, when they twice hit the woodwork and were denied by some stellar interventions from keeper Cesar Garcia, one of the Stars Team's local reinforcements.

Indeed, nerves began to fray on the Stars Team bench, where Paraguayan Carlos Chilavert could be heard barking out a stream of instructions and Argentinian Diego Giustozzi urged on his team-mates with the following battle cry: "We've made it this far on level terms, we can't lose!" The duo will both be at the forthcoming World Cup as the coaches of their respective countries.

Spain's Andreu, who tasted glory on the global stage in 2004, proved the match-winner, bagging the second and third goals for the Stars Team. Despite his obvious satisfaction at the side's winning debut, he preferred to focus on another matter at hand: "I'm pleased that we've done our bit to promote the spectacle that Colombia are going to enjoy in a few months' time. What the people saw today is what they're going to get, but at 100 per cent, the highest level," said the former pivot, who was also a World Cup runner-up in 2008, four years after lifting the trophy.

After posing together for a photograph following the final whistle, the players headed over to the stands to sign autographs and have their pictures taken with crowd members. Falcao was the most in demand of the lot, but they all made a point of engaging with the fans, who went away happy and eagerly looking forward to the big kick-off on 10 September.

Line-ups:
Stars Team: 1. Jesus Claveria; 2. Cesar Garcia; 3. Julio Garcia Mera; 4. Diego Giustozzi; 5. Carlos Chilavert; 6. Javi Sanchez; 7. Duan Ardila; 8. Kike Bonet; 9. Andres Linares; 11. Marquinho; 12. Falcao (captain); 14. Daniel Bolivar

Colombia: 1. Juan Lozano; 2. Gildardo Zuniga; 3. James Castillo; 4. Yeisson Fonnegra; 5. Jose Quiroz; 6. Andres Sierra; 7. Jhonatan Toro; 8. Stiven Abril; 9. Yulian Diaz; 10. Angellot Caro; 11 Wilmar Ramirez; 12. Mateo Zapata; 13. Luis Posada; 14. Luis Rodelo.

Goals: 0-1, Caro; 1-1, Falcao; 2-1, Andreu; 2-2, Diaz; 3-2, Andreu.






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