Courtesy: FIFA.com


Continental giants take to the stage

11 Sep 2016

As the final octet of teams take to the court at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016, drawing the eye most prominently are two faces who are never far from the tournament: European champions Spain and Copa America winners Argentina. Joined by the four other continental champions at the tournament, it is set to be a high-calibre day of action.

We run the rule over day three of the tournament as Group E and F take their opening bows.

Match of the day
Iran-Spain, 20:00 local time

With Iran missing from only the very first edition of the Futsal World Cup, and Spain one of three ever-presents, it’s fair to say that this match will be full to the brim with experience. Both have a trio returning for their third tournament – where in 2008 Iran fought to the quarter-finals and Spain finished second – while the European side have six amongst their ranks to have reached the final.

The Asian champions stormed to the AFC crown back in February, scoring eight goals per game on average, while Spain had laid down an impressive marker themselves a couple of days earlier, beating Russia 7-3 in the UEFA Futsal EURO final. Both will be intent on transferring that pedigree from their own continents to South America early on.


The other matches
Argentina begin their eighth tournament against a Kazakhstan side returning after a 16-year hiatus, having not featured since Guatemala 2000. Arriving off the back of their Copa America triumph a year ago – though falling to Brazil in the qualifying finale earlier this year – La Albiceleste will be hoping to kick-start at a tilt for at least a second semi-final appearance.

Morocco begin their campaign against new boys Azerbaijan, with the north Africans returning for their second tournament, having taken their first steps at Thailand 2012. Having not escaped the group stages that time, captain Adil Habil – who struck the last-minute winner in the CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations – will be hoping to get off to a strong start in Medellin.

Across in Bucaramanga, OFC champions Solomon Islands take on CONCACAF counterparts Costa Rica. Despite five tournament appearances and 16 games between them, they’ve chalked up just three wins, so both will be hoping to give their knockout hopes an early boost.


Player to watch
Leandro Cuzzolino (ARG)

Back for a second time, the 29-year-old forward was in fine form as Argentina booked their place in Colombia, hitting five goals en route to the qualifying final. Having cut his World Cup teeth with three goals in Thailand, the forward will no doubt be keen to hit the ground running.

The stat
5 – Solomon Island’s OFC Futsal Championship win in February was their fifth title – all of which have been won in Fiji. Of all the times they have appeared there, only twice have they not walked away victorious.

The words
“Our focus should be on our first game against Morocco. Those three points would be invaluable for our chances of going through,” Rizvan Farzaliyev, Azerbaijan

Match schedule

Group E
Solomon Islands-Costa Rica (18:00)
Argentina-Kazakhstan (20:00)

Group F
Morocco-Azerbaijan (18:00)
Iran-Spain (20:00)


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