Courtesy: Fox Sports


Australia survive late Mozambique comeback to win opening Futsal World Cup match

AUSTRALIA survived a late scare to win their opening match at a FIFA Fustal World Cup for the first time ever.

Mozambique scored two late goals within three minutes, but the Futsalroos hung on to triumph 3-2 after their three strikes inside the first 19 minutes.

However, the game easily could have ended a draw, if not for a fantastic save by replacement goalkeeper Roberto Maiorana with twenty seconds remaining. The keeper used his legs to block an effort from Mozambique’s Dany to preserve three points that could see the Futsalroos reach the round of 16 for the first time.

Australia dominated the opening stages as both nations found their feet at the Coliseo Bicentenario in Bucaramanga, Colombia, but the African debutants should have taken the lead.

A breakaway from Mozambique’s Favito hit the post, before Richardinho was denied by Australia’s goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou. The Canberra Olympic player, who scored a penalty against Redlands United, frustrated his opposition throughout the match by constantly patrolling his area.

While a patient approach to the game failed to pay-off for Mozambique, Australia opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

Daniel Fogarty’s tenaciously won a tackle before stabbing a pass to Jonathan Barrientos to slide the ball under Nelson and into the far corner of Mozambique’s goal.

It got better for the Futsalroos eight minutes later when Adam Cooper, who had already stung the palms of the Mozambique shot-stopper, thumped a long shot under the keeper after a return pass from Blake Rosier.

Only minutes later, Australia hit their third goal when Greg Giovenali chased down a ball that looked a lost cause after Nelson’s rushed clearance. Fortune was with Australia’s skipper as the ball ricocheted off his shins and into an open net.

The crowd willed Mozambique back into the match in the second period, and they found their first goal when Calo’s shot went through the legs of Wade Giovenali and into the net.

Captain Dino slotted a second goal to put Australia on the ropes, but Mozambique couldn’t find a third in the remaining five minutes.

It was a nailbiting finish that saw the Futsalroos almost add a fourth into an unguarded opposition net. Daniel Fogarty (twice), Wade Giovenali and Tobias Seeto all threatened from long distance, but to no avail.

In the end it didn’t matter as Australia claimed a rare World Cup win. Next up, Australia face Brazil, while Mozambique pay Ukraine.


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