Paraguay revived their 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup campaign on the back of a stunning first-half display to defeat Vietnam 7-1 in Medellin on Wednesday.
Looking to bounce back after a first-up defeat against Italy, Paraguay turned on the style against Vietnam to score five unanswered goals by half-time.
It was a clinical display from the South Americans who took full advantage of a slow-starting Vietnam side that had impressed in defeating Guatemala on the group’s opening matchday.
Francisco Martinez capitalised on good teamwork to fire home inside three minutes, but it was a three-minute three-goal salvo midway through the opening half that left debutants Vietnam stunned.
Paraguay’s quick and accurate ball movement left Vietnam chasing shadows at times, and the south-east Asians struggled to maintain the ball when the opportunity arose.
To their credit, Vietnam regrouped in the second period and enjoyed more possession that their opponents, although there was to be no reward until Van Vu Tran scored with virtually the last kick of the match.
In fact it was La Albirroja who had the better of the half, at least according to the scoresheet, as Richard Rejala and Juan Pedrozo both netted in the final seven minutes.
Paraguay will now conclude their Group C campaign against the winless Guatemala, while Vietnam face a tough task against European heavyweights Italy.
