After impressing against Argentina, Kazakhstan got their first FIFA Futsal World Cup points as they saw off Costa Rica 3-1 in Bucaramanga to keep their Colombia 2016 knockout round hopes alive.
There was a real intensity to this game, no doubt in part to Kazakhstan wasting no time in getting on the scoresheet, with Douglas firing in. Costa Rica came back though, as the ball flowed from end to end, with energy, adventure and invention all on show, but little end product.
The defensive commitment on both sides was lung-busting, but Costa Rica were fashioning the greater of the chances, so it was a deserved leveller when a neat passing move ended in Alejandro Paniagua firing in off the upright.
Douglas was exceptionally unlucky not to double his tally when he hit the same post twice in a matter of seconds, but he didn’t have to wait long to go ahead as Pavel Taku put them back in front. They then stretched that lead right after the break, courtesy of a delightful Leo flick, as they fashioned the lion’s share of the clear chances.
Higuita, such an outlandish feature in Kazakhstan’s first match, was decidedly more subdued, but his excellence at one-on-ones ensured the European side made it over the line. The race for the next round sees Costa Rica battle with Argentina, while Solomon Islands will be Kazakhstan's final Group E match.
