Courtesy: The AFC.com


UZzbekistan exit FIFA Futsal World Cup after losing to Portugal

Sep 17 2016

Medellin: Uzbekistan crashed out of the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup after losing 5-1 to Portugal in their last Group Stage match at the Coliseo Ivan de Bedout on Friday (local time).
The Uzbeks completed their campaign bottom of Group A while Portugal finished as the group winners thanks to a hat-trick from star man Ricardinho in their victory over the Central Asians.

A lapse of concentration from Uzbekistan midway through the first half led to Portugal's opener. Ricardinho was left unmarked in the penalty area and the three-time World Futsal Player of the Year made no mistake. However, Portugal's captain then scored at the wrong end when a corner deflected off him into his own goal.

Thailand 2012 Bronze Ball winner Ricardinho continued to be at the centre of the action as he then made up for his own goal when he stabbed a shot past Uzbekistan goalkeeper Rustam Umarov with just over six minutes to go in the first half.

The Portuguese captain picked up where he left off at the beginning of the second half as he scored from a volley to complete his hat-trick and give the Portuguese a two-goal cushion. Four minutes later Andre extended the lead.

Portugal's fifth and final goal on the night was their most spectacular. Ricardinho successfully pulled off a rainbow flick in the build-up before Djo finished off a brilliant team move.

Uzbekistan depart Colombia but leave with the consolation of having scored in each match and finishing level with hosts Colombia on their second matchday.

Scorer for Uzbekistan:
Ricardinho (10’49” OG)



Courtesy: The AFC.com


Thailand through to FIFA Futsal World Cup round of 16

Sep 17 2016

Medellin: Thailand became the first Asian nation to secure their place in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 knockout stages with a 2-1 win over Egypt on Friday (local time).
With so much riding on this game, with Thailand only ahead in second on goals scored, the stakes seemed to weigh both sides down, as poor decisions and poor execution limited either’s opportunities to take their future into their own hands.

This was typified by the showings of star names Suphawut Thuenkland and Ahmed Moza, whose wayward shooting was in stark contrast to moments of class they’ve shown so far in Colombia. The opening goal was a perfect reflection of the game, flicking in off the unfortunate Ibrahim Eika’s knee to hand Thailand the lead. The fact Egypt led the shots on target 2-0 at half-time said it all.

But Miguel Conde’s side woke up after the break and Jirawat Sornwichian rolled the ball out of his feet and fired low past Gamal Abdelnaser. There was certainly more intent in the second period from both sides, though the profligacy hardly dispersed fully.

Neither keeper had their busiest of nights, but the tension did raise a few notches as Abdelrahman Elashwal bundled in with a couple of minutes to go, before Egypt struck the post in the final minute. However, Thailand held on and now go through in second, with Egypt facing a wait to see if three points is enough.

Scorers for Thailand:
Ibrahim Eika (5'09" OG)
Jirawat Sornwichian (22'01")




Courtesy: The AFC.com


Australia on the brink after 3-1 loss to Ukraine

Sep 18 2016

Bucaramanga: Australia were left on the brink after they lost their last Group Stage match to Ukraine 3-1 in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 on Saturday (local time).
The Asian side now need heavy defeats for the third-placed sides in Group E and F to make it through to the Round of 16 while Ukraine concluded their Group D campaign in second spot to set up a meeting with the winner of Group E. The Australians will learn their fate after Groups E and F wrap up on Sunday (local time).

Ukraine, who were in the driving seat with a vastly superior goal difference, looked to dictate the game, but were met with an Australia side with little to lose. A draw would have taken both sides through, with status quo intact, but after an even opening the pendulum swung further in the Europeans’ favour, as Angelo Konstantinou in the Australia goal let Sergiy Zhurba’s shot squirm underneath him.

The Futsalroos remained resilient, though and threatened, utilising the counter-attacking tactics that had seen them pierce the armour of Brazil – though their deep line suited Ukraine’s propensity to shoot from range.

Without Ievgen Ivanyak – suspended after seeing red against Mozambique – deputy Dmytro Lytvynenko was given a few nervy moments, but Dean Lockhart’s goal-saving block was the closest either came to troubling the scoreboard again in the first half.

The pattern of play held in the second half, with Ukraine shading the action but Australia looking lively – particularly through the quick feet of Daniel Fogarty. As pressure grew from Oleksandr Kosenko’s side as they looked to close the game out, Mykola Bilotserkivets had the ball in the back of the net – but only via an arm.

They didn’t have to wait long to have a second register though, as stand-in captain rattled in off the post from distance to leave Australia with a mountain to climb. Chris Zeballos tapped in to provide hope, only for it to be dashed by a Denys Osvannikov goal.

Australia scorer:
Chris Zeballos (37’,33”)



Courtesy: The AFC.com


Vietnam made to wait following defeat to Italy

Sep 18 2016

Bucaramanga: Vietnam were made to wait to see if they are among the contenders in the Round of 16 of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2016 after they bowed down to heavyweights Italy 2-0 on Saturday (local time).
The Vietnamese finished third in Group C and now need heavy losses for fellow third-placed finishers in Groups E and F which will conclude on Sunday (local time) to progress to the knockout stages. Italy, meanwhile, advanced to the Round of 16 with a perfect record.

The Italians played with the comfort of already having a place in the next round, but with dropping to second certainly possible, it perhaps took Vietnam rattling the bar to get them in shape. Captain Gabriel Lima ensured that they earned some early security by rifling home the opener.

Italy were giving the fleet-footed Vietnamese side no room to breathe as they pressed high and snuffed out resulting counterattacks quickly and efficiently. While their elegance in managing the game was striking – moving as an Azzurri wave across the blue court, Vietnam did find opportunities to threaten.

The closest of which coming when Duc Hoa Pham showed great strength to shake off his marker before rattling Stefano Mammarella’s upright. But with their eyes looking forward they were undone at back, when a quick Luca Leggiero corner caught Vietnam half asleep and Murilo Ferreira slotted it in to give his side their third straight win.


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