Kazakhstan finished second in Group E at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 after a resounding 10-0 victory over Solomon Islands at the Coliseo Ivan de Bedout on Sunday.
The European side dominated the first half in Medellin. They took the lead through Alexandr Dovgan, who easily tapped home Leo’s low driven pass at the far post. Arnold Knaub then doubled Kazakstan’s advantage with a neat chip past Solomon Islands goalkeeper Phillip Mango. Douglas made it 3-0 after firing through the legs of Mango, before Leo completed the first-half scoring with a close-range finish.
Any hopes of a Solomon Islands comeback were soon dashed after the break, as Kazakstan added to their goal total. A brace from Pavel Taku followed Knaub’s second goal of the match shortly after the restart. Douglas then scored his second before Ilya Mun made it 9-0. Nikolay Pengrin then took the scoreline into double digits with a fine finish.
Despite heading to a heavy defeat, the Pacific Islanders had their chances to find the net themselves. Alvin Hou went closest with a powerful long-range shot that struck the far post in the second half.
With Argentina and Costa Rica drawing 2-2 in Bucaramanga on Sunday, Kazakhstan finished as runners-up in Group E and will face the winners of Group F in a Round of 16 clash in Medellin on Wednesday. Solomon Islands’ last-place finish in Group E ends their Colombia 2016 campaign.
