Courtesy: FIFA.com


Semis set in stone

26 Sep 2016

THE DAY REPLAYED – The four teams who will see us through to the final day of FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 have been settled, as Russia and Iran were joined by Argentina and Portugal in the semi-finals.

Argentina’s place in the final four was never in doubt, as they rose through the gears against Egypt to see off the African side in some style. Five different goal-scorers got in on the act as La Albiceleste ensured there remains South American representation in the final stages, having seen Paraguay, Brazil and Colombia all fall in the knockout stage so far.

Portugal were forced to hold out against a resilient Azerbaijan side to line up a mouth-watering clash with Copa America holders in a decidedly more even affair in Cali. They were made to weather a late storm after Djo, Joao Matos and Ricardinho had registered for them, but navigate it they did as one of the pre-tournament favourites remain on course.


Results
Argentina 5-0 Egypt
Azerbaijan 2-3 Portugal

Memorable moments

Extroverts vs introverts
It wasn’t just Argentina and Egypt’s form on the day in Medellin that set them apart. Right from their arrivals at the Coliseo Ivan de Bedout the differences were stark. Argentina entered like a carnival, all smiles, songs and sound pouring from their dressing room pre-match, whereas Egypt remained quietly focussed as their coach talked them through their on-pitch warm-up. These attitudes seemed to transfer on the field, with Argentina expressive and open, while their opponents disciplined but ultimately playing within themselves. The final score ensured these trends were still present as they departed too, as Argentina raucously celebrated progression.

A wow moment
He has become well renowned for the jaw-dropping. People expect the astounding. Fans buy their tickets to see him shine. Following Falcao’s retirement, Ricardinho is arguably the biggest star in futsal and he ensured Portugal’s game was sprinkled with a dash of stardust. After Joao Matos’ drilled shot, Ricardinho flicked out a heel to guide it goalwards with the deftest of touches. The loud ‘woooooow’ emanating from the stands as it was replayed on the Coliseo el Pueblo’s giant screens indicated no one felt their pesos had been misspent.

The stat
28 – The combined number of years it has been since either of today’s victors graced a Futsal World Cup semi-final. Portugal last reached the final four at Guatemala 2000, eventually claiming a third-place finish, while four years later was Argentina’s last visit, coming a cropper at the hands of another Iberian side in the shape of Spain.

The words
"It was important for us to score two goals before half-time so we could relax a bit in the second half; the past few games have been quite a stressful experience as we tried to score in vain for so long. As a coach, I suffer the losses more and I enjoy the wins less." Argentina coach Diego Giustozzi

"I expected the match to be like that. They have very strong, very tall players, while my players are very short. We have been really tired after that hard match against Italy, but the experience we have had here provides us with good lessons for the future.” Hesham Saleh, Egypt coach


Next matchday

Tuesday 27 September

Semi-final
Iran-Russia (19:00, Medellin)

Local time



Courtesy: FIFA.com


Esmaeilpour, Iran’s man for the occasion

26 Sep 2016

Following Iran’s quarter-final triumph, when coach Seyed Nazemalsharieh said “our winning factor is being able to maintain our composure to the very last minute”, you wouldn’t have been surprised if he was picturing the tall figure of Ahmad Esmaeilpour.

In all honesty, it’s beginning to look like Iran’s No3 is a fan of the dramatic. The Asian champions have knocked out two South American sides in two games, with both exiting the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 courtesy of late interventions from his right foot.

While his winning penalty in the shootout with Brazil, following a pulsating 4-4 draw in the round of 16, was script-worthy stuff, his strike against Paraguay – coming just 22 seconds from another round of spot-kicks – was arguably even more dramatic. Locked at 3-3 following a cat-and-mouse encounter, with both pulling clear before being pegged back, a shot by Mahdi Javid was parried into his path.

“It was like something fell from the sky,” he recalled to FIFA.com, picturing the ball skipping up off the court and into his path. “It’s a moment that I can’t really describe. In that instance I was a little bit anxious, worried I might not take the opportunity, but all I was thinking about was connecting with the shot. I knew it could change the destiny of our team.”

And that’s what he’s done in successive games, each celebrated in similarly ecstatic style. “They were both very sweet moments, and will remain as real treasured memories forever."

Were they something less common from his hammer of a right, and his second goal not so dramatic, all the talk could easily have been about Iran’s 1-1 leveller – a sweetly-struck missile that was laser-guided into the top corner from 12 metres. “It’s not the first time I’ve scored a goal like that,” he said with a knowing look.

Winding up his traction engine of a leg and attempting similar efforts all night – one of his main priorities – you can tell he loves the sight of the ball whistling into that top corner. “Everyone enjoys scoring spectacular goals like that,” he added.

No doubt a feeling his team-mate Javid shares, having struck a near-identical effort later in the game. But whose was better, Esmaeilpour’s or Javid’s? “That’s for others to judge, it’s not for me to say, but personally I enjoyed Javid’s goal,” he replied with a wry smile – one which morphed into a laugh when complimented on his diplomacy.


New heights in sight
But Esmaeilpour’s goals have more than just won them the games on the day, his last-gasp heroics have seen Iran equal their best-ever Futsal World Cup performance, dating back to a fourth-place finish in 1992. “It’s been 24 years since we last reached the semi-finals, so our first aim was to equal that, which we’ve fulfilled, so the very least we want to achieve now is finish third and get a medal.”

The obstacle they have to negotiate to exceed that target is Russia, a prospect that disappoints the rangy pivot – but not for a reason you might think. “Some of us had hoped to be facing Spain, because we’re very driven to make amends for the mistakes we made in the opening game,” he said, looking back to humbling start to the tournament.

“We believe the difference between the two teams is not reflected at 5-1. We would have like to have had that chance, but the next opponent is Russia and we’re ready.”

And having seen Spain’s elimination ensure we will have a new champion crowned, why not Iran? “Certainly, that’s what we’re hoping for.”



Courtesy: FIFA.com


Giantkillers go head-to-head

26 Sep 2016

Although reaching the semi-finals of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016 is an achievement in itself, the final four teams are now setting their sights on even higher targets. A win at this stage guarantees a place on the podium and puts title dreams within reach. After a long and strenuous tournament, the remaining sides must summon all their remaining strength if they are to take these final steps. FIFA.com looks ahead to the first semi-final.


Match of the day
Iran-Russia, Coliseo Ivan de Bedout, Medellin, 19:00 (local time)
This match could be every bit as entertaining as the final, as it pits the Asian champions against the European runners-up. Both teams have overcome significant obstacles to reach the last four. Iran defeated tournament favourites and five-time world champions Brazil in the Round of 16. Despite falling behind three times, twice by two goals, Team Melli managed to take the encounter to extra time and penalties, where they held their nerve to defeat the South Americans. They had a similar experience in the quarter-finals, where Paraguay led twice before Iran recovered to secure the win in extra time.

In contrast, Russia had to ensure they did not rest on their laurels after taking the lead. Despite giving away a three-goal advantage within a few minutes after half-time in their opening match against Thailand, the Eastern Europeans ultimately prevailed before negotiating their other games with relative ease. Having secured a long-awaited victory over perennial adversaries Spain in the last round after losing to the Iberians at both the last Futsal World Cup and February’s Futsal EURO, Russia are becoming increasingly confident of winning their first world title.


Player to watch

Eder Lima (Russia)
Eder Lima initially struggled for form in Colombia, four years after becoming top goalscorer in Thailand with nine strikes to his name. Nevertheless, the 32-year-old appears to be getting back to his lethal best as the competition enters its final stages, scoring twice against Spain to bring his tournament tally to six goals. Iran will need to get to grips with him if they want to survive against Russia.

The stat
10 – While Iran have collected ten yellow cards in the tournament so far, more than any other team, only Farhad Tavakoli will miss the semi-final due to suspension. Luckily for the Asian side, all cards are disregarded after the quarter-finals, which means no player already carrying a booking will play in the last four fearing that another warning will deny them the chance to play in the final. Despite Russia boasting a more reasonable total of six yellow cards in the tournament so far, their player Romulo will sit out the semi-final after seeing red in their last match.

The words
"We’ve already contested plenty of friendlies against Russia, so we know how we have to play against them. To win, we’ll need to stay calm right to the final whistle and stick to our gameplan."
Iran coach Seyed Nazemalsharieh


Match schedule

Semi-final, Tuesday 27 September 2016
Iran-Russia (19:00, Medellin)

Semi-final, Wednesday 28 September 2016
Argentina-Portugal (19:00, Cali)
(All times local)




Courtesy: FIFA.com


Egypt’s Eika puts on a brave face

26 Sep 2016

It was with tired eyes and slumped shoulders that a dejected Ibrahim Eika appeared at the entrance to the dressing rooms at the Coliseo Ivan de Bedout in Medellin. With Egypt having just lost 5-0 to Argentina in the quarter-finals of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016, it was the end of an exciting adventure for the Pharaohs No7.

“We were running on empty,” said Eika in calm yet sad voice, reflecting on his side’s 40-minute nightmare against the Argentinians. “We came up short in every area. We lacked strength and concentration. We’d given everything we had against Italy.” There can be no question about that. Eika and his team-mates invested all their energies in beating La Squadra Azzurra 4-3 in the last 16, a game in which they took the lead three times before finishing the job off in extra-time.

In battling their way past the Italians, Egypt checked into the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in their history. Asked to pick out a highlight of their ground-breaking run, the 28-year-old defender summoned up a smile and said: “That match against Italy. I’ll never forget that win or the feeling of excitement that came with the fourth goal.”

Despite the heavy defeat to Argentina, Eika accentuated the positive as he took stock of Egypt’s Colombia 2016 campaign: “I’m a little disappointed because I really would have liked to have made the semi-finals. We’re going to finish seventh or eighth but we’ve had a really good tournament.” There can be no arguing about that, especially as Egyptian futsal is still very much in its infancy.


A happy homecoming
The north African nation lacks a domestic championship, severely limiting the options open to team coach Hesham Saleh, who had this to say after his side’s exit: “I have only about seven or eight players who are good enough for a Futsal World Cup.” Discussing Egypt’s lack of international exposure, Eika, the smallest player in the tournament at 5’3 (1.59m), said: “Only Mostafa Nader and Moza have taken part in the world finals before. The rest of us are all making our debuts at this level, and I only came into the national team a couple of years ago.”

The Pharaohs hope their compelling run in Colombia will help make the sport more popular back home, while Eika, who plays his club futsal for Misr El-Makasa, would like to see the national team in action more often and for their results to get more coverage: “It would be great to play teams like Spain, Argentina, Italy and Brazil more regularly. We’d make a lot faster progress.”

In the meantime, the Egyptians will now have to pack their bags and head back home, though Eika is thrilled at the prospect of seeing his parents, wife and three-year-old daughter Maya again. They too will no doubt be excited at the return of their Futsal World Cup hero. Though they have been chatting every day online, the doting young father has plenty of stories to tell his little girl.

With head held high, shoulders straight and a smile restored to his face, Eika headed off to join his colleagues on the team bus. He had good reason to feel pleased with himself. Despite the defeat to Argentina, Colombia 2016 has been a very satisfying experience for Egypt.


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