Courtesy: Fox News Latino


Portugal edges Azerbaijan 3-2 at FIFA Futsal World Cup

September 26, 2016

CALI – Portugal rounded out the group of semifinalists at the 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Colombia after edging Azerbaijan in a close contest, and now seeks to score its way into the finals against Argentina, which eliminated Egypt.

The other semifinal will be disputed Tuesday by Russia, which ousted Spain, and Iran, which stopped Paraguay after previously derailing the favorite and five-time champion, Brazil.

The Portuguese squad, contesting this global championship for the fifth time, found in first-time participant Azerbaijan this Sunday a tough rival that never stopped seeking victory but was particularly frustrated by goalkeeper Bebe, who saved his team on numerous occasions.

The back-and-forth game first favored Portugal in minute 7 when Djo received a corner shot and headed it past goalkeeper Kurdov for the first score.

But Azerbaijan evened it up at minute 11 when Bolinha, one of its star strikers, netted a goal.

Joao Matos put Portugal ahead once more at minute 17 to make it a 2-1 match at halftime.

Though Azerbaijan came out strong in the second half, Ricardinho deftly heeled the ball into the net to widen Portugal's advantage to 3-1 at minute 27.

Azerbaijan wasn't about to toss in the towel, however, and at minute 34 cut its rival's lead to 3-2.

All was not lost, and the final minutes saw an intense effort by an Azerbaijan looking for every way possible to tie the game, but which in the end was fended off by a Portugal whose goalkeeper Bebe blocked some dangerous shots at goal to guide his team into the quarterfinals.


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