First winners see Tahiti closer

Russia, Spain, Ukraine and Netherlands get ahead in the last group stage of the FBSWC 2013 ? Qualifier Moscow

Zborovskiy fixes things for defending champions in last breath

Hungary were close to upset Ukraine in the opening game of the decisive second group stage of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 – Qualifier Moscow. Only a brilliant bicycle kick by forward Oleg Zborovskiy with just 46 seconds to final whistle untied the game and gave the defending champions the valuable first three points in that last stage to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013.

No opponent is easy up to this stage in the European Qualifier, but when Zborobskiy and Pachev got things 2-0 for the Ukrainians in the first minutes, everything seemed to point to a non-problematic afternoon for Kucherenko’s side. But a defensive malfunction, a very weird phenomenon in the current champions, got Hungary on the pursuit, with Fekete tapping the 1-2 in. From that moment on, the Magyar were more incisive, what brought them to Besenyei’s 2-2 by mid second period.

After the Hungarian equalizer, De Celis’ side kept controlling the ball, looking to Sidorenko’s end, and that were the worst moments for Ukraine. After the second break, though, the Ukrainians made one step forth and went for the game. Despite their different attitude, things did not work for most of the period, and the final whistle was, time after time, closer. The title-holders could not afford missing one point in this first match of the decisive stage, and geared up before it was too late. Only their last attempt,  with Zborovskiy’s great overhead kick, Ukraine found the inspiration they needed to clinch the first three points, which mean a lot in this last phase to Tahiti 2013. 

Goals : 0-1 : Zborovskiy, min. 9 (1) ; 0-2 : Pachev, min. 8 (1) ; 1-2 : Fekete, min. 8 (1) ; 2-2 : Besenyei, min. 8 (2) ; 2-3 : Zborovskiy, min. 0 (3) ;

Russia knocks Belarus down in the third period

If Ukraine had a difficult time edging Hungary in the opening game of this decisive stage, Russia found things nothing easier to seal their first three points and keep all their options untouched to earn the tickets to Tahiti. It was not until the third period of the game that Makarov could bend the surprising Belarus, who are leading a terrific performance in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 – Qualifier Moscow.

Indeed, the Belarusian took an early lead in the game, keeping it all the first period long. After Shvaiba’s opener, the World Champions did not find the way to equalize the match and, instead, Bryshtsel widened the hosts’ wound with the 2-1. That second slap definitely awoke Russia, and Shaykov cut the distance before the first horn. Likhachev’s side regarded the second period as the moment to turn things around, and Leonov was the first to field that idea, sending a delicate lob that flew past Makarevich to find the equalizer, with Shishin to complete the comeback three minutes later.

Belarus had not had their last say in the match, though, and Bryshtsel hit again to level things back, having the 3-3 remain until the end of that second leg. Clock was ticking dangerously down in the last period of the game, and any mistake by Russia could mean Belarus taking the chance to ruin the evening and making things really difficult for the hosts. Fortunately for them, Makarov would not let that happen, and with two goals in the last stage of the match sealed the win and bagged the first three golden points for Likhachev’s side.

Goals: 1-0: Shvaiba, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Bryshtsel, min. 1 (1); 2-1: Shaykov, min. 1 (1); 2-2: Leonov, min. 10 (2); 2-3: Shishin, min. 7 (2); 3-3: Bryshtsel, min. 5 (2); 3-4: Makarov, min. 8 (3); 3-5: Makarov, min. 2 (3);

The penalty kick shootout smiles Netherlands

France found a totally different ending today to the penalty kick shootout. Luck was this afternoon at the Netherlands National Team’s side, who, after Mendy’s last attempt flying high over Van der Geest’s crossbar bag the first two points in the last group stage of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 – Qualifier Moscow, joining Ukraine on top of group A.

Thirteen shots had been taken in the shootout when the turn came to Mendy. All of the previous takers, but Summerville and Samoun in the very previous round, had sent their attempts in, even his counterpart in this duel, Kaleveld. That added, of course, extra pressure to the French number 12 that could only cover his face when the ball got lost over the Dutch goal.

That was the perfect dramatic end for the Orange, who had came to the penalty shootout after seeing Les Bleus neutralizing , twice, a two-goal advantage. Van Gessel’s hat trick had a lot to do with the leading role by the Kokmeijer-coached side, but France always managed to stand up again to punch back their opponent. François, with a superb free kick almost from the halfway line, was the one sending the match into extra time with just two minutes to go.

These two hard fought points, despite getting the Dutch in the second place of the table in group A (which would grant them the place in Tahiti should things end this way), have both Belarus and France keeping options to live the Polynesian dream. They cannot fail again, though.

Goals: 0-1: Van Gessel, min. 11 (1); 0-2: Van Gessel, min. 11 (1); 1-2: Basquaise, min. 11 (1); 2-2 : Basquiase, min. 6 (2); 2-3 : Tosch, min. 3 (2) ; 2-4 : Van Gessel, min. 9 (3) ; 3-4 : Pagis, min. 6 (3) ; 4-4 : François, min. 2 (3)

Penalty kick :  Rawidjan, in ; Edouard, in ; Tosch, in, François, in; Ax, in; Fayos, in; Van Gessel, in; Basquaise, in; Van der Ouweland, in; Pagis in; Summerville, out; Samoun; out, Kaleveld, in; A. Mendy, out.

Spain steps ahead in group B

Spain made a significant step forth this evening in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 – Qualifier Moscow, after beating Poland in their first game in this decisive second group phase. With the 3-5 victory over the Polish, Spaniards get on top of Group B, and a victory over Ukraine tomorrow would get them straight to Tahiti 2013.

Despite being the first game of a group phase, both Poland and Spain knew that today was a key game in their aspirations of getting into the best two of the group. Tension was absolutely noticed before the game’s kick off, as none of them forgot that a defeat today would make the way much harder. Acknowledging that, Saganowski unleashed an early opener for his side, catching Alonso’s side by surprise. Fortunately for them, Antonio counteracted before it was not too late.

The stroke exchange from then on got Spain ahead by the end of the second period, and the Spaniards proved much more comfortable when taking the lead. Now they gave Poland the responsibility to look up front, and took advantage of that through dangerous counterattacks. In the fourth minute of that last leg, Amarelle widened the distance and made things even tougher for Saganowski’s side. Poland was not dead, though,and Ziober’s 3-4 plus a penalty kick miraculously saved by Dona could have meant equalizer. But the Spanish goalie prevented that for happen, maintaining an advantage that Juanma would immediately widen again to secure the final triumph by La Roja. 

Goals: 1-0: Saganowski, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Antonio, min. (1); 2-1: Saganowski, min. 10 (2); 2-2: Juanma, min. 5 (2); 2-3: Cristian T., min. 1 (2); 2-4: Amarelle, min. 8 (3); 3-4: Ziober, min. 5 (3); 3-5: Juanma, min. 3 (3);

FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2013 – QUALIFIER MOSCOW

Groups for Group Phase 2 – Decider
Best two ranked teams in each group qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013

Group A
Netherlands
Belarus
Russia
France

Group B
Ukraine
Poland
Spain
Hungary

Results today

Group Phase 2

16:00 – Hungary 2-3 Ukraine
17:15 – Belarus 3-5 Russia
18:30 – France 4(5)-4(6) Netherlands
19 :45 – Poland 3-5 Spain

Matches for tomorrow

16:00 – Poland vs Hungary
17:15 – Belarus vs France
18:30 – Netherlands vs Russia
19 :45 – Ukraine vs Spain

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