?Fla? and Lokomotiv to decide who is the best

Carioca and Muscovite will fight at the final of the II Mundialito de Clubes after beating Vasco and Sporting in semifinals

Lokomotiv takes revenge on Sporting and gets to the final in an unforgettable match

Lokomotiv took their revenge on Sporting Portugal in the semifinals of the II Mundialito de Clubes. The Muscovite side, in an amazing, unforgettable beach soccer spectacle with up to 17 goals, paid the Lisboan back for their elimination at that same round last year, and will be facing Flamengo in the final of the tournament.

After Shaykov swept the Russian side ahead by mid first period, there was only one moment in which Lokomotiv were not in command of the score. It was only some seconds, though, the ones between Belchior’s equalizer when first leg was almost finished, and Makarov’s reply, proving that there was still room enough in that gap to make some things happen. Just in case  it was not clear enough, the Russian number four sent even another ball in to have the score 1-3 before the horn.

Although it was Sporting the ones to hit back after the break, the second period became the turning point of the match.  During that, Lokomotiv laid the foundations of their win today, turning the 2-3 into an almost definitive 2-7, with a new  turn of the screw with Leonov’s 2-8. Sporting could not stay without fighting in front of such a smashing performance, and tried to counteract and change a loud score which was not reflecting the amazingly equal level of both contenders. Madjer and Fernando DDI cut the distance a bit, but the road was too steep, and too long to have things changing drastically.

Before seeing the Leões too close, Daniel widened the gap again, with the 5-9, and so did Gorchinsky when DDI scored again for the 6-10. Almost over the final whistle, green and white number ten hit again, but that changed nothing, as Lokomotiv had both feet on tomorrow’s final.

Goals: 0-1: Shaykov, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Belchior, min. 0 (1); 1-2: Makarov, min. 0 (1); 1-3: Makarov, min. 0 (1); 2-3: Rui Coimbra, min. 10 (2); 2-4: Daniel, min. 10 (2); 2-5: Makarov, min. 9 (2); 2-6: Shaykov, min. 7 (2); 2-7: Borsuk, min. 3 (2); 2-8: Leonov, min. 10 (3); 3-8: Madjer, min. 10 (3); 4-8: Madjer, min. 9 (3); 5-8: Fernando DDI, min. 6 (3); 5-9: Daniel, min. 1 (3); 6-9: Fernando DDI, min. 1 (3); 6-10: Gorchinskiy, min. 0 (3); 7-10: Fernando DDI, min. 0 (3)

Flamengo to fight for the crown

Flamengo denied Vasco’s expectations to get in their first final of the Mundialito de Clubes. With their securing their place in the battle for the crown, the ‘Rubronegro’ side secures the chance of improving their previous records: the third place clinched last year, precisely, against Lokomotiv Moscow, the side they are facing in the competition’s decission.

Current champions Vasco da Gama were the ones to hit first in this semifinals fixture, with Bruno Xavier taking on a penalty to sweep the Gigante da Colina ahead. That advantage lasted quite a while, with Flamengo founding no cracks at the Vascaino spirited defensive system. But, finally, Bernardo found that crack. And not once…but twice, as the ‘Fla’ forward managed to turn the score around five minutes afterwards. The control of the match shifted hands, and it was now Vasco da Gama the ones unable to get to the opposite nets. Instead, Benjamin added one more goal to its never-ending tally to widen the distance and extend his legend.

Although Bruno Xavier replied Benjamin’s hit quite soon, last period turned to be not enough for title-holders to brush this disadvantage away. Flamengo managed to bloc all shots, cut the harm-doing passes, and never let their opponents a comfortable position, displaying an amusing stamina. The final whistle confirmed a change in the Brazilian club’s term of office, granting Flamengo the chance of crowning themselves kings of the world.

Goals: 0-1: Bruno Xavier, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Bernardo, min. 8 (2); 2-1: Bernardo, min. 3 (2); 3-1: Benjamin, min. 10 (3); 3-2: Bruno Xavier, min. 9 (3)

The schedule for tomorrow’s finals goes as follows:

Sunday, May 19th
8.45am – Sporting Portugal vs Vasco da Gama (3rd/4th place)
10.15am – Lokomotiv vs Flamengo (FINAL)