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Gaps open in Mundialito de Clubes groups as Braga and Spartak make the knockout stages
The second day of the Mundialito de Clubes in Moscow saw the first teams make it to the next round with one group game still to go.
Reigning champions Braga are through to the semi-finals after ending Grasshopper Zurich’s hopes of glory in the Russian capital, while Alanya kept Group A wide open by defeating the Japanese champions, Tokyo Verde.
Joing Braga were Spartak Moscow, whose extra time victory over Flamengo saw the Brazilian side resigned to yet another year without claiming the title, and four strikes from Lucao helped Lokomotiv overturn a stubborn Levante to top their group.
Tokyo Verde (JPN) 4-6 Alanya Belediyespor (TUR)
After a disappointing opening game on Wednesday, Alanya Belediyespor were keen to make an impression against fellow debutants on day two, and early strikes from 2018 Rising Star Moradi and Yucel put the Turkish side in front.
But a rocket from Japanese talisman Ozu brought the difference back to a single goal before the break, until Stankovic curled a freekick into the top corner to make it 1-3. However, the Japanese were back just moments later when Mateusinho converted a freekick of his own and the second period finished with the one-goal gap restored.
As the third period got underway, Catarino levelled the match up, but suddenly Alanya moved into a superior gear and the Tokyo team became increasingly pinned back as Brendo retook the lead.
Moradi then poked in a fourth amongst some confusion in the box and Cem Keskin made it six with two minutes to go. Catarino managed to bag his second but it wasn’t enough to rescue the game and the side now have three points apiece, opening Group A right up.
Goals: 0-1: Moradi, min. 8 (1); 0-2: Yucel, min. 5 (1); 1-2: Ozu, min. 3 (1); 1-3: Stankovic, min. 11 (2); 2-3: Mateusinho, min. 8 (2); 3-3: Catarino, min. 9 (3); 3-4: Brendo, min. 7 (3); 3-5: Moradi, min. 4 (3); 3-6: Cem Keskin, min. 2 (3); 4-6: Catarino, min. 0 (3);
SC Braga (POR) 8-3 Grasshopper CZ (SUI)
Day one saw Braga take an initial win and Grasshopper suffer a crushing defeat to their hosts, and the match between the sides saw the form continue as Bokinha blasted in an opening freekick. Jordan then hit his fourth of the tournament, but Bernardo hit back for the Swiss to make it 2-1.
Before the break the defending champs had pushed the advantage to three goals, thanks to Bruno Torres and Filipe. The Portuguese giants struggled to extend their lead in the next 12 minutes, and Voitok rounded the keeper to cut the score to 4-2.
But Filipe picked the defender’s pocket and blasted in number five to restore the three-goal cushion just before the break. Be Martins scored not long after the restart, but Andre turned a Grasshopper corner into his own net to make it 6-3.
Jordan was on hand to make up for the defensive error, securing his brace for the day and Bokinha smashed in a second of his own to take the final score to a convincing 8-3, as Braga move to the top of Group B.
Goals: 1-0: Bokinha, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Jordan, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Bernardo, min. 6 (1); 3-1: Bruno, min. 4 (1); 4-1: Filipe, min. 1 (1); 4-2: Voitok, min. 4 (2); 5-2: Filipe, min. 0 (2); 6-2: Be Martins, min. 10 (3); 6-3: Andre (OG), min. 9 (3); 7-3: Jordan, min. 8 (3); 8-3: Bokinha, min. 6 (3);
Spartak Moscow (RUS) 3-2 CR Flamengo (BRA) *AET
Spartak had swept aside the Swiss Grasshoppers in their opening tie but Flamengo had missed out narrowly to the defending champions Braga, and were in urgent need of points against their hosts.
It was Zemskov, after scoring four in the previous match, who opened the scoring with a low freekick to put the Moscow side ahead. Flamengo battled on but were unable to find a breakthrough until Eudim netted just seconds before the break.
Despite building pressure and promising attacks at both ends, the match stayed tied and the scores remained unchanged right up until midway through the third period, when Jordan powered in a second for Spartak.
Just a minute later, Eudim equalised for the second time to force three added minutes, but when Shkarin was brought down near the halfway line with two minutes left, Andrade was unable to keep the low shot out of the Flamengo goal, and the Spartak fans erupted in the stands.
Flamengo gave away more dangerous freekicks in the final minute but Andrade made some brilliant saves to keep the Russians at bay but the damage was already done. Two wins for Spartak Moscow, and two defeats for Flamengo, mean that the Russians make the semi-finals and the Brazilians join Grasshopper Zurich in exiting the competition.
Goals: 1-0: Zemskov, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Eudim, min. 0 (1); 2-1: Jordan, min. 7 (3); 2-2: Eudim, min. 6 (3); 3-2: Shkarin, min. 1 (ET);
BSC Lokomotiv (RUS) 8-5 Levante (ESP)
Lokomotiv fell the right side of a 13-goal thriller against Levante on Thursday to all but seal their place in the semi-finals, while the Spanirads’ chances of making the knockouts now look very slim.
After scoring three on the first day in Moscow, the Brazilian Lucao was straight back at it and needed only seconds to break the deadlock with a sizzling strike. Edu Suarez then leveled up with a nice overhead but Lucao was there again to retake the lead.
Nikonorov turned in two more for Lokomotiv but Edu Suarez was there again to see the sides go into the second period at 4-2. The three players on the scoresheet were far from finished yet, as Edu scored his third, and then fourth, as the game went into the final period, while Lucao also scored four and Nikonorov bagged a hat-trick.
Lokomotiv keeper Behzadpour put away his second in as many days with a bulleted strike from distance, and not long after so did his opposite number Eliot. However, as the whistle ended the goal-fest it was the local side who came out on top and as a result also top the group.
Levante will face Alanya on Friday for what could be their last chance at victory at the Mundialito de Clubes, while Lokomotiv have all but sealed a semi-final spot.
Goals: 1-0: Lucao, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Edu Suarez, min. 10 (1); 2-1: Lucao, min. 10 (1); 3-1: Nikonorov, min. 8 (1); 3-2: Edu Suarez, min. 5 (1); 4-2: Nikonorov, min. 0 (1); 4-3: Edu Suarez, min. 8 (2); 5-3: Lucao, min. 10 (3); 6-3: Nikonorov, min. 7 (3); 6-4: Edu Suarez, min. 6 (3); 7-4: Behzadpour, min. 2 (3); 7-5: Eliot, min. 1 (3); 8-5: Lucao, min. 1 (3);
