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Wins for Italy, Belarus, Spain and Russia see the first points claimed in the second round of group stages in Moscow
The first day of the second round of group stages at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2019 – Europe Qualifier Moscow witnessed shocks, comebacks and upsets.
Russia netted nine against a lack-lustre Swiss side while Belarus dented Portugal’s hopes of qualifying to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay.
In the day’s other matches, Italy had to work hard for their three points against Poland, and Spain turned the tables on Azerbaijan to take the match with a comfortable three-goal cushion
Russia rout the Swiss in Moscow for the three points
Having made it to the second group stage, the competition now intensified for Russia and Switzerland. But the game wasn’t as tight as many may have predicted…
Makarov got the hosts off the mark swiftly when his powerful overhead bounced off the sand to chip the stranded Swiss keeper. Just a minute later Russia lead by two when Krash set himself up for a cheeky volley. Angelo Schirinzi’s men were unable to find a response in the opening period, but at this point were only two behind.
However, two became three when Romanov bundled Shishin’s shot over the line. Stankovic pulled one back with a volley but that didn’t disrupt the Russian momentum as Makarov took a second, Paporotnyi scored two and Shishin also powered home, and Switzerland were being overwhelmed, looking likely to concede at every attack.
The final period began with the hosts enjoying a 1-7 lead, but number three for Makarov and number two for Krash soon made that 1-9. Steinemann hit a fine volley to give the Swiss a second and a sudden surge of activity saw goalkeeper Valentin hit number three. They oiled late pressure on the Russian defense, and Switzerland threaten to score more.
But time ran out and Russia enjoyed an emphatic win to go level on points with group mates, Spain.
Goals: 0-1: Makarov, min. 9 (1); 0-2: Krash, min. 8 (1); 0-3: Romanov, min. 11 (2); 1-3: Stankovic, min. 10 (2); 1-4: Makarov, min. 10 (2); 1-5: Paporotnyi, min. 8 (2); 1-6: Shishin, min. 4 (2); 1-7: Paporotnyi, min. 2 (2); 1-8: Makarov, min. 10 (3); 1-9: Krash, min. 10 (3); 3-9: Valentin, min. 3 (3);
Italy resist Polish attacks and grasp three key points
The Italians began this second group stage at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow just the way they wanted to, with a win over Poland that gives the Azzurri three key points to see them take one step closer to qualification for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Having said that, things were not simple for Del Duca’s side in the beginning. Actually, it was Poland who got the first advantage of the game, thanks to Daniel Baran. Del Mestre equalized some minutes later, and Paolo Palmacci turned things around.
The men in blue are some of the best in the world when it comes to defending an advantage, and today they gave another masterclass on how to do it. The Azzurri denied the Polish attempts time and time again, and right before the last minute of the game, Gabriele Gori sealed the all-important win for his side, who now sit level on points with Belarus at the top of the table in Group 1.
Goals: 1-0: Baran, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Del Mestre, min. 5 (1); 1-2: Palmacci, min. 2 (1); 1-3: Gori, min. 1 (3)
Belarus upset Portugal to keep Group 1 open
The Belarusians handed a laudable win to one of the main favourites in the competition, European Gold Medallists Portugal, in the first matchday of the second group stage at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow.
When Bokach swept Belarus ahead, alarms did not seem to go off in the Portuguese ranks. With almost the entirety of the game ahead of them, Portugal were relaxed with plenty of time for the Team of the Quinas to turn things around…but then Kanstantsinau’s hit a second – 2-0.
When Ryabko scored to make it 3-0 midway through the second period, the Portuguese started to look nervy and realised that they were in trouble. Von Gonçalves cut the Belarusian momentum by finding the net and, with one period yet to go, the Portuguese threw everything they had into turning the score around.
Things did not work out though, as the Belarusian nets were kept safe by Nico Alvarado’s men, who gave their coach an extra special birthday present. Von’s second goal, with just 30 seconds to go, proved the last chance of the match for a Portuguese side who now cannot afford any more losses if they want to make it to Paraguay.
Goals: 1-0: Bokach, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Kanstantsinau, min. 10 (2); 3-0: Ryabko, min. 5 (2); 3-1: Von, min. 2 (2); 3-2: Von, min. 0 (3)
Spain survive scare to overcome Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan kicked off the first of their games in second group stages of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2019 – Europe Qualifier Moscow well, but soon found themselves inundated with Spanish attacks, letting the lead slip to lose the match by a six-goal difference.
Spain took an early lead through Chiky, but they allowed Azerbaijan to equalize before the first whistle, starting the second period back on level terms. La Roja had a shaky start, which was then shaken some more when Sabir took the lead and Amid netted his second of the match.
It wasn’t until they were trailing by 3-1 that Spain finally burst into action, as Chiky secured a brace of his own and then Adri Frutos struck to get on the scoresheet and level the match up once more. Soon after, a stroke of misfortune for Elchin saw the Azerbaijani keeper divert the ball which found its way past him once more.
Spain were 3-6 in front at the start of the final 12 minutes, thanks to hits from Dona and Eduard, who took his tournament tally to eight. A final-period double from Javi Torres, as well as a second from Adri Frutos saw the Spaniards complete their remontada in style, as the men from the Land of Fire left the pitch disappointed after having let a two-goal lead slip.
Three points in the bag for Spain, and they will face Switzerland in tomorrow’s match, while Azerbaijan face hosts, Russia.
Goals: 0-1: Chiky, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Amid, min. 1 (1); 2-1: Sabir, min. 8 (2); 3-1: Amid, min. 5 (2); 3-2: Chiky, min. 5 (2); 3-3: Adri Frutos, min. 3 (2); 3-4: Elchin (OG), min. 2 (2); 3-5: Eduard, min. 0 (2); 3-6: Dona, min. 0 (2); 3-7: Javi Torres, min. 3 (3); 3-8: Adri Frutos, min. 1 (3); 3-9: Javi Torres, min. 1 (3);
