Albert Akbalikov, Catela and Matias Rosa sizzled on Matchday 5 of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™. Their exploits left Argentina through to the knockout phase and Kazakhstan and Spain on the cusp. Ihor Korsun was also unplayable, getting Ukraine back on track with a huge win.
Angola 2-7 Ukraine
Angola goals: Helber (17), Vedo (40)
Ukraine goals: Yevhenii Zhuk (7), Ihor Korsun (13 & 16), Andrii Melnyk (26), Mykhailo Zvarych (28), Ihor Cherniavskyi (32), Nazar Shved (40)
Player of the Match: Ihor Korsun (Ukraine)
Ukrainians are special folk. Despite suffering their worst-ever defeat in a FIFA Futsal World Cup on Sunday, they turned up in numbers and roared their heroes on from before the first buzzer sounded to after the last one did. The men in yellow gave them a night to remember, Ihor Korsun headlining a goal-difference-mending success. Angola’s poster buy Helber can take consolation from scoring, on his global finals debut, a scintillating solo goal.
Quotes
“The emotions are fantastic. We have to thank the fans. They were fantastic, amazing. The noise really pushed us on to run as much as we could, defend with everything we had, and score goals.”
Ihor Korsun, Ukraine utility player
“The better team won. We gave it our all but we made some mistakes. We still have a chance. We know now that we need to beat Argentina, and we believe we can.”
Helber, Angola winger
Stat
Ukraine have now won five consecutive matches against African opposition in the competition.
Libya 1-4 Kazakhstan
Libya goal: Mohamed Khamies (17)
Kazakhstan goals: Suhayb Alghoul OG (15), Birzhan Orazov (17), Zhakhangir Rashit (18), Albert Akbalikov (35)
Player of the Match: Albert Akbalikov (Kazakhstan)
Kaka warned his players against a banana skin. Already without the great Taynan, they would have to take on Libya without the influential Dauren Tursagulov. Furthermore, they were exhausted from a backs-to-the-wall draw against Spain. Kazakhstan needed a hero. Fortunately for them, Albert Akbalikov rocked up to Andijan Universal Sports Complex in a cape. A goal and an assist from their No9 later and the Hawks were on the cusp of the knockout phase.
Quote
“The win was very important for us after the Spain game. The support from the fans was expected. We already knew that a lot of people would come. It’s very pleasing and it feels like we’re playing at home.”
Douglas Jr, Kazakhstan fixo
Argentina 2-1 Afghanistan
Argentina goal: Matias Rosa (3, 32)
Afghanistan goal: Nicolas Sarmiento OG (31)
Player of the Match: Javad Safari (Afghanistan)
Matias Rosa’s 29th birthday will take some topping. He scored both Argentina goals – the second moments after Afghanistan had equalised – to inch them through to the last 16. Cristian Borruto and Alan Brandi were on everyone’s lips when this event began. It’s the lesser-known of Matias Lucuix’s three pivots who’s taking it by storm.
Quote
“I have to give credit to Afghanistan. They played a great game, it was 50-50. Their goalkeeper also made some great saves. Fortunately for us Mati was decisive. He’s having a great tournament and we’re very happy for him.”
Kiki Vaporaki, Argentina winger
Stat
Argentina have conceded exactly one goal in six of their last seven FIFA Futsal World Cup matches. The exception was a 2-1 loss to Portugal in the Lithuania 2021 final.
Spain 7-1 New Zealand
Spain goals: Miguel Mellado (12), Raul Gomez (22), Catela (25), Jesus Gordillo (26), Raul Campos (30), Catela (32 & 33)
New Zealand goal: Art Twigg (6)
Player of the Match: Catela (Spain)
The Futsal Whites knew they were searching for the biggest upset in FIFA Futsal World Cup history. For a while, they threatened it. Dylan Manickum masterfully left two Spaniards on their backsides and fed Art Twigg, who fired New Zealand ahead. They even went in at half-time level, only for Catela and Spain to run riot thereafter. Still, the Oceanians made a mockery of the 12.5-goal head start the bookmakers had given them with an admirable exhibition.
Quotes
“We created a lot of chances and that’s something to be satisfied with. However, we lacked that finishing touch or and that bit of luck. We don’t know how the ball didn’t go in on several occasions.”
Fede Vidal, Spain coach
“Scoring first against Spain was a very special moment. But Spain are a class side, they have a team that can go far in the tournament. [Our performance] is something to be proud of.”
Marvin Eakins, New Zealand coach
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کلاس یوس