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espnstar - It was the futsal equivalent of a captain's knock in cricket when Argentina skipper Carlos Sanchez scored in the final minute of play against Iran to send his team through to the final of the KL World 5s. In what was the tournament's best match thus far, played at a frenetic pace, the two teams fought to a standstill in charged atmosphere at the Putra Indoor Stadium. And Sanchez was certainly standing still after his goal -- in stunned disbelief -- after his left-footer screwed off the inside of the upright and into the goal to give his team a 2-1 win. They say there is no substitute for class and it was certainly class aplenty in the feature match on Day 4 of the KL World 5s, the first of the Cup semi-finals. Iran had much to live up to with Coach Mohammad Hasan Ansarifard declaring pre-match that his team, the Asian Futsal Champions, will go on to win the tournament. And they gave their strong cheering section early joy when Kazem Mohammadi Tirabadi slotted home in the ninth minute to break the deadlock. Fans were treated to futsal of the highest degree as both teams displayed remarkable close control, with ball drags and other deft touches illustrating the difference between this game and the 11-man game on an open field. The match was a physical affair and referee Ercole Vescio had to work hard to keep tempers in check as Argentina tried hard to claw their way back into the match but Iran were able to leave the pitch at halftime with the lead. It was a different story in the second half as Argentina came out with greater intent, pressing all out with wave after wave of attack as Iran looked to soak it all up. Iran's defensive play seemed to have worked until Marcelo Gimenez found a break five minutes after the restart. Sending a powerful shot past Iran's keeper Reza Nasseri, Gimenez saw the ball rebounding off the crossbar and back to his feet. With the keeper sprawled, he had the easiest task of tucking the ball into an empty net for Argentina's equaliser. Thereafter, both teams conspired to keep the crowd on the edge of their seats with one near miss after another. Mohammadi almost bagged his second when he sent the ball inches wide of the far post after Argentinean keeper Javier Guisande had parried out his initial strike. With the game heading for a draw and match commentators checking the rule book on penalties in case the teams stayed level after extra time, Sanchez made it all moot with his precise shot -- just enough to shave the inside of the upright and spin the right way into goal. Argentina will have a day’s rest to await the winner of the second semi-final tomorrow between Brazil and Uruguay with an all South American final now a certainty.
Earlier, Japan showed great composure after frittering away a two-goal lead to win 3-2 in a highly physical confrontation with Uzbekistan in the semi-finals of the Plate competition. After the initial exchanges, Japan got going with two goals in as many minutes and looked to be cruising to victory. But Uzbekistan were having nothing of that. The halftime pep talk from coach Mamatkulov Abdulrashid worked wonders as the Uzbeks bit back twice in quick time to draw level. Even before the celebrations died, Japan delivered the sucker punch with Kogure Kenichiro firing in what was to prove the winning goal. Japan now await the winner of the second Plate semi-final between Thailand and Guatemala. In the day’s opening match, Indonesia scored one for Southeast Asia by snatching a late win over England with four seconds left on the clock. Edward Amalludin emerged the hero with his two goals, including the last gasp heartbreaker that made the scoreline 3-2. It was, as Indonesian coach Ureas Rahamtoknan admitted, a lucky win as the English were clearly fitter and had showed greater skills with the ball. With the initial shakeout well and truly done, the tournament’s fourth day delivered tighter matches with all three games decided by the odd goal. Day Five will open with South Africa taking on hosts Malaysia in the Bowl semi-finals, followed by Thailand versus Guatemala in the Plate, and rounded off by the game between Brazil and Uruguay. |
