Sports

Italy clinch bronze - FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008

by fromvega | October 18, 2008 at 10:06 am

355 views | 20 Recommendations | 4 comments

Italy clinch the 3rd place in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 after defeating Russia by 2x1 in a very disputed game this Saturday in Rio.

Curiously Italy team is made entirely by Italian naturalised Brazilian players while Russia team has three naturalised Brazilians.

The World Cup final will be disputed by Brazil and Spain, tomorrow, October 19th at 10:30h local time in Rio de Janeiro.

For those that want to have a little introduction to Futsal, please read my previous post: Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 Finalists.

Said Assis's goal 14 seconds from time gave Italy a 2-1 victory in the match for third place of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008.

As early as the first minute, Italy had a good chance to take the lead. Cleyton Baptistella found Jocimar Jubanski and he forced a fine save from Sergey Zuev.

Six minutes later the Italians were celebrating the lead. Adriano Foglia, waltzed through the Russia defence and he fired a shot into the top corner.

Zuev was on hand to deny Assis, Grana and Baptistella in the first half and while Russia hit the post through Vladislav Shayakhmetov, they were somewhat fortunate to go in at half time just one goal behind.

After a slow start to the second half, Russia found themselves level in the 26th minute when Damir Khamadiev played the ball to Konstantin Dushkevich in the box and he turned the ball home.

Khamadiev thought he'd scored seven minutes from time, but his lob clipped the bar. A minute from time, the same player received his marching orders after his second yellow card.

This handed the advantage to the Italians, who gratefully accepted their chance and in the 40th minute, Assis's inch-perfect lob over Zuev handed them the match and third place.