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Adilio, Brian Laudrup and Tab Ramos were among the plethora of 11-a-side players who made the temporary transition from turf to court for the maiden FIFA Futsal World Cup™. It was decorated by packed arenas, wonder goals, pulsating games and big upsets. It concluded with a dream decider: the hosts against the pre-tournament favourites.
A young Kim Milton Nielsen, who would go on to referee a FIFA World Cup™ semi-final and a UEFA Champions League final, was the man in charge. The Netherlands boasted Vic Hermans, who had turned down an 11-a-side offer from Ajax in order to stick with futsal and prolonged his retirement to play in the tournament. Brazil counted on Adilio, who had been capped by Brazil and helped Flamengo outplay Liverpool in the Intercontinental Cup.
Expectations were high. An engrossing encounter lived up to them and then some. Brazil flashed samba futsal that even the Dutch crowd couldn’t help but enjoy. The Netherlands were indebted to goalkeeper Ton Bakhuis, who made big saves from Benatti and Carlos Alberto, for keeping them in it in the early stages. As time ticked, the Oranje began to threaten, and Serginho was forced to repel fine efforts from Hermans and Mario Faber.
The opener came midway through the half, and what a beauty it was. Carlos Alberto, with his back to goal, flicked the ball through his own legs for the onrushing Benatti, who fizzed it home.
The Netherlands’ equaliser, with time running out, was another golazo. Six months after Marco van Basten had scored an implausible volley in the UEFA EURO final, Marcel Loosveld did the same, his thunderous strike going in off both posts.
A third wonder goal would settle this thriller. Raul masterfully chested the ball past an opponent and volleyed it home. Brazil were the FIFA Futsal World Cup champions.
