Costa Rica v Netherlands
Group A
Humo Arena, Tashkent
Kick-off times:
06:30 in San Jose
14:30 in Amsterdam
17:30 in Bukhara
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking positions
Costa Rica (31st)
Netherlands (36th)
Match
Los Ticos are in danger following opening-day defeat. Alex Ramos will entrust his established aces Jean Salas, Minor Cabalceta and Edwin Cubillo with kick-starting their campaign. With Manuel Kuijk, Ayoub Boukhari and Ismail Ouaddouh excelling, La Machina Naranja looked the business first time out and are confident on striding on to four points.
Quotes
“It will be a very difficult game, but we must win at all costs. We played well [against Paraguay], created a lot of chances. If we can put them away against Holland I believe we’ll get three points.”
Alex Ramos, Costa Rica coach
“We almost won, but to draw with Uzbekistan, against the crowd, gives us a lot of power. We know that if we win one of the next two matches will be through. Costa Rica are a good team with a lot of experience, but I believe with the quality and fight we have, we will get the job done.”
Manuel Kuijk, Netherlands goalkeeper
Thailand v Cuba
Group B
Bukhara Universal Sports Complex, Bukhara
Kick-off times:
08:30 in Havana
17:30 in Bukhara
19:30 in Bangkok
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking
Thailand (9th)
Cuba (78th)
Match
The War Elephants sparked a sizeable shock by sinking the Mini Blazers, but now they must avoid slipping up against Los Leones del Caribe. The presence of Muhammad Osamanmusa, who has just signed for Spanish champions Jimbee Cartegena, will give Thailand a great shot of strolling on to six points. Cuba, with zero points and a -10 goal difference, will look to Jonathan Hernandez in what they view as a must-win game.
Quotes
“We have to be mentally ready because, on paper, they are the weakest opponents. We can’t hesitate and run the risk of playing a poor game. Tactically, I believe we are prepared, but we need to take care of the mental side.”
Miguel Rodrigo, Thailand coach
“It was a great experience to play against a team like Brazil. Now we are focused on our next games, which are a little more within our reach. Hearing the fans chanting our name was a pleasure.”
Cristian Cabrera, Cuba winger
Uzbekistan v Paraguay
Group A
Humo Arena, Tashkent
Kick-off times:
11:00 in Asuncion
20:00 in Tashkent
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking
Uzbekistan (11th)
Paraguay (13th)
Match
Another electric atmosphere is in store for arguably the most hard-to-call contest of the group stage. Khusniddin Nishonov and Ikhtiyor Ropiev showcased their class on the opening day, and they will be central to the Whites Wolves hopes of adding three points to the one they have. Los Guaraníes will hope more magic from Javier Adolfo Salas puts them in the knockout phase.
Quotes
“Paraguay are a very good side. They have very good players and a lot of experience. They have already won, so there will be less pressure on them, but I believe our supporters can push us to victory. It’s like playing with an extra player.”
Khusniddin Nishonov, Uzbekistan winger
“We left Paraguay with one goal: to be among the best four teams in the world. It’s crucial for us to win the group, because we would then get to play against a third-placed team. We completed our first task and now we must beat Uzbekistan. They have a good team and the supporters, but I believe a lot in this Paraguay team.”
Javier Adolfo Salas, Paraguay pivot
Brazil v Croatia
Group B
Bukhara Universal Sports Complex, Bukhara
Kick-off times:
12:00 in Brasilia
17:00 in Zagreb
20:00 in Bukhara
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking
Brazil (1st)
Croatia (16th)
Match
The Mini Blazers are in a tricky situation. Pointless, do they go all out for the win and leave themselves open to a heavy defeat, or do they attempt to protect their goal difference and look to scrape through as one of the best third-placed teams? They have in their locker Dario Marinovic, Franco Jelovcic and extreme physicality. The Seleção’s arsenal is frightening. Ferrao, Marcel and Pito will strive to put them in the next round.
Quotes
“When the draw was made, we already knew that we would be facing a very strong team physically. They play very much based on that. We have to know how to play the game, and our squad has the experience to adapt. If they want to use their physicality, we will try to push them to another game, one that will be uncomfortable for them, creating difficulties.”
Ferrao, Brazil pivot
“We didn’t expect to lose [against Thailand]. Everybody knows what kind of players Brazil have, but I feel that if we can fight like we did here, run like we did, who knows? Maybe the ball will go in against Brazil.”
Franco Jelovcic, Croatia winger
