Thailand v Brazil
Group B
Bukhara Universal Sports Complex, Bukhara
Kick-off times:
09:30 in Brasilia
17:30 in Bukhara
19:30 in Bangkok
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking positions
Brazil (1st)
Thailand (9th)
Match
Marquinhos Xavier and Miguel Rodrigo are good friends who hold tremendous respect for one another. They went out for a coffee in Bukhara on Wednesday and were all smiles throughout. Despite the fact their Brazil and Thailand sides are already through to the last 16, they’ll have their game faces on when they collide for their final first-phase assignment. Pito and the Seleção require only a draw to secure top spot, while Muhammad Osamanmusa and the War Elephants need all three points.
Quotes
“We have faced Croatia, and now we are going to play against a different kind team. Thailand are a bit faster. It’s important to play these different types of games, it helps us improve and makes us a bit more prepared for the knockout phase.”
Marlon
“We will go into the game against Brazil to compete, to show that we can face the big teams. Of course we’ll probably lose, but we will take positive things from it. It’s the type of game that any player or coach wants. With all due respect, but we also try to have fun and play.”
Miguel Rodrigo, Thailand coach
Cuba v Croatia
Group B
Humo Arena, Tashkent
Kick-off times:
08:30 in Havana
14:30 in Zagreb
17:30 in Bukhara
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking
Croatia (16th)
Cuba (78th)
Match
It’s do or die for the Mini Blazers and Los Leones del Caribe. Their only shot at going through is to win, while they may need to win big. Croatia will entrust Franco Jelovcic and Dario Marinovic with keeping the dream alive, while Cuba will look to in-form Cristian Valiente and Iduan Martinez as they go for broke. A goal-fest ensues.
Quotes
“We have already shown that we are a gritty team. We have lost two games, but our focus is on getting the three points against Croatia. They are a completely different opponent, but we have to focus on playing our game. Nobody here has given up on anything yet.”
Jonathan Hernandez, Cuba captain
Costa Rica v Uzbekistan
Group A
Humo Arena, Tashkent
Kick-off times:
09:00 in San Jose
20:00 in Tashkent
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking
Uzbekistan (11th)
Costa Rica (31st)
Match
The stakes are sky-high. Costa Rica or Uzbekistan would probably go through with victory. One of them could sneak through with a draw, but they’d need Paraguay to pummel the Netherlands. Slippery winger Khusniddin Nishonov has been a bright spark for injury-stricken Uzbekistan, while Minor Cabalceta is Costa Rica’s go-to player. Do not miss this one.
Quotes
“We were the underdogs in our two games. We competed well in both and drew one. Now we need to beat Uzbekistan, it won’t be easy, but I believe we can do it. The will have the supporters behind them, but we’re ready for it.”
Yosel Leon, Costa Rica winger
“Our supporters have been incredible. We want to say sorry for them. Costa Rica are a strong team, it will be a very tough game, but I believe we will win. We will give it 2,000 per cent.”
Ilkhomjon Khamroev, Uzbekistan fixo
Netherlands v Paraguay
Group B
Bukhara Universal Sports Complex, Bukhara
Kick-off times:
11:00 in Asuncion
17:00 in Amsterdam
20:00 in Bukhara
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking
Paraguay (13th)
Netherlands (36th)
Match
Paraguay have already pocketed top spot in the pool. The question is whether Carlos Chilavert will minute-limit stars such as Arnaldo Baez and Javier Adolfo Salas. The Netherlands have done themselves proud on their return from 24 years in the FIFA Futsal World Cup wilderness. Three points and Manuel Kuijk, Ayoub Boukhari and Ismail Ouaddouh will be through.
Quotes
“This is the first World Cup for all of us. There’s a lot to get used to, but we’ve put in two good performances and given ourselves a chance. Paraguay are obviously a very good team with a lot more experience than us, but we will do out there with the same determination and belief.”
Ismail Ouaddouh, Netherlands pivot
“We definitely want to win. We want to go through with nine points. Our target is the semi-finals and nine points would add to our confidence.”
Javier Adolfo Salas, Paraguay winger
