Fixtures
Sunday 22 September
Morocco-Portugal
Panama-Tajikistan
France-IR Iran
Venezuela-Guatemala
Morocco v Portugal
Group E
Humo Arena, Tashkent
Kick-off times:
13:30 in Lisbon
13:30 in Rabat
17:30 in Tashkent
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking
Portugal (2nd)
Morocco (6th)
Match
Get the popcorn ready. The most mouth-watering match of the group stage is coming to a screen near you. Portugal have monopolised futsal over the last six years, incredibly conquering the four major crowns for which they competed. Morocco, meanwhile, recently went on a preposterous 50-game undefeated run and rock a pulsating playing style. Will Erick, Pany Varela and Zicky secure first place in the pool, or will Soufian Charraoui, Soufiane El Mesrar and Idriss Raiss El Fenni make it theirs?
Quotes
“Morocco against Portugal will decide who will finish first in the group. We will give it everything to win. We’re always confident against anyone. We have so much belief in our coach. They have really, really good players, but so do we. It will be a great game for the spectators.”
Soufian Borite, Morocco fixo
“Morocco are a really, really strong team. They’ve showed this over recent years. We drew with them at the last World Cup. They’re dynamic, they’re technical, they’re good defensively, good offensively. It will be a really competitive game.”
Joao Matos, Portugal fixo
Panama v Tajikistan
Group E
Bukhara Universal Sports Complex, Bukhara
Kick-off times:
07:30 in Panama City
17:30 Dushanbe
17:30 in Bukhara
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking
Tajikistan (34th)
Panama (44th)
Match
Both nations need three points to have hope of going through. Panama probably have to win big. Victory may be enough for Tajikistan, but one by a three-goal margin would make all but certain of their last-16 spot. Masses of Tajiks will be in Bukhara to roar on Firuz Bekmurodov, Fayzali Sardorov and the Persian Lions, while Los Canaleros will entrust go-to performers Alfonso Maquensi and Abdiel Ortiz with silencing the crowd.
Quotes
“We are proud of our performance against Morocco. They are one of the best teams in the world, but we gave them problems throughout. We will take the confidence that performance has given us into the game against Tajikistan. We believe we will win. We’ll give it our all.”
Abdiel Ortiz, Panama winger
“Panama are good opponents. We have already studied them. It definitely won’t be an easy match. I think we have a good chance of getting out of the group. If we reach the last 16, it will have been a great holiday for Tajikistan.”
Firuz Bekmurodov, Tajikistan goalkeeper
France v IR Iran
Group F
Bukhara Universal Sports Complex, Bukhara
Kick-off times:
17:00 in Paris
18:30 in Tehran
20:00 in Bukhara
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking
IR Iran (4th)
France (10th)
Match
Two elite, free-scoring sides will collide for the right to finish first, with the Asians requiring only a draw. Suspension will rule out Abdessamad Mohammed for France and Iran duo Mohammadreza Sangi and Hossein Tayebi, but there’ll still be copious class on court. Souheil Mouhoudine, Kevin Ramirez and Mamadou Siragassy Toure have beamed for Les Bleus, while Salar Aghapour, Saeid Ahmad Abbasi and Moslem Oladghobad have linked up luminously.
Quotes
“Iran are a great team, and the game promises to be even harder than what we have endured here so far. But one thing that I’m certain of is that my players are always working and have shown here that they will always fight until the end.”
Raphael Reynaud, France coach
“France showed their improvement in futsal over the last two games. They play patiently, have good individual skills and have accurate finishing. We know that they are competing with us to be at the top of the group and this can be a game that the spectators will enjoy.”
Mohammadhossein Derakhshani, Iran fixo
Venezuela v Guatemala
Group F
Humo Arena, Tashkent
Kick-off times:
09:00 in Guatemala City
11:00 in Caracas
20:00 in Tashkent
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Ranking
Venezuela (21st)
Guatemala (40th)
Match
La Azul y Blanco and La Vinotinto are not just out to win, but to do so by a big margin. Roman Alvarado, Patrick Ruiz and Marvin Sandoval have been excellent for Guatemala, despite back-to-back defeats, while Kevin Briceno and Jesus Viamonte certainly have the ability to inspire Venezuela. Jaime Aquino and Wanderley Ruiz are banned for the Central Americans, as is Saimond Francia for the South Americans. Get ready for a goal-fest.
Quotes
“We have missed plenty of scoring opportunities so far. The goal was to get six points. Now we have to play for three. We understand that there’s a minimal chance for us to go through,but we have to go for it.”
Carlos Sanz, Venezuela fixo
“After these two painful losses, we have a chance against Venezuela. We should be able to fight for this result that we want and need so much. We have come here well prepared, and we just need to limit errors.”
Marvin Sandoval, Guatemala winger
