One did it with ease; the other through exertion. Brazil and Ukraine got the same reward: places in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Uzbekistan 2024™ quarter-finals.
Costa Rica and especially the Netherlands can go home proud. The latter, at their first global finals in 24 years and an amateur squad, unexpected reached the knockout phase unbeaten and then put of a ferocious fight.
Brazil will no prepare for IR Iran or Morocco, while Ukraine await the Spain-Venezuela winners.
Brazil 5-0 Costa Rica
Brazil goals: Marcel (5), Felipe Valerio (12), Leandro Lino (28), Neguinho (36 & 40)
Player of the Match: Neguinho (Brazil)
Brazil were rocked by the news Pito would miss the game with a thigh injury, but it was Costa Rica who toppled in Bukhara. Marcel got the scoreboard switching by continuing his remarkable goal streak, while Neguinho added a double in a comprehensive victory. Los Ticos go home having done themselves proud. The Seleção await the winners of IR Iran-Morocco and the exam results of the sport’s Best Men’s Player.
Quotes
“Costa Rica implemented their strategy at times. The had a very low defence. We had to deal with that. The build-up was a little slower than in other matches, but that’s normal. It can happen in a knockout game.”
Marquinhos Xavier, Brazil coach
“It was a good first half for us, when we managed to control Brazil, but we made two mistakes that cannot happen in a match at this level. We had an opportunity to challenge Brazil, and that is important for Costa Rican futsal.”
Edwin Cubillo, Costa Rica pivot
Stat
Marcel has scored nine goals in four games – the same total that won Eder Lima and Ferrao the adidas Golden Boot at Thailand 2012 and Lithuania 2021 respectively.
Netherlands 1-3 Ukraine
Netherlands goal: Said Bouzambou (29)
Ukraine goals: Mykhailo Zvarych (6), Andrii Melnyk (31 & 40)
Player of the Match: Andrii Melnyk (Ukraine)
Oleksandr Kosenko described it as a “masterpiece”. His Ukraine side had just conceded an equaliser. Momentum was now with the Netherlands. Their goalkeeper was looking unconquerable. Melnyk deduced that the only way to get the ball in his net was to prevent him having the opportunity to make a save. With the grace of a ballerina, he danced past Manuel Kuijk and stroked the ball into the net. Melnyk then killed the Dutch off with his second of the night.
Quotes
“We’re sad but it was an amazing tournament for us. We were among the top 16 teams in the world. We have seen how much potential we have. Now we can look to the future.”
Manuel Kuijk, Netherlands goalkeeper
“They had just equalised and their goalkeeper had made a lot of saves. Andrii’s goal was a masterpiece. It came at such a crucial moment. We’re very emotional right now. This means so much.”
Oleksandr Kosenko, Ukraine coach
Stat
Andrii Melnyk became just the second Ukrainian to score multiple goals in a knockout-phase game at the FIFA Futsal World Cup. Denys Ovsyannikov did it in a 6-3 win over Japan in the last 16 at Thailand 2012.
