Friendlies keep futsal finalists on their toes
Thursday 24 September 2009
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Belgium had two hard games in Romania (©Sergii Lysenchuk)
There were mixed fortunes for some of the UEFA European Futsal Championship finalists in their last friendlies before Thursday's draw in Debrecen for the tournament in January in Hungary.
Portugal wins
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Portugal were in action against Thailand in Guarda and secured two victories. The first was a 1-0 courtesy of Pedro Costa's third-minute goal. Then, the next day, Orlando Duarte's side won 5-2. Gonçalo gave them a 13th-minute lead and Leitão doubled the advantage early in the second half only for Thailand to pull level before Arnaldo, Joel Queirós and Gonçalo struck to decide the game.
Belgium reverse
Belgium played twice in Romania, who themselves narrowly missed out on a second straight final tournament appearance in the qualifiers in March. The first game in Deva finished 2-2, but Belgium lost the second match 3-1.
Italy boost
There was better luck on the road for Italy, who had games in Japan on Wednesday and Thursday. The first match finished 0-0 in Nagoya, but a day later in Osaka, the Azzurri won 4-3. Vincenzo Botta's early own goal was quickly followed by a Wataru Kitahara strike, but by the break Italy had taken the lead thanks to Fabrizio Calderolli, Moreira and Duarte, who also scored three minutes into the second half. Kenichiro Kogure pulled one back late on but Italy goalkeeper Alexandre Feller was in typically fine form. The result means Roberto Menichelli remains unbeaten since taking over as Italy coach earlier this year.
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