Five-goal Koridze spurs Ukraine

Ukraine became the first team through to the semi-finals of the UEFA European Futsal Championship after five-goal Serhiy Koridze engineered a stunning victory against Portugal.

Top of the group
The Ukrainians, who beat Belgium 7-2 in their first Group B fixture, were always in control in Aversa today. They now have six points, four more than second-placed Spain and five more than Portugal and Belgium who only have a point apiece from their first two matches. It means Ukraine will definitely finish on top of the group and play the team that finishes second in Group A.

Form team
Gennady Lysenchuk's men had Koridze, who now has six goals in two games to be the competition's top scorer, and Olexandr Kosenko to thank for the victory. Despite conceding an early goal, Ukraine battled back to take a stranglehold on the match by half-time. The determination on show certainly makes them the form team of the tournament so far. "Before the match, we knew that Portugal was a strong team," Lysenchuk said. "We knew winning would mean qualifing for the semi-finals so we entered the match wanting the victory."

Koridze equaliser
Portugal took the lead after an even opening when André fired a free-kick into the top corner with three minutes played. After going close through Fedir Pylypiv and Oleksiy Kudlay, Ukraine soon found an equaliser. Koridze firing a free-kick into the net after the ball was touched to him by Kosenko. Another Portuguese foul then led to Ukraine going in front, this time through the 33-year-old Kosenko, who turned from provider to goalscorer from the edge of the area.

Hat-trick reached
Portugal then reached the five-foul limit, giving Ukraine two chances to score from the penalty spot. Eleven seconds after Ukraine's second goal, Koridze lashed into the net with ease. It was not long before he was given another opportunity from the spot and again he beat João Benedito, lofting the ball into the roof of the net for his hat-trick.

Opportunity spurned
Gonçalo then reduced the deficit for the Portuguese as the first half neared its conclusion, but Joel Queirós missed a penalty chance for his team that could have taken them to within a goal of their opponents. Ukraine made them pay 15 seconds after the restart, with a sweeping move that Kosenko finished off. It was now 5-2 and there was no way back.

Fluke fourth
That it was Ukraine's night was demonstrated by Koridze's freak fourth goal. A Portuguese pass forward on the halfway line rebounded off Koridze's boot and looped over João Benedito's head. Ukraine then had Oleg Shaytanov sent off for a second yellow card but it had little impact on the result except for allowing André the space to score his second of the night.

Favour needed
There was still plenty of time left but Ukraine finished things off when Koridze hit his fifth in the 37th minute from a tight angle before André completed a hat-trick with a penalty of his own inside the last two minutes. Ukraine finish up their Group B campaign on Thursday against holders Spain and will be thankful of already securing qualification. Portugal will need a Ukrainian favour while worrying about beating a resurgent Belgium.