Portugal in ominous form

UEFA European Futsal Championship hosts Portugal are excused the rigours of qualifying for the finals this November but are still looking in good shape after two comfortable friendly victories against Israel this week.

Comfortable win
Israel were making their return to international action in preparation for their qualifying round mini-tournament next month, but came up against a Portugal team who had won their previous five games - scoring a total of 36 goals - and on a long unbeaten stretching back exactly a year. And in the first game in Santarem, Portugal cruised to a 7-1 win. Formiga and Arnald scored in the first two minutes and Fábio soon made it three. David Yaniv pulled one back on ten minutes but Fábio immediately scored against and Arnaldo, Luís Silva and, apropriately, AR Freixieiro player Israel extended the lead.

'Positive match'
Portugal coach Orlando Duarte said: "I think we had a positive and pleasant match. Our major concern is to have more and more options for the European Championship and I would like he players to make my decisions more and more difficult. It would be a good sign as I would like to have many good players for the championship."

Formiga hat-trick
His team produced another fine performance the next day in Almeirim, winning 10-1 despite an improved showing from Israel. Joel Queirós scored on four minutes, Formiga struck twice and Ivan also found the net before the break. Two Arnaldo goals then sandwiched a Miguel Almeida effort, Formiga completed his hat-trick and Marinho and Léo took the score in double figures. Portugal now take on Egypt on 13 and 14 February; Israel will be in Andorra from 26 February to meet the home team, Ukraine and Slovakia in qualifying round Group B for a place in Porto between 16-25 November.