Belgium and Slovenia get into shape
Friday, January 15, 2010
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Slovenia completed their pre-finals friendly programme with a draw and a win against 2007 qualifiers Romania while Belgium held Asian champions Iran 4-4 with two late goals before losing the second game 5-0.
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Slovenia and Belgium face tough opening games in the UEFA European Futsal Championship next week and both can take positives after completing their friendly programmes.
Slovenia have edge
Romania, qualifiers in 2007, were the visitors to Slovenia, who begin Group C in Budapest on Wednesday against former champions Russia. In the first game Slovenia fell behind early but Slaviša Goranović and Gašper Vrhovec gave the home side a 2-1 half-time lead. Romania then moved ahead but Gorazd Drobnič levelled and after conceding again, Slovenia secured a 4-4 draw with Kristjan Čujec's 39th-minute goal. The following day Slovenia stormed to a 5-1 win. Rajko Uršič scored twice in the first half and Drobnič, Čujec and Damir Pertič also found the target.
Belgium tested
Belgium had a tougher assignment with the visit of perennial Asian champions Iran and in the opener secured a very impressive 4-4 draw. Karim Bachar put Belgium 2-0 up on 13 minutes but Iran swiftly levelled and went 4-2 in front late on. But Ahmed Sababti concerted a penalty with five minutes left and Karim Chaibai's double penalty seconds later ensured points were shared. Iran won 5-0 in the second match and Belgium will now focus on Tuesday's Group B encounter with 2007 runners-up Italy in Debrecen.