Croatia comeback sets up decider
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Article summary
Croatia overcame an early deficit to defeat Georgia 8-1 and set up aFIFA Futsal World Cup qualifying showdown with holders Spain on Sunday.
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Eight-goal response
In the today's only game, Croatia opened their Group 3 campaign in Caceres against a Georgia team defeated 13-1 by Spain on Friday. But an upset looked on the cards when Georgia led 1-0, only for Mićo Martić's side to strike eight times without reply.
Sunday deciders
However, Croatia must beat Spain tomorrow to be sure of being one of the 12 teams in the play-offs for a place in Brazil. Already assured a berth as the winners of one of the ten groups are Italy, Slovenia and Ukraine, with the only pools decided on Sunday. The best two runners-up will also progress, though their identity may not be announced on Sunday due to the withdrawal of France from Group 1, leaving the match between Serbia and Russia as the only fixture in Belgrade.