Futsal World Cup play-offs: Serbia and Czech Republic qualify
Wednesday, December 9, 2020
Article summary
Serbia edged out Finland and the Czech Republic beat Croatia on penalties to qualify through the play-offs.
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- The FIFA Futsal World Cup play-offs decided Europe's last two finals spots in Lithuania.
- The four contenders were elite round runners-up behind the winners Kazakhstan, Portugal, Russia and Spain, who have already joined the hosts in the finals from 12 September to 3 October 2021 (postponed from 2020).
Second legs
Wednesday 9 December:
- Jovan Lazarević's hat-trick made the difference in a thrilling second leg, postponed from 10 November.
- Serbia previously reached the World Cup in 2012.
- This was the first time Finland have been in a play-off; they held Italy and Portugal in the elite round, knocking out the Azzurri.
Tuesday 10 November:
Czech Republic 2-2 Croatia (aet, agg: 4-4, Czech Republic win 6-5 on penalties)
- The home side in Brno, who saw a two-goal first-leg lead slip, twice equalised to force extra time.
- Both teams missed potential winning penalties before Jiří Vokoun converted the eighth Czech kick to clinch victory.
- The Czech Republic previously made the World Cup in 2004, 2008 and 2016, and avenged their 7-6 loss to Croatia in a decisive 2000 qualifier
First legs
Friday 6 November:
- Marko Pršić struck to decide the first leg.
Saturday 7 November:
- Croatia came back from 2-0 down to draw in Zadar, with the visitors having Lukáš Rešetár sent off.
All qualifiers
AFC: Iran, Japan, Uzbekistan, Thailand, Vietnam
CAF: Angola (debut), Egypt, Morocco
CONCACAF: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, United States
CONMEBOL: Argentina (holders), Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela (debut)
OFC: Solomon Islands
UEFA: Czech Republic Kazakhstan, Lithuania (hosts, debut), Portugal, Russia, Serbia, Spain