Charleroi overcome Chorzów

Action 21 Charleroi made it two wins from two in the UEFA Futsal Cup on Tuesday with a 3-2 triumph against Clearex-Chorzów

Committed display
The Belgian side were the better team but nearly allowed their Polish opponents to steal a draw, despite leading 3-0 at half-time against a committed Chorzów team who never gave up. Indeed if Jaroslaw Kaszowski had not hit a post with little more than a minute left on the clock the points would have been shared.

Commanding position
First-half goals from Portuguese attacker Leo and Brazilian duo Lúcio and Marcelinho put Charleroi in a commanding position at half-time. But Chorzów came back strong after the interval and showed lots of energy, rotating their players frequently. Their persistence paid off when Miroslaw Miozga slipped a quick free-kick into net at the near post. Tomasz Seja then set up a frantic finale with his side's second in the 32nd minute.

Players injured
Charleroi were always dangerous but were often stifled by the committed play of their opponents. They hung on for victory but at a price, having seen five players injured during the game. Two players definitely out of the Group B decider against Playas de Castellón F.S. on Thursday are Luca Cragnaz and Valery Celli.

'Physical match'
"It was a very physical match but our concentration and technical ability was strong," said Charleroi coach Ricardo Menezes da Silva. "The problem against Castellón will be that a lot of our players are tired." His opposite number, Andrzej Antos, was understandably downbeat after seeing his side lose. "We are disappointed because we lost. The group we are playing in is much harder than the other."