Shakhtar seal semi-final spot

FC Shakhtar Donetsk are through to the UEFA Futsal Cup semi-finals with a match to spare thanks to a victory against second qualifying round Group B hosts KMF Marbo Beograd.

Beograd need victory
Having defeated holders Action 21 Charleroi 4-1 on Sunday, Shakhtar knew a win would secure a top-two place as Beograd had drawn 4-4 with MFK Dinamo Moskva in yesterday's other game. As Dinamo defeated Charleroi to end the champions' campaign in the late match, Beograd must defeat the Belgian team on Wednesday and hope Shakhtar beat Dinamo to have any hope of going through on goal difference.

Capacity crowd
Both these teams used counterattacking tactics on Sunday, and each stuck with that approach today, leading to a tight first half. Beograd, though, were cheered on by a packed Palate Pionir, a 4,000 crowd again filling the arena and giving their all. Fedir Pylypiv of Shakhtar went close on eight minutes from distance and late in the first half Beograd's Predrag Rajic threatened in a similar way. However, goalkeepers Predrag Brazakovic of Beograd and Skahtar's Vladyslav Kornyeyev were dominant.

Goal apiece
At least until the final minute of the half, as Shakhtar scored following a fine team move. Captain Ramis Mansurov instigated it, Igor Maokvychov then took the ball forward on a solo run and found Oleg Miroshnyk to strike in from close range. With Beograd forced to push for an equaliser, there was more space in the second half. Eight minutes in Pylypiv brought down Rajic and Igor Šoša converted the penalty.

Shakhtar through
Now the caution returned, with defeat costly for either team. But with three minutes to go Miroshnyk's pass following a corner came to Sergiy Zadorozhnyi, who gave Shakhtar a lead they were never to relinquish. Beograd withdrew Brazakovic in an attempt to salvage a point, but the unguarded home goal proved enticing for Shakhtar, and Miroshnyk twice scored after stealing the ball and shooting into the empty net. Shakhtar will clinch first place, and avoid a semi-final against 2004 champions and Group A winners Boomerang Interviú, if they gain a point against Dinamo on Wednesday.

Coach happy
Shakhtar coach Oleg Solodovnyk, whose team twice fell at the second qualifying round stage in previous years, said: "We have finished our primary job, as we will play in the semi-finals. Maybe it is a surprise, but only for others - for me it is not. We were fresher than the home team, that's the main reason for our victory. We will play for another victory against Dinamo Moskva."

'Too much space'
Meanwhile, joint Beograd coach Goran Ivancic said: "Marbo are among the best eight in Europe, that's a great success. But I am not satisfied with tonight's game, we were very bad in defence and allowed too much space for the visiting players. We must now be brave in the last match."