Dinamo drop as Charleroi charge

With the UEFA Futsal Cup final four just over two weeks away, MFK Dinamo Moskva have received a huge blow in their bid to retain the Russian title.

Five points dropped
Prior to this weekend's double-header with third-placed TTG-Java Yugorsk, reigning champions Dinamo were level on points with MFK VIZ-Sinara Ekaterinburg. But after a defeat and a draw for the European semi-finalists, Dinamo now trail by five.

Last-gasp equaliser
The absence of the inspirational Sirilo proved crucial for home side Dinamo in the first match as they fell to a 5-1 defeat, Robinho scoring four goals despite his first being cancelled out by Henrique. Sirilo returned the next day and proved his worth as he equalised to make the score 3-3 on 32 minutes, and Aleksandr Kopeikin gave Dinamo the lead with three minutes to go only for João of TTG-Java to deny the title holders victory in the closing seconds.

Games in hand
To make matters worse, VIZ-Sinara beat MFK CSKA Moskva 7-2 and 4-3 to open up a useful lead, although Dinamo have ten games left to their rivals' eight. Dinamo welcome VIZ-Sinara on Saturday for the return match in the Russian Futsal Cup final having lost 7-3 in Ekaterinburg last week.

Charleroi in form
Dinamo's UEFA Futsal Cup semi-final opponents in Murcia on 26 April, Action 21 Charleroi, continued their recent good form as they defeated RSD Edegem 6-2 to stay within two points of Belgian league leaders Forcom Antwerpen Elite, whom they face on Wednesday. Third-placed Charleroi now look odds-on to make the four-team championship play-offs.

Murcia slip
While Boomerang Interviú were in Portugal completing their third Intercontinental Cup triumph in a row, their UEFA Futsal Cup semi-final opponents ElPozo Murcia FS were losing 5-2 at Azkar Lugo FS. Murcia remain third, but Boomerang - a point ahead of title-holders ElPozo - slipped to second as Polaris World Cartagena FS took advantage of the European champions' international travels by beating PSG Móstoles 4-3 to move two points in front. First place at the end of the Spanish regular season ensures top seeding in the eight-club play-offs.