Amelia Whites report on the Futsalroos 5-4 win over Tajikistan last night complete with pictures
By Amelia WhitePublished 26/5/2010 152 viewsAFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIPS UZBEKISTAN 2010-05-25
GROUP B THIRD MATCH
AUSTRALIA 5 defeated Tajikistan 4
This was a match that Australia needed to win or at least draw to get to the quarter finals. With a better goal difference, Australia and Tajikistan were both on 3 points after 2 games.
Team bus with Police escort
Team Manager Chris Conti expressed confidence based on the performance of the team to date. Futsalroo Coach Steven Knight asked the players to set their own goals and to reach their goals in the match. Knight, while observing that the Tajik players had good technical ability, appeared to play a more football type of futsal.
The Tajiks started strongly forcing mistakes from the Futsalroos and were rewarded with goals in the 5th and 8th minutes.
Boxing kangaroo flying in Tashkent
It was not until the 14th minute that Giovenali was able to reduce the deficit with a well placed free kick to the right of the post. Just when it would seem that the Futsalroos would go into the dressing room a goal down, Miller hits a screamer from distance which dipped and swerved into the net.
Miller's goal celebration
The vocal crowd was now on their feet with two thirds supporting Tajikistan and the remainder chanting an Uzbeki version of Aussie, Aussie Aussie.
Knowing they had to win, the Tajiks came out firing and two minutes into the second half, Sherzod scores his second which Rogic equalled a minute later for Australia. Having now come back twice, the Futsalroos took the lead for the first time with a goal from Miller and chances by both teams not taken. The Tajiks were back in the match in the 30th minute when Keith was given 2 yellows in quick sucession. Sherzod scored his hat trick from the resulting free kick at the top of the D to give the Futsalroos a final nervous 10 minutes. Goal scoring machine Rogic calmed the bench when the futsalroos broke with three on two with 4 minutes to go for his brace and Australia held out to record a win which was surprisingly hard fought.
Chris Conti thanking supporters
Australia will now face Uzbekistan in the quarter finals on Thursday.
At the post match press conference, Knight expressed disappointment that the score was 2-2 at half time. Asked what his objective was before the tournament, Knight said his goal had been to get to the quarter finals and this had now been achieved. Asked whether he would change his style of play for the Uzbek game, Knight was circumspect to the mainly Uzbeki media. He commented that the Uzbek team did not appear to be fluid in their movement and passing in the two games he watched. He said the Australian players were not used to playing in front of a large crowd and it would an experience for them.
Ref on Tour doing live commentary for F4A with Amelia White
