Futsal

19.03.2011 14:00

Prestigious Victoria (5-3)

Llorenç Tarrés

Barca Alusport deservedly beat Inter Movistar in an intense match with a second half full of goals. The players recovered their best football against a great rival.

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MATCH STATS

FC BARCELONA ALUSPORT, 5
INTER MOVISTAR, 3

FC Barcelona Alusport (1 +4): Cristian, Igor (1), Chico (2), Saad, Wilde –starting five – Javi Rodríguez, Jordi Torras, Carlos, Fernandão (2), Sepe, Ari Santos i Paco Sedano (sg).

Inter Movistar (1+2): Juanjo, Betão (1), Ortiz, Gabriel (1), César –cinc inicial–, Borja, Marquinho, Ciço, Hugo, Juanra (1), Iván i Luis Amado.

Goals: 1-0, Igor, min 4; 1-1, Betão, min 17; 2-1, Fernandão, min 24; 3-1, Chico, min 30, 4-1, Fernandão, min 32, 4-2, Gabriel, min 34; 5-2, Chico, min 35; 5-3, Juanra, min 37.

Referees: Fortes Pardo and Martinez Flores. Yellow cards for Juanra and Gabriel.

Venue: Palau Blaugrana. 3,264 spectators.

Prior to the game there were some emotional moments, first the dedication from the team to FC Barcelona's Eric Abidal, then the tunnel the Barça players formed for Inter Movistar as recent winners of the Intercontintental Cup, and finally. the minutes silence in memory of victims of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, a country where Barça has a large number of fans.

However, when the game got under way, both teams put aside their emotions and gave everybody an intense match that, hopefully, might be repeated in the play-offs. Despite the late withdrawal of Lin, Carmona’s team deserved the win, but they had to work very hard for it.

Chances for both sides

A splendid, but unlucky Saad, had the first chances with 3 trademark shots that had Juanjo in trouble, although the visitors also had their chances through Gabriel and the stocky Betão, which were well dealt with by Cristian. A promising start culminated in the first goal, by Igor, who finished well after Juanjo had blocked a Wilde effort.

The game was very lively, with chances on both sides. The danger is constant against Inter, with players in their side like Betão, Marquinho, and Gabriel, and the something different that Borja brings to the game, but Barca Alusport, unlike other seasons, has no reason to envy the green machine.

After several minutes of uncertainty, and the game at a stalemate, another spark lit up the match. Igor and Wilde swapped roles to create an excellent chance, with an even better response from Juanjo. Just after that, the referees failed to see a clear hand-ball in the Inter area, and with the protests still going on, a wonderful piece of skill from Betão brought a free-kick that Ciço smacked against the bar.

Unlucky equaliser

The equalising goal came after a stroke of bad luck for Barça. Once again Betão created some space for himself and his shot took various rebounds, confusing Cristian. The Inter goalkeeper made a sensational double save from Marquinho and Gabriel, who then struck the post. Inter finished the stronger in the first half and Barça Alusport, were grateful for the few minutes rest

After the restart Barça took control of the match again, but were aware of the constant threat from Betão. Barça finally got their just reward with a great well-placed shot from Fernandão, putting them 2-1 ahead.

The ever lively Betão let Barça off the hook, missing a great chance, but the next goal was scored by the team who deserved it, Barça. Almost immediately, Inter conceded a 4th after a quick counter attack led by Igor and Fernandäo, the latter scoring well

More goals

Over 3,200 Barça fans were witness to a goal feast, with Inter trying to change the game by playing a rush-goalkeeper. Gabriel, with a cross-shot made it 4-2, but Barça Alusport went 5-2 up with a goal from Chico, with four minutes left to play.

Juanra scored for the visitors with a long shot to make it 5-3 and the emorion carried on until the end, with Inter Movistar looking for the miracle and Barça looking to put the game beyond doubt with counter-attacks. Wilde, with a double penalty, and Cristian, came close to scoring, but the important thing was that the three points went to the home team.