Futsal Champions League: Brave but unlucky Murata edged out by Forca, now sole group leaders

The Group A top-of-the-table clash goes Forca’s way, with the Macedonians now out in front as sole leaders thanks to two wins from two. And, truth be told, a slice of luck also smiles on the home side, who are saved three times by the woodwork. A Seferi goal early in the second half proves decisive, sealing a 1-0 scoreline that complicates – but does not yet extinguish – Murata’s qualification dream. Roared on by the home crowd, Forca start by frightening Protti with a volley from Ismaili, beaten away by the Spada man’s outstretched foot. Murata reply with a thunderbolt from Moretti that flashes just wide. Jamičić, the star of the opening game, is keen to confirm himself as this Murata side’s added value. The Croatian produces a piece of skill and a shot that Fera gets a touch to with the help of the crossbar. Then Busignani – a big miss on matchday one, like Moretti – intercepts a ball in midfield and sparks a counter-attack that he himself finishes with a right-footed effort over the bar. Fera, the home goalkeeper, pushes up out of his own penalty area and, finding little opposition, drives all the way into shooting range at the other end, troubling Protti with a toe-poke that goes just wide. Protti again has to react sharply with his feet to deny Rivas Miranda, while Ercolani has a goal ruled out from a Mattioli free-kick because Busignani was deemed too close to the defensive wall set up by the home keeper. A rocket from Zekiri that crashes against the bar provides the closing snapshot of a very even first half.

The second half begins with the moment that breaks the game open: Jonuzi takes on Moretti and then fires in a low ball that Seferi turns past Protti. Shortly afterwards the move is repeated almost identically, except that this time it is Jamičić who throws himself in the way of Seferi’s effort. Busignani tries his luck from distance, drawing a superb save from Fera. The Murata captain then threads a pass through for Ercolani, who spins brilliantly and shoots against the inside of the post, allowing Fera to gratefully gather. Forca squander two chips (first from Ramadan, then from Linares Moreno) that looked destined to put a serious seal on the three points. Murata stay afloat and ramp up the pressure. Jamičić clips the post from a tight angle, then tries again from the opposite flank – the right – only to be denied by another fine stop from Fera. Murata’s final assaults feature a flying keeper (Ercolani), but they fail to yield the hoped-for breakthrough. Forca strengthen their grip on top spot but still cannot mathematically celebrate qualification for the next round. Murata, on Saturday at 17:30, will need a big performance against Andorran side Encamp – bottom of the group with zero points – and must also hope that Yerevan can play a nasty trick on the current leaders. In short, everything will be decided in the final 40 minutes of play.

UEFA Futsal Champions League, Preliminary Round | Forca – Murata 1-0

FORCA

Fera, Ramadani, Jonuzi, Seferi, Ismaili

Substitutes: Isaki, Leveski, Krstevski, Zekiri, Rivas Miranda, Ramadan, Mustafi, Linares Moreno, De Almeida Postigo

Head coach: Gazmed Hiseijini

MURATA

Protti, Moretti, Busignani, Jamičić, Ercolani

Substitutes: Geri, Giusti, Maiani, Zanotti, Ghiotti, Mattioli, Dominella, Belloni, De Angelis

Head coach: Massimiliano Spada

Referee 1: Sven Schreiber (GER)

Referee 2: Bryan Claude François (FRA)

Referee 3: George Jansizian (SWE)

Timekeeper: Done Ristovski (MKD)

Booked: Busignani

Scorer: 20:37 Seferi