Futsal Champions League: Murata off to a flying start, Yerevan beaten 3-1

Fiorentino had closed last summer’s campaign with a win – the first, historic victory for a club from the Titan in European futsal – and Murata, at the start of this new adventure, were determined to follow suit. The Bianconeri – without the suspended Busignani and Moretti – brushed aside Yerevan 3-1, inspired by an irresistible hat-trick from Antonio Jamičić, the marquee signing brought in specifically for this Champions League Preliminary Round being played on Macedonian soil. Protti is called into early action by Yeghiazaryan’s left foot, a threat the San Marino goalkeeper neutralises with the help of the woodwork. Jamičić also needs little time to make his presence felt: the Croatian dances past Muradyan with a series of feints, before finishing the move with a shot that whistles just wide. Shortly afterwards, a huge chance falls to De Angelis, but Mkrtchyan stands tall to deny him. A very similar scene unfolds at the other end, with Protti taking centre stage in his duel with Grigoryan. The deadlock is broken shortly before the midway point of the first half. Jamičić reads the play superbly to intercept on the touchline, and then unleashes a powerful, angled left-foot strike that leaves Mkrtchyan rooted. The latter is then forced into heroics to keep out a thunderbolt from stand-in captain Mattioli. Protti responds in kind to thwart Yeghiazaryan, but the Murata keeper can do nothing about Khatuev’s precise close-range finish, expertly picked out by Hakobyan. The first half ends level at 1-1.

The Armenians open the second half with a spectacular corner routine: a back-heel from Yesayan releases Yeghiazaryan, who somehow squanders a gilt-edged chance just a few yards from Protti. The Murata keeper then outdoes himself first on Hakobyan and then on Yeghiazaryan in the same move, while his opposite number Mkrtchyan pushes up into Murata’s half as Yerevan opt for the classic flying goalkeeper tactic. It proves a costly move: a sloppy piece of play from Mkrtchyan himself allows Jamičić to pounce on the loose ball and immediately steer it into the empty net, restoring Murata’s lead. The blow shakes Yerevan’s confidence, and they soon lose another dangerous ball from a kick-in: Jamičić races clear, but this time Mkrtchyan does well to make amends. Protti is also excellent – in fact outstanding – in turning away another vicious left-foot strike from Yeghiazaryan. Yerevan persist with the flying keeper: Belloni intercepts and lifts a lob that Mkrtchyan claws away with a superb save. The duel is renewed moments later and the Armenian keeper’s intervention is even more sensational, as Belloni’s powerful, pinpoint drive from number 20 seemed destined for the back of the net. Yerevan then go close again when Yesayan’s placed right-foot effort clips the outside of the post. But that is the Armenians’ final threat. Murata defend with organisation and grit, biding their time for the chance to put the three points on ice. And, inevitably, that chance comes from another reckless bout of passing at the back by their opponents: just as before, Jamičić gratefully accepts and finds the net from inside his own half. In the closing stages, an identical opportunity falls to Mattioli, who is denied by the post. Minor details for a Murata side that begin their campaign in the best possible fashion and who will be back on court this evening (20:30) to face hosts Forca, who in the meantime have cruised to a 4-0 win over Andorran side Encamp. It already has all the makings of a play-off decider.

UEFA Futsal Champions League, Preliminary Round | Yerevan – Murata 1-3

YEREVAN

Mkrtchyan, Mamikonyan, Patatyan, Yeghiazaryan, Yesayan

Substitutes: Ghazaryan, Margarian, Ghazaryan, Khatuev, Hakobyan, Muradyan, Mkrtchyan, Grigoryan, Chiloyan

Head coach: Khachatur Mikayelyan

MURATA

Protti, Maiani, Mattioli, Jamičić, Ercolani

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

Head coach: Massimiliano Spada

Referee 1: George Jansizian (SWE)

Referee 2: Sven Schreiber (GER)

Referee 3: Pawel Tokarewicz (POL)

Timekeeper: Done Ristovski (MKD)

Booked: Ercolani, Yeghiazaryan

Scorers: 10:52, 25:30 and 36:55 Jamičić, 17:05 Khatuev