The futsal players defeated the Croats in the penalty draw and are at the World Cup

“It’s amazing for the whole Czech futsal. I hope he will use it, because this process at the World Cup can help us a lot. Not only in marketing and in terms of media, but also for beginners, it’s a great advertisement for futsal,” said coach Neumann in an interview for Czech Television.

The Croats started better in the Vodov hall and in the fourth minute they were sent to the lead by the former Spartan Novak, but Holý answered in three minutes. In the 17th minute, Matoševič scored the second goal of the guests, but 36 seconds before the break, Záruba equalized with a dotted shot.

“We knew we were playing on a faster deck, that there would be faster balloons and that we had to play more actively (than in the first match). If we didn’t play more actively, it could have been death for us,” Neumann warned.

A balanced battle continued even after the change of sides. The Czechs were lucky in the 31st minute, when Perič threw a huge chance and hit the stick three times up close in front of the exposed goal. The home goalkeeper Vahala and his counterpart Primič performed several good interventions and the score did not change in normal playing time.

The Croats were more active in the first part of the overtime, Marinovič failed on their biggest opportunity in the 42nd minute. The second five-minute game was more tactical and more cautious on both sides.

The tight penalty shootout was decided by the eighth series. On the Czech side, Záruba and Křivánek did not change their attempts; Kanjuh, Horvat and Matoševič, who were caught by Vahal, failed among the Croatian executors. Vokoun gave the decisive penalty.

“It was terrible for the boys, I’m there to catch something. I think the penalties from six are quite good for me. God forbid it hit me there three times and the boys changed theirs,” said Ondřej Vahala.

“Since I was destined for long penalties, I went to try the short one, even though I only kicked it for the second or third time in my life. I wanted to close my eyes and hit the crossbar and absolutely missed it, so I’m glad it there he somehow went through the violin, “added Jiří Vokoun.

The World Championship in Lithuania was originally scheduled to take place this year, but was postponed to next year due to a coronavirus pandemic. The Czech futsal national team achieved the best result at the World Cup in 2012 in Thailand, where it reached the round of 16. Neumann’s selection did not qualify for the last tournament four years ago in Colombia.

Retaliation match for the promotion to the Futsal World Championships in Brno:

CR – Croatia 2: 2 after extra time (2: 2, 2: 2), on a 6: 5 penalty

Goals: 7. Holý, 20. Záruba – 4. Novak, 17. Matoševič. Penalties changed: Koudelka, Vnuk, Holý, Seidler, Slováček, Vokoun – Marinovič, Jelovčič, Suton, Perič, Djuraš. They did not change: Záruba, Křivánek – Kanjuh, Horvat, Matoševič. The first match: 2: 2, the Czech Republic advanced.

Czech Republic: Vahala (German) – Záruba, Slováček, Koudelka, D. Drozd – Baran, Vokoun, Křivánek, Seidler, Holý, Janovský, Vnuk. Coach: Neumann.

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