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Close to victory

Draw with Russia sends Croatia home

07.02.2016.

Draw with Russia sends Croatia home
Photo by: Mario Ćužić

On Sunday, Croatia had the lead against Russia on two occasions, but could not secure quarterfinal berth.

CROATIA - RUSSIA 2:2 (1:1)
UEFA Futsal EURO, Group C.
Arena Beograd, Belgrade.

Referees: Pelissier (Francuska), Zahovič (Slovenija)

Goalscorers: 1:0 - Robinho (9' - ag), 1:1 - Abramov (12'), 2:1 - Novak (25'), 2:2 - Pereverzev (39')

Yellow cards: Kutuzov (3'), Jelovčić (3'), Lyskov (10'), Suton (16')

Croatia: Jukić, Jelovčić, Novak, Marinović, Suton; Bilić, Matošević, Grcić, Grbeša, Petrović, Babić, Pandurević, Đuraš, Horvat. Head coach: M. Stanković.

Russia: Gustavo, Kutuzov, Milovanov, Davydov, Robinho; Vikulov, Shayakhmetov, Sergeev, Romulo, Pereverzev, Lyskov, Eder Lima, Abramov, Shakirov. Head coach: S. Skorovich.

Foto: Mario Ćužić

Following the loss against Kazakhstan on Friday, Croatia was seeking a two-goal margin victory against European vice-champions Russia to go through to the second round.

Croatia crowned quality opening minutes with a goal in the ninth minute, when Matošević's effort from the left was deflected by Robinho into his own net.

Foto: Mario Ćužić

However, Russia found the equalizer following Robinho's corner in the 12th minute. Jukić could not stop Abramov's excellent volley, and the teams went to half-time break with 1:1 score, and five fouls each.

Five minutes into the second half, Jelovčić found Novak with a beautiful back-heel move, and Novak beat Gustavo in one-on-one situation to get Croatia back in front.

Foto: Mario Ćužić

A third goal for Croatia would then be enough, but Russia finally exploited Croatian risk-taking in the closing minutes through Pereverzev strike for 2:2.

Novak then failed to convert a penalty and Russia could start celebrating topping the Group C.

UEFA Futsal EURO, Group C:
1. Russia 4
2. Kazakhstan 3
3. Croatia 1

Foto: Mario Ćužić

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