Tournament begins in Uzbekistan

Croatia defeated by Thailand in the World Championship opener

14.09.2024.

Photo by: Getty Images

In the first match of the world tournament in Uzbekistan, the Croatian futsal national team faced Thailand, who secured a valuable victory.

CROATIA - THAILAND 1:2 (0:1)
Futsal World Championship, Group B.
Sports Complex, Bukhara.

Referee: C. Espindola.

Scorers:
0:1 - Osamanmusa (3')
0:2 - Jungwongsuk (30')
1:2 - Sekulić (31')

Yellow card: Jelovčić (28')

Croatia: Primić, Vukmir, Jelovčić, Perić, Novak; Bašković, Kustura, Čekol, Kuraja, Marinović, Sekulić, Jurlina, Mataja. Coach: M. Mavrović.

Thailand: Senbat, Praphaphan, Phalaphruek, Jungwongsuk, Osamanmusa; Hankampa, Wingwon, Sornwichian, Wongakaeo, Janphon, Aransanyalak, Srirangpirot, Thueanklang, Chaemcharoen. Coach: M. Rodrigo.

After a 24-year wait, Croatia has returned as a participant in the Futsal World Championship, but in their first Group B match – also the first match of the entire tournament – they were unable to overcome Thailand's team.

The Thais took the lead as early as the third minute through Osamanmusa, after which Croatia took the initiative in search of an equalizer. However, in the 30th minute, Jungwongsuk scored from a crowded corner situation to extend the lead to 2-0.

Sekulić responded quickly from the edge of the penalty area to reduce the score to 2-1, but the result remained unchanged.

Croatia will face Brazil in the second round on Tuesday, and in the third round, they will take on Cuba.

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