Rampant Russia see off Romania challenge
Monday, February 3, 2014
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Romania 0-6 Russia
Russia cruised through to the semi-finals, with three more Eder Lima goals taking his tournament-leading tally to seven.
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Russia produced their third fine attacking performance of UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 to earn a semi-final place.
Romania lost 2-1 to Russia in qualifying in March but this was a more convincing scoreline. Eder Lima scored three to take his competition-leading tally to seven goals, in a Russian total so far of 17, and on Thursday they will play Spain or Slovenia.
Eder Lima hit the post early on, while at the other end Gustavo stopped Marian Șotărcă's effort after a long thrown clearance from Vlad Iancu. However, the Romania goalkeeper could do nothing about Robinho's long-range drive that broke the deadlock in the third minute.
Emil Răducu, whose team-mate Ion Al-Ioani was out injured, nearly turned a header into his own net, but cleared off the line himself with an overhead kick. It was soon 2-0, though Vladislav Shayakhmetov advancing, exchanging passes with Cirilo, then lashing the ball in. Shayakhmetov then turned provider, his shot parried by Iancu for Eder Lima to tap in.
Andrei Grigoraş now replaced Iancu while Răducu had a shot saved by Gustavo. Russia, barely missing the suspended Pula, threatened again when Sergei Sergeev's thunderbolt hammered the frame of goal, and Dmitri Lyskov too hit the woodwork. Soon Grigoraş was beaten, chipped by Eder Lima after he robbed Cosmin Gherman in midfield.
Romania captain Robert Lupu donned the flying goalkeeper's shirt for the second half, though Grigoraş was back in to deny Eder Lima from point-blank range. With the extra outfield player giving Romania more possession, Gustavo was being made to work more than before the interval, though Sergei Abramov put the ball past the post and Grigoraş dived to stop Eder Lima's back-heel.
The fifth goal did arrive, though, from Sergeev following Lyskov's cross while on the break Eder Lima missed an empty net and chipped over. He was not to be denied a hat-trick after Romania lost the ball in defence. Romania, as in their previous finals appearances of 2007 and 2012, are out in the last eight.
