Slov-Matic and Dina off and running
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
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Contrasting wins put Slov-Matic Bratislava and ISK Dina Moskva in early control of Group B, leaving Araz Naxçivan and hosts FK EP Chrudim with work to do.
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Slov-Matic Bratislava and ISK Dina Moskva are the early pacesetters in UEFA Futsal Cup elite round Group B, both recording wins on the opening day ahead of Wednesday's second matches. The winners of the four elite round sections qualify for the knockout finals in April.
Group B day one
Araz Naxçivan 3-4 Slov-Matic Bratislava
• Having received a bye to the elite round, two-time semi-finalists Araz recovered from Michal Seidler's opening goal to lead thanks to goals from Fineo and Rizvan Farzaliye early in the second half. Slovakia's Slov-Matic piled on the pressure, however, and got their reward when Tomáš Drahovský made it 2-2. Araz reacted by introducing a flying goalkeeper but, though they hit the woodwork, the Azerbaijan team were unable to regain the lead and their risky approach backfired when Anton Brunovský scored twice in the closing stages, Eduardo's late strike not dampening Slov-Matic's loud celebrations.
FK EP Chrudim 0-3 ISK Dina Moskva
• Debutants Dina began the section in confident mood, being denied by Chrudim goalkeeper Olinha several times in the opening stages before two goals from captain Dmitri Prudnikov put the Russian club in charge. Group hosts Chrudim played with Michal Mareš as a flying goalkeeper for virtually all whole second half, but saw many of their shots blocked, Felipe Deyvisson also hitting the post, and a third goal on the counterattack from Esquerdinha sealed their fate.
Starting tomorrow: Group D (Barcelona)
