Ukraine futsal team defeats Portugal, the reigning European and World champion

25.08.2024 21:55

Today, August 25th, Ukraine's futsal team concluded their participation in the international tournament in Portugal with a match against the host nation.

As part of their preparation for the 2024 World Cup, Oleksandr Kosenko's squad traveled to the Portuguese city of Viseu to compete in a four-team tournament, all participants of the upcoming World Cup. Previously, the Ukrainians defeated Costa Rica (4:0) and Cuba (7:0), and today they faced the tournament hosts.

The Portuguese side initially created more dangerous chances, but the Blue and Yellows responded regularly. In one of these counterattacks in the 7th minute, Melnyk carried the ball forward and beat the opposing goalkeeper, opening the scoring.

In the 13th minute, Shoturma took a shot from a throw-in, and the goalkeeper got a touch, making it a goal (incidentally, this was the captain's 100th match for the Ukrainian national team). At the same time, our team committed too many fouls, allowing Portugal to earn a double penalty, but Sukhov saved Bruno Coelho's shot.

The hosts continued to press, but it was Ukraine who scored again. This time, Shoturma caught the goalkeeper off guard from a corner kick. Before halftime, Portugal earned another double penalty, but Sukhov once again denied André Coelho. Ukraine could have gone into the break with an even greater lead.

In the second half, the hosts pushed hard to equalize, and in the 27th minute, Cecílio reduced the deficit after a corner kick. However, Ukraine quickly responded with a fourth goal as Chernyavskyi headed in a beautiful goal from a Sukhov pass. Cecílio then scored again, finishing off a set piece, but almost immediately, Ukraine scored again when Shved followed up after a corner, with the ball deflecting off a Portuguese player into the net.

In the 36th minute, the Blue and Yellows continued their scoring spree, with Mykytyuk adding his name to the scoresheet. Portugal managed to score a third, but they had no chance of saving the match. Thus, Ukraine secured a 6:3 victory against the reigning European and World Champions, simultaneously winning the international tournament in Portugal.

International Futsal Tournament

August 22, 2024

Portugal — Cuba — 9:0

Costa Rica — Ukraine — 0:4

August 23, 2024

Portugal — Costa Rica — 6:1

Cuba — Ukraine — 0:7

August 25, 2024

Portugal — Ukraine — 3:6 (0:3)

Goals: Cecílio (27, 35), Rocha (36) — Melnyk (7), Shoturma (13, 16), Chernyavskyi (30), Cecílio (35, own goal), Mykytyuk (36).

In the 13th minute, B. Coelho (P) missed a double penalty (saved by the goalkeeper).

In the 16th minute, A. Coelho (P) missed a double penalty (saved by the goalkeeper).

Ukraine: Sukhov — Shved, Mykytyuk, Chernyavskyi, Shoturma; Tsypun, Melnyk, Semenchenko, Pedyash, Korsun, Zhuk, Zvarych, Farenyuk, Abakshyn.

Costa Rica — Cuba — 4:1

Standings

Afterward, Ukraine’s national team will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina for two more matches.

Friendly Matches:

August 28: Saudi Arabia — Ukraine

August 30: Ukraine — Libya

On August 31, the team will head to Kazakhstan for the final stage of their World Cup preparation, where they will acclimate to the time zone and climate. On September 11, they will arrive in Tashkent.

The final tournament of the 2024 Futsal World Cup, featuring Ukraine, will take place from September 14 to October 6 in three Uzbek cities — Andijan, Bukhara, and Tashkent. Fourteen players will be included in Ukraine’s World Cup roster.

2024 FIFA Futsal World Cup. Final tournament

Group A: Uzbekistan, Netherlands, Paraguay, Costa Rica.

Group B: Brazil, Cuba, Croatia, Thailand.

Group C: Argentina, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Angola.

Group D: Spain, Kazakhstan, New Zealand, Libya.

Group E: Portugal, Panama, Tajikistan, Morocco.

Group F: Iran, Venezuela, Guatemala, France.

Group C

September 15, 2024

Afghanistan vs. Angola (15:30, Tashkent)

Argentina vs. Ukraine (18:00, Tashkent)

September 18, 2024

Angola vs. Ukraine (15:30, Tashkent)

Argentina vs. Afghanistan (18:00, Tashkent)

September 21, 2024

Ukraine vs. Afghanistan (18:00, Andijan)

Angola vs. Argentina (18:00, Tashkent)

Round of 16

September 24, 2024

37. 1B vs. 3ACD (15:30, Bukhara)

38. 2A vs. 2C (18:00, Tashkent)

September 25, 2024

39. 1D vs. 3BEF (15:30, Andijan)

40. 1A vs. 3CDE (18:00, Tashkent)

September 26, 2024

41. 1F vs. 2E (15:30, Bukhara)

42. 1E vs. 2D (18:00, Andijan)

September 27, 2024

43. 2B vs. 2F (15:30, Bukhara)

44. 1C vs. 3ABF (18:00, Tashkent)

Quarter-finals

September 29, 2024

45. Winner of 37 vs. Winner of 41 (15:30, Bukhara)

46. Winner of 38 vs. Winner of 39 (18:00, Tashkent)

September 30, 2024

47. Winner of 43 vs. Winner of 40 (15:30, Bukhara)

48. Winner of 42 vs. Winner of 44 (18:00, Tashkent)

Semi-finals

October 2, 2024

49. Winner of 46 vs. Winner of 45 (18:00, Tashkent)

October 3, 2024

50. Winner of 48 vs. Winner of 47 (18:00, Tashkent)

Third-place Playoff

October 6, 2024

Loser of 49 vs. Loser of 50 (15:30, Tashkent)

Final

October 6, 2024

Winner of 49 vs. Winner of 50 (18:00, Tashkent)

Match times are in Kyiv time.