Kairat Almaty, from Kazakhstan, was crowned this Saturday the great champion of the sixth edition of the Record International Masters Futsal 2023, played in Portimão, by defeating SC Braga by 1-0 in the third round, and thus winning the three games disputed.
A goal from the pivot Dener at the back post in the 39th minute – now isolated in command of the best scorers with four accurate shots – dictated the outcome of the match, after an excellent assist from Caio Ruiz, a Brazilian winger who passed through Portimonense and Sporting, and who unlocked the result by “writing” a fantastic move in Portimão.
At the end of the match, the medals and trophy delivery ceremony took place to Kairat, in the hands of captain Higuita. The Kazakh team succeeds Sporting on the list of winners.
Despite less "salt" - read goals -, the recipe dictated a Futsal game at Portimão Arena, with uncertainty in the result over the 40 minutes, full of intensity, shots, defenses and competitiveness.
This Sunday, at 11 am, Benfica and Anderlecht face each other, with the winner guaranteeing second place in the tournament. At 15 pm, Sporting and Palma close out the Masters, in the re-edition of the last Champions League final.
In SC Braga's initial choices, Joel Rocha – with everyone available on the sheet – put Dudu in goal, with Ygor Mota, Tiago Brito, Robinho and Henmi in front.
On Kairat's side – Douglas Jr., injured, was an important low -, Higuita, Edson, Rashit, Caio Ruiz and Allison were Marlon Velasco's bets for the starting five.
With a lot of rotation on the benches, both coaches threatened with the strategy of the raised goalkeeper, to simultaneously lower the opponent's defensive lines and manage to gain possession of the ball (to rest and/or attack the opponent). Ítalo and Allan, on one side, and Allison, Dener, Alex Viana and Tursagulov on the other, were the service pivots, embodying the 3:1 system, preferred by both teams.
At seven minutes, an error in possession dictated a double delay for Dudu and led to the consequent indirect free kick at six meters in favor of Kairat, in the frontal zone. Caio Ruiz stepped for Pedrinho, who shot for an excellent save by the Braga keeper.
The individualized defenses with strong pressure on the ball, and the audible intensity in the duels, forced constant changes of speed.
In the 16th minute, Ítalo sent a bomb to the post, in the great occasion for SC Braga in the first half.
Well-defined ball possessions, with good risk management and security, dictated judicious moments and zones of ball losses and, consequently, generated few counterattacks.
The first half was marked by many shots, but fewer clear opportunities, so the goalless draw adjusted to the break.
After the rest, now with Deivd in Braga's goal, it was more of the same, in a good way. Game very divided, with nothing free in the last meters of the finishing cone and a lot of balance.
At 31 minutes, Robinho had (almost) the best chance to open the scoring on his feet. Henmi pierced well on the left, in the one-on-one, and literally delivered on a platter to the middle, with the 'young veteran' in goal close to being able to deflect to the back of the net. The well-known “bruá” was heard in the Arena.
Countdown on the clock, excitement rising on the pitch.
In the 39th minute, Kairat permanently sealed the title in the Masters by scoring the only goal of the match. Caio Ruiz sat Henmi on the right wing, in his own way, he tackled with quality with the short support – the classic give and take in front – and excellently assisted Dener to the back post.
Joel Rocha immediately bet on Deivd as a goalkeeper… more forward than up, but the need to quickly score two goals together with the extra motivation of the Kazakh team, “already with the trophy in their hands”, did not translate into the intended goal .
A word to coaches
Joel Rocha:
“Separating the result from the final product, which we managed to put into practice in these games. It is an extremely meritorious performance and very qualified. I am very satisfied with what my team has done.”
Robinho:
“We played well. They were happier. We had many opportunities to score but in the end we had to take a risk and they took advantage of it. We have an excellent group, an excellent family. Today there is already a Sp. Braga to face any team.”
Marlon Velasco:
“The sensations are very positive. We are at a stage of the season where results are not the most important thing, but it's good that we can always be competitive. On top of that we had some important casualties, but it was good. We knew how to suffer, we were a brave team and I'm very happy with what we took from here. Congratulations to the team for the trophy, but also to the organization for this spectacular tournament!”
Higuita:
“The spirit of a final in this great pre-season tournament was good. It was the first trophy of the year and we are very happy. I will not hide that we entered very seriously and to win this prestigious tournament.”
Photos: Nelson Ferreira | Sul Informação
SC BRAGA 0-1 KAIRAT ALMATY
At halftime: 0-0
Arbitration team:
1rd referee: Ruben Santos
2nd referee: David Pereira
3st referee: Eduardo Coelho
Timekeeper: Pedro Costa
Marker march:
0-1 (39') Dener
Starting fives:
– SC BRAGA: Dudu, Tiago Brito, Robinho, Ygor Mota and Henmi
Coach: Joel Rocha
Captain: Tiago Brito
– KAIRAT: Higuita, Rashit, Edson, Pedrinho and Alisson
Coach: Marlon Velasco
Captain: Higuita
Discipline:
SC Braga: Nothing to report
Kairat: Caio Ruiz (39)
Faults:
1st half: 2-3
2st half: 2-4
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