Italy needed just two games to mathematically qualify for the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup Europe Qualifier competition in Moscow. After beating Kazakhstan in their opening fixture, Emiliano Del Duca’s side also emerged victorious against the Czech Republic in their second game in Group C. The Azzurri’s 10-1 win sees them move up to six points and guarantees a top two finish. The best three teams in each group will all qualify for the final 16, plus the best fourth-placed team. The match against Poland, who are also currently sitting on maximum points, will be important as Italy look to finish first and ensure more favourable fixtures further on in the competition. The game will be played on Monday 22 July at 17:45 CEST and shown live on beachsoccer.com/live.

As regards the match against the Czechs, the Azzurri dominated from the start and eventually ran out comfortable winners. As is often the case, Gabriele Gori was heavily involved and scored four times to take his tally to 239 goals in 150 appearances for his country. Zurlo got in on the act too, netting a brace. Also on the scoresheet were captain Corosiniti, Chiavaro and Palmacci, the latter of whom found the back of the net for the 209th time for Italy and continues to be the Azzurri’s record appearance holder (246).

Head Coach Emiliano Del Duca was delighted: “We played with intensity, as I’d asked of the lads. They responded magnificently to my requests. Compared to the first game, we were more precise in front of goal. We’re growing game after game and moving towards the more demanding fixtures in the best possible way. We want to secure first spot in the group and will look to do so against Poland.”

Gabriele Gori was once again decisive: “We did well to control matters from the beginning, this was the strong start we wanted. In the final part of the match, we tried out various ploys to try to make ourselves even more unpredictable. Now, we’ll rest ahead of our upcoming games.”

Experienced goalkeeper Simone Del Mestre, who’s approaching 200 caps for the National Team, also had his say: “After our opening fixture, which was also complicated by the fact that we had to adapt to this particular sand, we were incisive and ruthless today. We managed to win without any problems. The team are doing well, morale is high, we’re determined and ready to face anyone. We’ll show respect but there won’t be any fear.”

This is a National Team who can also count on the support of Guido De Sanctis, the Deputy Head of Mission of the Italian Embassy in Russia, who met the players this morning, gave them his encouragement and underlined the importance of their participation in this competition.

THE MATCH

ITALY 10-1 CZECH REPUBLIC (4-0; 4-0; 2-1)

Italy: Del Mestre, Carpita, Corosiniti (Cap.), Marinai, Chiavaro, Ramacciotti, Josep Jr., Palmacci, Gori, Zurlo. Head Coach: Emiliano Del Duca

Czech Republic: Barti, Hurab, D. Vales, Jerabek, Trampota, Pekaerk, Klima, Kortvelyesi, Vyhnal, Andrle, Folejtar. Head Coach: Martin Dlouhy

Referees: Gonzales, Gomes and Smolyaninov

Goals: (first period) 5’ Zurlo (I), 7’ Corosiniti (I), 9’ Gori (I), 9’ pen. Gori (I); (second period) 4’ Palmacci (I); 8’ Gori (I), 8’ pen. Gori (I), 10’ Chiavaro (I); (third period) 4’ own goal Kortvelyesi (I), 7’ D. Vales (C), 11’ Zurlo (I)

Bookings: Zurlo (I), Jerabek (R)


FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2019 – Europe Qualifier

RESULTS

Friday 19 July
Poland 3-2 Czech Republic
Kazakhstan 2-5 Italy

Saturday 20 July
Polond 3-2 Kazakhstan
Italy 10-1 Czech Republic

Group C standings: Italy and Poland 6 points; Czech Republic and Kazakhstan 0

SCHEDULE

Monday 22 July (all times CEST)
12:30 Czech Republic vs. Kazakhstan
17.45 Italy vs. Poland

Tuesday 23 July
Round of 16

Wednesday 24 July
Round Robin

Thursday 25 July
Round Robin

Friday 26 July
Round Robin

Saturday 27 July
Play Off and Final