A dramatic match complicated the route to World Cup qualification for Italy. In the second match of the final group at the FIFA World Cup - Europe Qualifier in Moscow, Emiliano Del Duca’s side drew 3-3 before losing on penalties to Belarus. It was an unexpected outcome with the Azzurri 3-1 up eight minutes from the end. In the final two minutes, Samsonov and Savich beat Del Mestre to bring Belarus level. Extra-time finished goalless and the Belorussians proved infallible from the spot and Makarevich saved from Zurlo. After a goalless first period that featured two big Italy chances, Belarus went ahead through Hapon. The Azzurri responded shortly after thorough Zurlo three minutes in before Gori found the net after 12 minutes to turn things around. Four minutes into the third period, a Marinai penalty seemed to wrap things up but an incredible end saw Belarus get back into it with two goals in the last two minutes.

Simone Marinai feels nothing is over: “It was a very tough game, today individual episodes went against us but nothing is lost. Tomorrow against Portugal is a final to win at all costs.”

In the group, the top two sides will qualify for the World Cup. Belarus are top on four points ahead of Italy and Portugal with three after they beat Poland 8-3. Tomorrow at 17:45 CEST, Italy will play Portugal in what is now a straight play-off to book a place in the World Cup in Paraguay. The loser will have a further chance to qualify should Belarus beat Poland in a play-off against the third-best side from the other group.

 

ITALY 3-3 Belarus (2-3 on penalties)

Italy: Del Mestre, Carpita, Corosiniti (Cap.), Frainetti, Chiavaro, Ramacciotti, Marinai, Josep Jr., Palmacci, Sciacca, Gori, Zurlo. Coach: Emiliano Del Duca
Belarus: Makarevich, Chaikouski, Hapon, Miranovich, Samsonov, Bokach, Drozd, Piatrouski, Ryabko, Savich, Kanstantsinau. Coach: Nikolas Alvarado

Referees: Mammadov (Azer), Gonzales (Spa) and Gomolko (Lit)
Goals: 1’ second period Hapon (B), 3’ second period Zurlo (I), 12’ second period Gori (I); 4’ third period pen. Marinai (I), 10’ third period Samsonov (B), 12’ third period Savich (B)
Penalties: Chiavaro (I) goal, Savich (B) goal, Gori (I) goal, Samsonov (B) goal, Zurlo (I) saved, Chaikouski (B) goal
Red card: 12’ third period Nikolas Alvarado (B)
Bookings: Ryabko, Hapon (B), Palmacci, Josep Jr (I)

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2019 – Europe Qualifier

RESULTS

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

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

Monday 22 July 
12:30 Czech Republic 2-3 Kazakhstan
17.45 Italy 4-1 Poland

Group C: Italy 9 points; Poland 6 points; Kazakhstan 3; Czech Republic 0

Tuesday 23 July
Round of 16

Italy 12-4 Kazakhstan 

Wednesday 24 July
Group 1 
Poland 1-3 Italy 
Belarus 3-2 Portugal

Thursday 25 July
Matchday Two 
Italy  Belarus (15:15)
Portugal 8-3 Poland (16:30)

Group 1 table: Belarus 6, Italy and Portugal 4. Poland 0

Thursday 26 July
Matchday Three 
Portugal vs. Italy (17:45)
Poland vs. Belarus ( 15:15)

Saturday 27 July
Play Off and Final