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Palma retain UEFA Futsal Champions with Iranian players
Missing the suspended Ernesto, Palma still began the game the brighter and Didac Plana was soon made to work by Chaguinha, Bruno Gomes (back from a semi-final ban) and former Barça man Mario Rivillos, according to UEFA.
For all the holders’ vim, however, it was Barça who took the lead late in the first half, Catela sending Adolfo clear on the right to place his shot inside the far post.
With just under two minutes left in the first half, Rômulo levelled as he connected perfectly with Chaguinha’s deep corner – but Palma were not out of the woods yet. On five fouls, they then conceded two ten-metre penalties, swapping in captain Carlos Barrón for Luan Muller to deny both Catela and Ferrao.
Getting to half-time at 1-1 seemed enough for the reigning champions, yet with seven seconds to go before the break they struck again, Vilian Lourenço powering in a low free-kick.
Barça piled on the pressure in the second half, with Sergio Lozano (aiming for a record fifth personal title) smashing the ball against the crossbar. Palma kept holding out even as Mamadou Touré hit the post with a shot as powerful as Lozano’s, and Catela seemed certain to score but was denied by a sensational Luan Muller reflex save.
Not long afterwards, it was 3-1 as Luan Muller began an attack that ended with Vilian Lourenço squaring for Neguinho to stretch and poke home. Barça tried everything, with Lozano on as flying keeper, but he was to receive a red card with just over a minute left for handball.
Now Palma pressed home their advantage as Chaguinha, named Player of the Tournament, rolled the ball into an empty net. Neguinho then added another in the final seconds to truly begin Palma’s party.
Iranian international players Hossein Tayyebi and Moslem Oladghobad are members of AE Palma Futsal in Spain.
Antonio Vadillo, Palma coach said “What’s better than winning a second time in a row? To win a third! Seriously, I couldn’t be prouder of my players because what we achieved was unbelievable. It’s not easy at all to play at the level we played tonight and against such a strong opponent like Barça. We fully deserved to win the final and I think we were by far the better team.”
Also, Chaguinha, Player of the Tournament said: “To win the Champions League last year was already like a dream come true, but to do it twice in a row? I can’t even put it into words. Of course, I’m happy with this award, but I think every single one in the team deserves it and I’m not talking only about the players. It took a lot of hard work from everyone to get here, and tonight we left it all on the pitch because that was the only way we could be celebrating right now.”