Colombia and Spain began their FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup campaigns with victories over Canada and Thailand respectively.
Thailand took the fight to Spain but in the end succumbed to a 5-2 defeat in their opening Group B tie.Thailand will next face Canada – who lost 2-0 to Colombia in the other game.
A thrilling first half saw Spain open the scoring in the seventh minute when Vane Sotelo drove past Nattamon Artkla before firing into the roof of the net from an acute angle.
Thailand’s pressing worked two minutes later as they won the ball on the halfway line through Arriya Saetoen, who fed Jenjira Bubpha for the finish.
Spain regained their lead in the 11th minute after Irene Cordoba turned Sangrawee Meekham to fire home but Thailand equalised again three minutes later through another turnover, Paerploy Huajaipetch dispossessed Anita Perez to allow Sasikarn Tongdee to sidefoot in.
The European side, however, went on to take the lead into the break thanks to an outstanding Laura Cordoba strike from distance that gave Sasiprapha Suksen no chance.
If the first half was balanced, the second half belonged to Spain as the European side stepped up another gear.
Another long range strike from Cordoba extended Spain’s lead in the 28th minute before Maria Sanz Navarro slid in to knock home Laura Sanchez’s through pass four minutes later to seal the win.
“I feel more relaxed now. It was a tough match, but I think we knew how to suffer, how to compete, and in the end we managed to win it. The first goal is something you never forget. I’ll always keep it in my memory, and with a lot of joy, ” said Spanish fixo Laura Cordoba.
Goalkeepers dominated the tie between Canada and Colombia. The reflexes of Colombia goalkeeper Alisson Olave and her Canada counterpart Lea Palacio-Tellier were otherworldly as the action flung from end to end.
Esther Brossard dazzled for the North Americans, while Camargo and Mancilla netted for the South Americans. Colombia collected maximum points, but Canada earned the utmost respect for their endeavours.
“It was tough, especially in the first half. The nerves usually play tricks on us, but I think we were able to respond in the second half. We’ve worked on very specific things, and the nerves are always there, even if you can’t see them. Breathing helps me a lot. Talking to myself really calms me down. Focusing on my breathing is the foundation for staying composed between the posts,” said Olave.
