Photography: Felipe Echeverría - Santiago Barcacel
In an exciting fourth day of the VIII FIFUSA Indoor Soccer World Championship, the United States achieved its first victory of the tournament, complicating France's position in Group A. Goals from Bentallah Ali (#10) and Omar Iahbiki (#8) They ensured the victory for the Americans, while Henry Scott (#3) scored for the French.
France arrived after a comfortable 8-0 victory against Haiti, recovering from its defeat in the debut against Colombia (2-5). The United States, for its part, was coming off a crushing 0-7 defeat against the hosts and was looking to get back on its feet in this crucial match.
The match was marked by the need for both teams to score points, which resulted in an impressive physical display. France tried to take the initiative from the first minutes with several shots at the goal defended by Miguel Burciaga (#12), but the American goalkeeper was solid and kept a clean sheet.
The first goal came in the 3rd minute, when Termeau Quentin (#7) of France attempted a pass into the area that was intercepted by Bentallah Ali (#10), who took the opportunity to open the scoring and put the United States ahead.
A key moment of the first half was the injury of Ken Traung (#2) of the United States, who had to leave the field in the 9th minute after a blow. Despite the opportunities generated by both teams, the score did not move until the 17th minute, when Henry Scott (#3) of France equalized after recovering a ball in the area and finishing powerfully. The first half ended with a 1-1 tie.
In the second half, the United States came out with greater determination. At minute 10, Omar Iahbiki (#8) overtook the left wing, and with a cross shot he returned the advantage to the Americans, leaving the score at 2-1.
The intensity of the match increased, and in the 13th minute there were several warnings: Antony Suliaman (#6) of the United States received the first yellow card for a strong tackle, followed by Henry Scott (#3), who was also cautioned. In the 16th minute, Denin Ogiegevas (#4) of the United States received the yellow card for a hard tackle in the area.
The tension reached its peak when Tehar Mehdi (#6) of France was sent off with a blue card for an off-ball tackle on Omar Iahbiki (#8). The situation worsened when the United States assistant coach was sent off with a red card after arguing with the French players, which heightened the rivalry in a second half full of emotions.
Lineups:
France (DT: Kefi Aykel):
Headlines:
#1: Grajon Clement (Captain)
#4: Majdour Youssef
#10: Bentallah Ali
#11: Decouard Antoine
#7: Termeau Quentin
Substitutes:
#3: Nepoty Sacha
#8: Mathieu Jessy
#6: Tehar Mehdi (Expelled)
#2: The Bovich Yassine
#9: Martin Michael
#5: Michael Pricur
#12: Merille Steeve
United States (DT: Parse Branigan):
Headlines:
#12: Miguel Burciaga (Goalkeeper)
#11: Costautina Wells
#8: Omar Iahbiki (1 Goal)
#3: Henry Scott (1 Goal, Yellow Card)
#7: Addullah Esaleh
Substitutes:
#5: Ah Med Abderrahm
#4: Denin Ogiegevas (Warned)
#2: Ken Traung (Injured)
#6: Antony Suliaman (Warned)
FIFUSA PRESS