New Zealand have lost their opening game at the 2024 FIFA Futsal Men’s World Cup, losing 3-1 to Libya.
For Libya, it was their first win at a futsal World Cup, while the Futsal Whites were making their first-ever appearance at the tournament.
Mohamed Khamis gave Libya the lead in the 7th minute and the match developed into a tight affair, with nothing much between the sides.
However, the turning point came in the 29th minute when Mohamed Zreeg doubled Libya’s lead, forcing New Zealand to risk everything as the clock ran down.
In the final minute, with New Zealand throwing everyone forward, Libya goalkeeper Feras Abuksheam launched a shot from his own goal into his opponents’ empty net.
The Futsal Whites still had time to score a consolation goal, through Jordi Ditfort, in the dying seconds, giving Ditfort the honour of scoring his country’s first goal at a futsal World Cup.
WATCH: Highlights from New Zealand’s opening game at FIFA Futsal World Cup >>>>
New Zealand play Spain, who are rated #3 in the FIFA world rankings, in their next group game, on Thursday.
In the other Group B game, Spain and Kazakhstan drew 1-1.
Results
Game played on Sunday September 15, 2024 (NZT)
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Cup
New Zealand 1 (Jordi Ditfort 40’)
Libya 3 (Mohamed Khamis 7’, Mohamed Zreeg 29’, Feras Abuksheam 40’)
Spain 1 (Jesus Gordillo 17’)
Kazakhstan 1 (Birzhan Orazov 1’)
Line-ups
New Zealand
Mikhail Antamanov, Logan Wisnewski, Rahan Ali, Dylan Manickum, Jordan Ditfort.
Subs: Patrick Steele, Miroslav Malivuk, Ethan Martin, Stephen Ashby-Peckham, Art Twigg, Adam Paulsen, Hamish Grey, Oban Hawkins, Casey Sharplin.
Libya
Feras Abuksheam, Ahmed Abdeihafide, Abraheem Suhayb, Ibrahim Lemhammel, Ali Jazoora.
Subs: Ziyad Azeez, Suliman Aldrwlsh, Husam Banina, Mohamed Suleiman, Mohamed Khamis, Rashid Hakam, Mohamed Zreeg, Ahmed Alajnef, Ahmed Alyamny.
Referee
Anatoliy Rubakov (Uzbekistan)
Fixtures
Game to be played on Thursday September 19, 2024 (NZT)
New Zealand v Spain
Andijan Universal Sports Complex, Andijan, Uzbekistan, 3am (NZT)
Game to be played on Sunday September 22, 2024
FIFA Futsal Men’s World Cup
New Zealand v Kazakhstan
Humo Arena, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 12.30am (NZT)
This story was first published on September 15, 2024.
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