Joel Rocha’s men were beaten 6-2 AET by defending Kazahk Champions Kairat today in the quarterfinals of the UEFA Futsal Champions League in Zadar, Croatia. The match ended 2-2 at full time meaning the two sides had to play two 5 minute Extra Time periods. It was the Kazahks drawing first blood through Gadeia with 5 minutes remaining in the first half. The Glorioso drew level 30 seconds later through Afonso Jesus taking the teams to locker room at halftime all tied up at 1. In the second half Kairat again took the lead when Edson beat Benfica’s Brazil International Goalkeeper Roncalglio with 10 minutes to play. Tiago Brito leveled for Benfica 5 minutes later sending the match to extra time.
Dauren Tursagulov put the Kazahks back in front 20 seconds from the end of the first extra time, and after the two sides switch ends it was again Kairat finding the back of the net. This time Gadeia doubled his tally and double his side’s lead from the second penalty due to Benfica’s accumulation of direct fouls. Joel Rocha was then forced to employ a “Flying Goalkeeper (similar to an Ice Hockey coach pulling his goaltender to add an extra skater)” but Benfica’s slow and predictable movement of the ball resulted in turnovers and the Kazahks getting 2 goals from essentially empty goals. Benfica bow out and Kairat will wait for the winner of the next quarterfinal between current European Champions Barcelona and Slovenian side Dobovec who will play later today on the same court.
Mister Benfica 