SAN MARINO – A tough start for Murata in the preliminary round of the UEFA Futsal Champions League. The San Marino champions were beaten 11-2 by hosts Ujpest in Group D, despite a second-half brace from Mattioli.
The match got off to a difficult start for the black-and-whites. It took Ujpest just 17 seconds to break the deadlock: Hadzsi combined with Cardoso and beat Delvecchio from close range. Shortly afterwards, Czerman doubled the lead, while the San Marino goalkeeper made several saves to prevent the gap from widening further.
In the 16th minute, Czerman struck again, this time converting a pass to the far post from Rutai. Murata tried to respond, with Mattioli coming close to scoring after capitalizing on a mishandled play by the Hungarians’ flying goalkeeper. Before the break, however, it was Pál who made it 4-0.
In the second half, Murata tried to increase the pressure, but it was again the hosts who found the net. Rutai scored the fifth goal, before Delvecchio denied several Hungarian attacks. Ujpest nevertheless extended their lead with a free kick from Pál and two quick-fire goals from Moreira Alves, both created by assists from Suscsák.
With the score at 8-0, San Marino’s side responded. Mattioli was the protagonist, scoring twice from distance within a few minutes. He first caught the opposing goalkeeper off guard with a left-footed strike, then found the net again with a powerful, precise shot that hit the crossbar-post junction before going in.
Ujpest, however, continued to find space and sealed the match with further goals. Late in the game, Mukai was shown a straight red card, but the Hungarians’ numerical disadvantage in the final minute did not affect the result.
Murata’s first European match thus ended 11-2. For the black-and-whites, the preliminary round continues today with the second match of the mini-tournament against Kosovo’s Drita, offering a chance for redemption after the opening defeat.
