STEPHEN AZZOPARDI
Luxol St. Andrews ended their historic presence in Group 8 of the UEFA Futsal Cup’s main round, with a positive win of 5-2 against Mostar from Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Mostar broke the deadlock after 13 minutes of play through Marijo Aladžić. A few minutes later Luxol’s Romanian Emil Raducu levelled the matters. Despite having more chances to score, Luxol didn’t manage to change the result before the half time.
Luxol started very well in the second half but Mostar gained again the advantage through Mirko Hrkač’s goal in the 26th minute. Following this goal, Luxol didn’t look back anymore and levelled again the score. On the 29th minute, from a corner taken by Celino Alves, Zvezdan Vukovic didn’t miss the target. Around two minutes later Aladžić was given the red card, for a foul committed on Hrvoje Penava. On the 34th minute Luxol scored twice through Hrvoje Penava and Panu Autio. Luxol continued offensively but unfortunately on the 35th minute, Raducu missed the brace from the penalty spot. Player coach Frane Despotovic’s sealed this well deserved win from the second penalty spot.
This result gave Luxol their first three points in the Main Round and managed to avoid the last place in the group. In fact Mostar came last, with the same amount of points but were surpassed with the goals’ difference.