Futsal Under-21 team retain Visegrad Four title

Both teams had arrived at the tournament as defending champions, albeit with line-ups much-changed from when they won the last edition of the tournament, in Slovakia, in 2016.

Going into the final day’s play, the senior national team was playing for pride only, having lost 6-0 to the Czech Republic on Monday and 5-0 to Slovakia on Tuesday, and a much-improved performance saw Hungary take a 12th-minute lead through Richárd Dávid. Both sides created chances in the second half, Marcell Alasztics making a number of fine saves as part of a Hungarian defence unrecognisable compared to the one which had shipped eleven goals in their first two matches. Victory appeared achievable but with two minutes left to play, Croatian captain Dario Marinović rifled home from close range to level the scores.

The Under-21s, meanwhile, knew that a three-goal winning margin or more would ensure that they held on to their V4 title, group leaders Slovakia having lost 3-1 to the Czech Republic in the early match.

Having to make do without the suspended Kristóf Sáhó, Zsolt Fehér’s team fought for every ball, eventually taking a deserved lead in the ninth minute. With confidence spreading, another two were added in quick succession before a fourth strike had Hungary firmly in the driving seat come half-time. The second half was a similar story, Hungary dominating before Poland scored a late consolation goal, the final score of 6-1 being a fair reflection on the proceedings and ensuring that Hungary topped the table once more.
 

Hungary head coach Sito Rivera

“We failed to convert our chances in the first two matches, whereas at the other end we conceded more than one own goal. In our last match we wanted to achieve a good result against a really strong Croatia team and with the help of a great home support, we succeeded. I’d like to single out Marcell Alasztics, who once again gave a fantastic performance. I’d also like to congratulate the Under-21 team on their tournament victory; many of them proved that that they also have something to offer the senior national team”

Hungary Under-21 head coach Zsolt Fehér

“I’d like to congratulate my team; hats off to them, they performed even better than I had hoped. They understood what it means to fight for victory in the national team jersey; they were up for it right from the start. We were caught napping early on in our first two matches, but this time we were able to keep our opponents under pressure. I tried to rotate in the centre as that is the most labour intensive post, but everyone did their bit and we deservedly retained our title. Aside from my team I’d also like to congratulate the management team for their work, especially team manager Márton Holló, who did everything in his power to ensure we were fully prepared and could concentrate fully on our game during the tournament”.

Visegrad Four Futsal Nations Tournament

Matchday 1

Croatia 1–0 Slovakia Hungary 0–6 Czech Rep

Matchday 2

Czech Rep 1–3 Croatia Slovakia 5–0 Hungary

Matchday 3

Czech Rep 8–2 Slovakia Hungary 1–1 Croatia

Goalscorers: HUN: Richárd Dávid; CRO: Dario Marinović

Final standings

1. Croatia 7 points 2. Czech Rep 6 3. Slovakia 3 4. Hungary 1

Best goalkeeper: Žarko Luketin (Croatia)

Best outfield player: Dario Marinović (Croatia) Top scorer: Tomáš Drahovský (Slovakia) 3 goals

Hungary squad:

Goalkeepers: Marcell Alasztics (ETO FC), Dávid Mezei (Berettyóújfalu)

Outfield players: Richárd Dávid (ETO FC), Bence Klacsák (ETO FC) , Ádám Vas (ETO FC) , István Gál (Berettyóújfalu), János Trencsényi (Berettyóújfalu), Norbert Horváth (DFDSE), Ádám Hosszú (DFDSE) Imre Nagy (Nyírgyulaj), Attila Sánta (Nyírgyulaj), Milán Hajmási (Haladás), József Tatai (Veszprém), Ákos Harnisch (Bőny)

Visegrad Four Futsal Nations Tournament – Under 21 competition

Matchday 1: Poland 1–2 Slovakia; Hungary 2–2 Czech Republic

Matchday 2: Poland 3–3 Czech Republic; Slovakia 3–3 Hungary

Matchday 3: Czech Republic 3–1 Slovakia; Hungary 6–1 Poland

Goalscorers: HUN: Krisztián Nehéz, Benedek Horváth, Domonkos Mányi, Patrik Pál (3); POL: Dawid Kasprzyk

Final standings

1. Hungary 5 points; 2. Czech Rep 5; 3. Slovakia 4; 4. Poland 1

Best goalkeeper: Marek Kusnir (Slovakia) Best outfield player: Domonkos Mányi (Hungary) Top scorer: Patrik Pál (Hungary), 5 goals

Hungary Under-21 squad:

Goalkeepers: Alex Cseresnyés (DFDSE), Marcell Vámosi (Ferencváros), Ádám Faragó (Debrecen)

Outfield players: Bálint Bognár (ETO FC), Ádám Szűcs (ETO FC), Kristóf Sáhó (ETO FC), Benedek Horváth (Ferencváros), Patrik Pál (DFDSE), Olivér Fekete (Aramis), Krisztián Nehéz (Csömör), Tamás Józsa (Csömör), Fülöp Víz (Csömör), Gergő Sipos (Haladás), Áron Gémesi (Dunakeszi), Domonkos Mányi (TF)