National futsal team ends year on a high by defeating Russia

Having lost 3-2 to Russia on Monday in Veszprém’s Március 15. Úti Sportcsarnok, Hungary bounced back in Tuesday’s rematch to emerge victorious, Richárd Dávid scoring two fine goals in his 100th appearance for the national team in a 2-1 victory.

Russia began strongly, the host goalkeeper Marcell Alasztics heavily involved in the action, but it was Hungary who took a tenth-minute lead, Dávid firing low into the left-hand corner of the net with the team’s first real chance. Galvanised, Hungary began to take the game to their opponents, József Tatai twice coming close to doubling the lead and then Zoltán Dróth hitting the woodwork on his 125th game for the national team. Russia fought back, testing Alasztics on several occasions, but Turzó’s side held a slender 1-0 at half-time.

The second half ran to a similar script, Russia doing the bulk of the attacking but Alasztics and the Hungary defence keeping them at bay. At the other end, meanwhile, Russia were fortunate that Hungary’s composure deserted them in front of goal. Russian pressure eventually paid off in the 33rd minute, substitute goalkeeper Bálint Sásdi unable to prevent an equalising goal, but there was a sting in the tail of the match when Dávid blasted home from eleven metres following a corner on the right to put Hungary 2-1 ahead. Russia went in all-out attack thereafter but were unable to conjure up a second equalising goal, Hungary finishing the year on a high with victory over illustrious opponents.

“In terms of how we played, I preferred Monday’s match but thanks to our great fighting spirit we’ve achieved success. The Russians exuded energy today; you could see that they wanted to take command of the match from the very start and that’s why we had less time and space and fewer opportunities to attack. I’m happy with my defence but the victory is primarily down to the lads’ fighting spirit. I’m proud of the team and the game was a good way to bounce back after the World Cup qualifiers; we need to continue like this until the European Championship qualifiers in January”, national team head coach József Turzó told mlsz.hu after the match.

Hungary 2-1 Russia
Hungary: Marcell Alasztics - János Rábl, Richárd Dávid, Norbert Horváth, Péter Komáromi Substitutes: Bálint Sásdi, Zoltán Dróth, Imre Nagy, Milán Hajmási, Péter Komáromi, Attila Tóth, József Tatai, Tamás Szentes Bíró, Gergő Siska, Ádám Vas, Patrik Pál, Zsombor Kártik