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Perfect Luxol seal historic futsal qualification

Published: 27-08-2017 06:55
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Luxol St Andrews have made history after becoming the first Maltese futsal team to reach the main round of the UEFA Futsal Cup. And they did it in style as a 4-3 defeat of Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv extended their perfect record to three wins out of three games following emphatic victories over hosts FC Diamant Linz (7-1) and Macedonian champions KMF Shkupi (9-2). Saturday’s game saw Luxol storm into a 3-0 lead inside the opening nine minutes thanks to goals from Croatian defender Kristijan Grbesa, Serbian Zvezdan Vukovic and Mark Zammit. Adam Cohen pulled one for Maccabi who scored again through Ivan Diedunov but Croatian forward Nikola Perkovic put Luxol 4-2 ahead on 28 minutes. Barely a minute later, Cohen reopened the issue for Maccabi Tel Aviv but Luxol held on to secure their victoru and a berth in the first round of the UEFA Futsal Cup. Luxol will play in Group 8 against Araz Naxçivan (AZE), FC Deva (ROU, hosts) and Mostar (BIH). The Maltese champions were meant to be in Group 5 but swapped with Group F winners Leo of Armenia following a decision of the UEFA Emergency Committee as clubs from Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot meet. Futsal Minerva, Liburn, Regensburg, Mostar, Leo, Bielsko-Biała and 't Knooppunt also won their UEFA Futsal Cup preliminary round groups to complete the main round line-up. The main round tournaments will take place between October 10 and 15.