Brazil conquers fourth title of Indoor Soccer

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Brazil won on Sunday the final of FIFA's sixth World Indoor Soccer in Brazil 2008 after defeating Spain 4-3 in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation and added time.

It was Brazil's fourth indoor soccer world title. The encounter took place at the Maracanazinho Gym in Rio de Janeiro.

Two brilliant defensive stops by the goalkeeper Franklin brought the title back to Brazil, which had lost in Guatemala in 2000 to the same team, Spain. On that occasion, the Spanish team interrupted Brazil’s run of titles in 1989, 1992 and 1996.

The final of the sixth World Indoor Soccer in Brazil 2008 was balanced and tense. The hosts, animated by the rematch and with the support of their fans, raised the pressure in the first half. The first goal was scored by Brazilian Marquinhos on a corner kick at minute 25. When the fans were still celebrating, Falcao, who was playing despite a knee injury, was hit and had to withdraw and watch the match from the footstool with a bag of ice on his knee.

Three minutes later, Torras took advantage of a fault made by Brazilian defender Gabriel to draw even.  The match remained tied until minute 36, when a sharp shot by Vinicius gave Brazil the lead again. However, Spain persisted and with only one minute left, Alvaro drew a key goal and saved the Spanish team.

Whether it was the tiredness or excess in caution, neither teams could alter the results, forcing the title to be defined in a penalty shootout. For that, Brazil replaced its goalkeeper Tiago by Franklin, who became the hero of the day after stops on Spain’s Torras and Marcelo.