Portugal beat Holland in the first match as world champions

On Monday, Portugal defeated the Dutch team 3-0, in Almeri, in the first match after winning the World Cup title.

The match, before the hosts of Euro 2022, for which Portugal is already preparing, is also the first without the presence of Ricardinho, who bid farewell to the national team, and the 100th internationalization of Fabio Felicio.

At the Top Sport Centrum de Almere, the Portuguese reached the first half with a 1-0 win with some upswing in the match.

Portugal were the first team to create the danger through Miguel Angelo, who hit the post in the fourth minute. The Dutch responded three minutes later and forced Edu to tackle it well.

In the 16th minute, Thiago Brito opened the scoring, after which the Netherlands risked five to four. After being rescued by Edu, Polita came close to expanding the lead, but without success.

The world champion came on strong in the second half, with Boletta taking plenty of risks in the opponent’s goal.

Miguel Angelo, in the 22nd minute, with a cross shot, made it 2-0, and Mario Freitas, with the help of Nelson in the 26th minute, hit Manuel Quick’s ball into the net, closing the score 3-0.

For coach Jorge Braz, the match was an “excellent preparatory match after the World Cup” and ended with an “undeniable victory”.

Winger Fabio Sicilia, who made his debut with the national team on September 16, 2014, with a 5-0 victory over Croatia, reached 100 matches in Almira in the main jersey “Kinas”, and entered in the seven minute of the match.

European and World Champion Cecilio became the 15th futsal player to reach this record and the player with the least amount of time between debut and start in 100 international matches (seven years, 1 month and 28 days).

Portugal returns to play with the Netherlands on Tuesday, in Zeist, on the KNVB campus.

At Euro 2022, KENAS will defend the title of European champion, which won in 2018.

The European Championships will be held from January 19 to February 6, 2022 at the Ziggo Dome, in Amsterdam, and at MartiniPlaza, in Groningen.

Jorge Braz’s team is part of Group A along with the Netherlands and Ukraine and the winners of the play-off between Serbia and Belarus, which will be announced on Wednesday.