By Melody Gross 
Portugal's futsal team beat Uzbekistan 4-1 on Friday in their first World Cup warm-up match, held at the Rio Maior Multisport Stadium.
The team led by Jorge Braz took the lead through an own goal scored by Fazlidin Butirov after just two minutes, then the visitors equalized through Abror Akhmedzianov in the 17th minute, before Thiago Brito blew the whistle to end the first half for the Portuguese team. Advantage. .
With the victory practically confirmed, the difference increased only in the last minutes, with two goals scored by Bruno Coelho, in the 39th and 40th minutes, both from direct free kicks without a barrier.
Andre Coelho came close to scoring in the first minute, which would happen shortly afterwards, as a result of an own goal by Fazlidin Butirov, after a one-on-one play from Thiago Brito.
Uzbekistan equalised in the final moments of the first half, with Abror Akhmedzianov shooting towards an empty goal, with Edu Souza leaving the box to intercept the ball, but Thiago Brito, at the end of the first half, replaced the team for the advanced corners after good work from Bani Varela on the left side of the attack.
With the Portuguese coach testing different strategies, and promoting the principle of rotation between players, using up to three goalkeepers, the third Portuguese goal took some time to arrive, with many opportunities wasted.
Portugal needed the dying minutes to score again, with Bruno Coelho making no mistake from an unguarded free-kick to punish Uzbekistan with their sixth foul. The next minute, the winger took advantage of another unopposed free-kick and converted it successfully.
The 2021 world champions, in Lithuania, Portugal – who play the second friendly on Saturday, at 7.30 pm, against Angola, again in Rio Maior – will defend their title at the 2024 World Cup, which will be held in Uzbekistan, between September 14 and October 6.
The match will be played at the Rio Mayor Multisport Pavilion.
Portugal – Uzbekistan 4-1.
In the first half: 2-1.
Tags:
1-0, Fazlidin Butirov, 2 minutes (own goal).
1-1 Abror Akhmedzianov, 17.
2-1, Thiago Brito, 20.
3-1 Bruno Coelho (39).
4-1, Bruno Coelho, 40.
the difference:
– Portugal: Edu Souza, Andre Coelho, Afonso Jesus, Fabio Cecilio, and Thiago Brito.
They are still playing: Bernardo Paco, Andre Correa, Thomas Paco, Zeke, Lucio Rocha, Eric Mendonça, João Matos, Bruno Coelho, Bani Varela, Pauleta and Cocci.
trainer: Jorge Braz.
– Uzbekistan: Abulmuradov, Akhtiyor Rubiev, Ilkhom Khamrov, Nishonov, and Fazlidin Butirov.
They are still playing: Muzaffar Akhadjonov, Senat, Juraev, Rakhmatov, Tolkienov, Akbar Osmonov, Abror Akhmedzianov, Khudoyberdiev, Samardin Berkinov.
trainer:Venancio Lopez.
The Rulers: Cristiano Santos (Porto) and Miguel Castillo (AF Lisbon).
Disciplinary proceduresYellow card for Ikhtyor Rubev (27) and Neshonov (39).
help:477 spectators.