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Uzbekistan Beats Russia 1 - 0 for Third Straight World Cup
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Kaliningrad, Russia - Both teams belonged in the final. Russia won all five of its preliminary matches with a goal differential of 16 - 1. Then beat Turkey 3 - 0 in the semi-final for the right to play for the World Cup Gold Medal.
Uzbekistan won all five of its preliminaries with a goal differential of 28-4, then defeated well respected Argentina 4 - 0 to enter the final match. Both teams were well trained, well coached, well matched. Both were well motivated - the Russians on home soil, Uzbekistan defending its World Cup Crown. Some of the Uzbekistan team members were taller and heavier than their Russian counterparts, often using their size to move Russian forwards off the ball. But the Russians were tenacious in their efforts to control the ball and the flow of the match. Both keepers made some spectacular, acrobatic saves to keep their teams at even. Then late in the first period the Usbekistani offense mounted a mass attack on the Russian goal. A sharp kick hit the post on the Russian keeper's right side and bounced back into the goal box. The Russian keeper, Egor Putikina, tried desperately to swat the ball off the pitch, but inadvertently knocked the ball into his own net. 1 - 0 to Uzbekistan. It was the only score of the match. Second Period In the second half Russia again pressed its attack, but Uzbekistan met the challenge with its Iron Defense. A seemingly impenetrable defense - cutting off Russian passes and for the most part keeping the Russians off its half of the pitch. As the clock wound down, it also became apparent that Lady Luck turned her face from the Russian team. Russian passes were missing - by inches. Interceptions were being missed - by inches. And the ball went out of bounds inches before a Russian player could claim it. The few times the Russians managed a shot on goal, the Uzbekistani keeper was brilliant in keeping the ball out of his net. At the final whistle Uzbekistan won its third straight World Cup championship, the earlier victories coming in Crespo, Argentina, 2010; and in Antalya, Turkey, 2007. Prize Money This year, for the first time, the national associations of the winning teams received prize money. The Russian Football Federation, the City of Kaliningrad, and the regional government provided enough money to provide USD $5,000 tot he Bronze medal Winner; $15,000 to the Silver medalist; and $25,000 to the Gold medal winning national Associations. Nikolai Tolstykh, President of the Russian Football federation, congratulated the Russian Disability Football Federation and the World Amputee football federation on the successful completion of the championship. "This event became undoubtedly become a bright spot of not only the participants," he said, "but also in the life of everyone who was present at the stadium. I thank the participants for their skill, the highest courage and bright moments that they gave us on the football field." |
 The Uzbekistani team celebrates the skills of its goalkeeper in keeping the Russian team off the board in the Gold Medal match of Wold Cup 2012. Photo courtesy of and © Grzegorz Press.
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 Russia, in red, and Uzbekistan battle for the ball. Photo courtesy of and © Grzegorz Press. |
 The sweet taste of Victory. Uzbekistan celebrates its 3rd straight Amputee Football World Cup. Photo courtesy of and © Grzegorz Press. |
 More than 6,000 Kaliningrad fans braved the cold to cheer on their team. Photo courtesy of and © Grzegorz Press. |
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