Andorra's Rangers FC Arrives in Bulgaria for UEFA Futsal Champions League Preliminaries
The full roster enters as underdogs in Burgas, facing tougher teams after three weeks of prep targeting physical Finnish side Mad Max first.
Key Points
- Rangers FC from Andorra led 1-0 at halftime via Roger Nazzaro's 9th-minute goal in Burgas, Bulgaria.
- Clic Chișinău rallied post-break: Botnaru (22'), Crasnov (27', 28'), Vasilevschi (32') for 4-1 win.
- Coach Aitor García praised team's effort despite fatigue and missed chances against semi-pro foes.
- Rangers finished Group H winless after prior losses to Mad Max (0-8) and Amigo Northwest (1-4).
Rangers FC from Sant Julià de Lòria ended its UEFA Futsal Champions League preliminary campaign with a 1-4 loss to Moldova's Clic Chișinău on Saturday in Burgas, Bulgaria.
The Andorran team, coached by Aitor García, delivered its strongest performance of the group stage despite the defeat. Roger Nazzaro gave Rangers the lead in the ninth minute, putting them 1-0 up at halftime. The side created further chances to extend the advantage but lacked the finishing touch.
Clic Chișinău, the Moldovan champions, mounted a decisive comeback after the break. Botnaru equalised in the 22nd minute, followed by Crasnov's goals in the 27th and 28th minutes to make it 3-1. Vasilevschi sealed the victory with a fourth in the 32nd minute. Rangers still generated clear opportunities, including before adopting a five-man lineup with a flying goalkeeper.
García noted the scoreline did not fully capture the match. "We went into halftime 1-0 up when we could have led comfortably 3-0. The ball just wouldn't go in," he said. Fatigue affected the second half, he added, as the opponents pulled ahead to 3-1 and Rangers missed further openings.
The coach expressed pride in his players' efforts against a semi-professional side with professional talent. "I'm very proud of the work my players have done. We've given everything to represent our club and country with pride in Europe," García said.
The result left the reigning Lliga Viatges Pantours champions winless in Group H, following prior defeats of 8-0 to Finland's Mad Max and 4-1 to hosts Amigo Northwest. Only the group winner progressed.
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