KO quarters begin in FIFA Futsal Women’s World Cup

Argentina’s Ana Ontiveros

(FIFA via Facebook)

Matches on Monday

(PhilSports Arena)

6 p.m. – Argentina vs Colombia

8:30 p.m. – Spain vs Morocco

MANILA, Philippines — Qualifiers from Groups A and B take a shot at the first two semifinal seats as knockout action in the FIFA Futsal World Cup fires off Monday at the PhilSports Arena.

World No. 6 Argentina, which stamped its class on its three group opponents, including host Philippines (5-1), en route to top spot in Group A, faces off with Colombia in a high stakes quarterfinal encounter at 6 p.m.

The eighth-ranked Colombians advanced as Group B runner-up with six points on two wins against one loss in the initial skirmishes.

Likewise setting off their quest for the Last-4 of the 16-nation meet backed by the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Football Federation are world No. 2 Spain and No. 31 Morocco, which engage in the main fare at 8 p.m.

Spain, the reigning Euro futsal queens, swept their three fixtures for No. 1 in Group B and looms as a heavy favorite against Morocco, Africa’s titlists that greased their march as Group A No. 2 with hard-earned victories over the Filipina5, 3-2, and Poland, 1-0.

Winner of the one-game quarterfinal will move on to the Final Four on Friday.

Meanwhile, the four other quarterfinalists led by world No. 1 Brazil hit the blue court Tuesday.

The multi-titled Brazilians, unbeaten in ruling Group D, meets Asian ruler Japan, the second-seeded squad from Group C, on Tuesday, the same day Group C topnotcher Portugal disputes a semis ticket with Italy, Group D's second-placed quarterfinalist. (Pool story)