Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich compete in what could be classed as a Champions League Final dress rehearsal on Saturday evening at Signal Iduna Park, but in some ways it won’t be.

Saturday 4 May 2013

Dortmund secured just their second Champions League Final berth with a 4-3 aggregate win over Real Madrid, despite losing the second leg 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday evening. While on the other hand, Bayern comfortably defeated Barcelona 3-0 at the Camp Nou on Thursday night, emphatically beating the Blaugrana 7-0 on aggregate, ensuring Die Roten made Europe’s finale for the third time in four seasons.

Both coaches, Jurgen Klopp of Dortmund and Jupp Heynckes of Bayern, have admitted their players would be given time to celebrate, and the two sides have rested most starting eleven players after Champions League ventures. With that and since Bayern Munich have already won the Bundesliga title, many changes are expected for Saturday’s clash.

BVB are likely to rest the Bundesliga’s leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski, Iklay Gundogan, Marco Reus, Lukasz Piszczek and goalie Roman Weidenfeller, along with others. Youngsters Jonas Hofmann, Leonardo Bittencourt, with Nuri Sahin and Australian ‘keeper Mitch Langerak could all start. One player definitely out is Mario Goetze, who happens to be joining Bayern at the conclusion of the season. The so-called “German Messi” picked up a hamstring strain in Madrid.

For the Bavarians, skipper Philip Lahm, Arjen Robben, Manuel Neuer, Javi Martinez and Bastian Schweinsteiger are just a few who will most likely sit out.

With all these changes likely to be made, the encounter may not be a dress rehearsal for Europe’s showpiece final after all.

With confidence on a high after defeating two of the biggest clubs in the world, both sides will look to finish the domestic season off on a high before the Champions League Final at Wembley on May 25, and a win for either side against their fierce rivals will boost confidence and morale heading into the final.

The head-to-head record is an interesting fact between these two. Dortmund had the better their Bavarian rivals between October 2010 to August 2012 winning five straight, including the 2012 DFB Cup Final 5-2. But Bayern has set the record straight and have been undefeated in the past three encounters. However, in front of 80,000 boisterous Dortmund fans at Signal Iduna Park, the Reds haven’t won since September 2009.

Sportsmanship is a strong focal point of the world game, however there are still those who for their own reasons, choose not to honour it.

When we talk about extraordinary moments in football, it does not get any more extraordinary than this!

Collapsed and helpless on the ground, watch as this hungry Cesar Vallejo striker Perio Alva takes advantage of Club Union Comercio's goalkeeper Juan Flores, who just collapsed due to heat exhaustion.

When asked about the unbelievable goal at the completion of the fixture, Alva incredibly responded by saying: "Football is for the living," confirming his content with the strike.

If that were to happen in favour of your team, would you want to see the goal stand? Alternatively, should that have happened against your team, how would you be feeling? Irrespective of your answer, it is a fairly entertaining 30 second watch, so enjoy!

And be sure to stay tuned to SoccerAnchor, as in the coming fortnight we launch our new daily SoccerAnchorTV installment, whereby we bring you all of the day's news in a matter of minutes.

Brazil has retained the Futsal World Cup with a 3-2 extra time win against Spain.

After finishing regulation time 2-2, Brazil through Neto put away the winning goal with 19 seconds left to win their fifth World Cup.

Goals from Neto and Falcao in regulation time were matched with goals from Aicardo and Torras as both sides experienced periods of domination in another epic battle between the world’s two best sides.

In a timid start to the game, chances would come few and far between in the opening stages with both sides warming to the game.

Spain found their way past the stubborn Brazilian defence in the 5th minute when an Aicardo run down the wing was cut back to Lozano who struck for goal. Deflecting off a stray foot, Fernandao had the task of putting away the loose ball however Vinicius was there to clear off the line.

Tension on both sides was beginning to rise as a terrible challenge from Je saw the interchange of Spain’s top scorer Lozano, clutching his ankle. Running a fine line after the challenge, Je continued to hassle the Spanish side, taking down Aicardo moments later but it was the Spanish who missed a guilt-edged opportunity.

It became an end-to-end affair as Spain gained the upper hand with the most sights on goal and Fernandao troubling the Brazilians with his size and strength.

Brazil sent their first warning shot to their opponents two minutes from half-time as Vinicius, shepherding the Spanish defence, opened the path for Je and Rafael to combine a fire over the bar, albeit from a large deflection.

Spain almost snatched the lead before the break when a set piece saw Miguelin strike the ball towards Fernandao’s feet. The Brazilian-born Spaniard looked to direct the ball to the back post with a deftly flick however his effort was just wide, sending the Spanish into half-time with a great level of confidence.

The introduction of Falcao after the break sparked the South Americans into action as Brazil saw a string of chances fall to Ari and the legend himself in the opening stages.

Brazil continued to press and finally received their breakthrough in the 25th minute as Neto’s long range strike from the corner fizzed past Juanjo and into the bottom corner, scoring his fifth of the tournament.

As expected, Spain’s search for an equaliser saw the European Champions pepper Thiago’s goal with Fernandao being the man again to pester the final line.

After a down field free kick was given against Ari on Fernandao, a combination between Kike and Miguelin saw a shot saved by Thiago and the follow up put away by Torras from the acute angle in the 30th minute.

As quickly as the Spaniards restored parity, it was only a minute later that they had taken the lead after a corner was played to Aicardo who had his slightly deflected shot sneak into Thiago’s near post, forcing the Brazilians to suddenly chase the game.

A foul from Thaigo on the edge of the “D” saw Spain’s opportunity to put the game beyond doubt vanish as Torras’ strike rocketed off the crossbar, forcing the Brazilians to use the 5th man in the search for the equaliser.

The tactical change had an immediate effect as Falcao, just like his quarter-final performance against Argentina, put Brazil back on equal terms with a brilliant strike that found the top corner.

Extra time was needed to decide the outcome and both teams began the first period much like the opening of regulation time.

Falcao almost weaved his magic once again as a direct throw from Thiago found the number 12’s chest but the futsaling legend was unable to get a foot to the ball as it gratefully fell into the hands of Juanjo.

Miguelin looked to test Thiago from distance with 30 seconds left in the opening period and the Brazil number one was up to the task, parrying away to safety.

The second half saw both sides get more desperate as an innocuous challenge from Fernandao in his attacking half saw Brazil head to the penalty spot for the sixth foul which saw Gabriel step up and miss.

With 19 seconds left on the clock, a stirring run down the wing by Neto saw him strike towards the back post, thundering off the upright, into the back of the net and handing the Brazilians their fifth futsal World Cup.

It's the final the futsal world was waiting to see, number one against number two, reigning world champions against the runners up and the true clash of the titans between Brazil and Spain.

This will be the fourth time the two foes will face each other in the World Cup final which is astonishing considering there have only been seven FIFA Futsal World Cups. The draw was set up to see both sides meet in the penultimate event and - with some competition respectively - the best two futsaling nations in the world negotiated their path to Match 52 to compete for the ultimate prize.

Brazil will come into the game as favourites with dazzling performances and a wealth of experience on the court. Stalwarts Vinicius, Simi, Wilde and of course, Falcao off the bench will leave the Brazilians in good stead coming into the final. Their potent movement and flair have gone a long way to retaining the World Cup in Thailand however they will face their toughest test on Sunday night.

The Spaniards have had a slow start to the tournament however momentum has built as the competition has gone on. Spain have excelled in the knockout stages and will head into the final with not only their brilliant form in the past couple of games, but the fire in the belly to redeem their heartbreak in 2008. Nippy winger Sergio Lozano and pivot Fernandao will have a large role in brining down the Brazilian beast, playing against their Barcelona teammates and understanding their strengths and weaknesses.

Spain and Brazil had qualified for the final with wins against Italy and Colombia respectively but it was the quarter-final stage that gave both teams their greatest scare. Going down by two within 18 minutes, Brazil pulled out the comeback of the competition thanks to the 2004 and 2008 best player of the tournament Falcao. A goal to equalise in the 35th minute and a winner five minutes into extra time saved Brazilian blushes as their fierce rivals Argentina bowed out of the competition thinking what could have been.

Spain almost met their match when they played their European rivals Russia. The foes, playing in the European Championship final earlier this year, fought a titanic battle which saw the Spaniards concede within two minuets to then steady the ship and come out 3-2 victors.

The final will be a great exhibition for the game which will see, without any doubt, the two best teams go toe to toe. Spain's run home in the tournament has brought them close to parity with the Brazilians however the experience and tactical nous of the current world champions could see them lift the trophy once again.