Courtesy: The Japan Daily Press


King Kazu to play for Japan’s Futsal Team at the FIFA Futsal World Cup

by Ida Torres

September 28, 2012

Even at the almost golden age of 45, football living legend Kazuyoshi Miura is still very much active in the sport, playing for J. League 2nd division team Yokohoma FC. And this year, he has the chance to finally achieve one of his dreams, a FIFA World Cup call-up. Although it is not exactly with the Blue Samurai, he has been named part of the provisional squad for the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand in November 2012.

Miura was instrumental in leading Japan through the qualifying rounds and into the 1998 tournament held in France. But a controversial exclusion from the squad for the finals saw his World Cup dream end, since at that time he was 31. The decision created a huge debate in Japan at that time since King Kazu was at the prime of his footballing career.

His inclusion in the national futsal team has already generated huge buzz in a sport that is normally not very popular in Japan. But this week saw media crews covering the squad’s training camp in Nagoya. Miura has had experience playing futsal as a young man when he played football in Brazil. He believes that futsal played a huge part in his development as a footballer. Coach Miguel Rodrigo believes that Miura’s experience and willingness to play futsal, even if he’s already had a hugely successful football career, will be a big boost to the squad as they start their campaign in Thailand on November 1.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com