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FIFA.comThailand ready for flair, flicks and tricksSunday 28 October 2012Brazil’s dominance at FIFA Futsal World Cups is staggering. Since winning the inaugural tournament in 1989, the South Americans have taken a further three titles. Spain are the only team to have broken A Seleção’s grip on the trophy, triumphing in 2000 and 2004.
What's more, four years ago the two heavyweights met in the final in Rio de Janeiro, where the hosts wrestled the silverware back following a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory. So, at the upcoming seventh edition of the showpiece, set to take place in Thailand from 1 to 18 November, it is hardly surprising the only two nations ever to win the tournament are once again favourites for the crown.
However, is the fact that Brazil only stumbled to a third-place finish in South American qualification behind Argentina and Paraguay a warning sign for A Seleção? They would say no, with confidence still remaining high in the defending champions’ camp.
"Given the high expectations in Brazil, of course there was huge disappointment with our performance," Brazil coach Marcos Sorato told FIFA.com. “But Brazil is one of the best countries at developing players, if not the best.”
Meanwhile, Spain have not lost a match in open play in over seven years. And after winning two FIFA Futsal World Cups and five European titles in the last 12 years, the Iberians have their sights firmly set on the reclaiming the biggest prize in the discipline.
“On past performances, Brazil and Spain are certainly the favourites," veteran Kike told FIFA.com, while keeping a wary eye on the rest of the pack. "But there are other teams who’ll be difficult to beat. Russia definitely have one of the strongest sides, but Italy, Portugal, Argentina and Japan will be up there too.”
Brazilian icon Falcao also believes there will be little to choose between the participating teams. “Brazil and Spain are definitely at the top of the pile, they should both make it to the semi-finals at least," he also told FIFA.com. "Russia are dark horses, they’re a side who have what it takes to become champions. But Iran, Portugal and Paraguay could also cause a few upsets too.”
Closing the gapRecent events have shown that Brazil and Spain can take nothing for granted. Argentina and Paraguay will be especially keen to build on their displays during CONMEBOL qualifying, while European teams have taken huge strides forward of late. Russia, Italy and Portugal, to name but three, will no doubt be looking to justify the aforementioned high praise from Kike and Falcao.
Having won the AFC Futsal Championship ten times, Iran are without doubt Asia’s powerhouse, but newly-crowned AFC champions Japan will also fancy their chances on the world stage. Their self-belief will have been further boosted by a noteworthy 3-3 draw against Brazil last week.
Africa’s hopes of glory rest largely on Egypt’s shoulders. Having participated at every tournament since 1996, they are the continent’s leading lights. Of the remaining participants, Libya, newcomers Morocco, as well as Australia and Kuwait do not have such lofty expectations and will have set surviving the group stage as their primary aim.
Fresh facesThe CONCACAF zone will be represented by a highly-promising quartet. Continental champions Costa Rica return to the FIFA Futsal World Cup after a 12-year absence, while Guatemala make their third appearance. Mexico and Panama find themselves in unfamiliar territory though, after breaking new ground in reaching the finals for the first time.
Ukraine (fourth at Spain 1996) and Czech Republic (third at the UEFA Futsal EURO 2010) have already demonstrated their quality, but debutants Serbia and Colombia have still to prove they have what it takes to compete at the highest level.
Oceania champions Solomon Islands have improved greatly since their disappointing showing at Brazil 2008 and were even mentioned in glowing terms by Spain coach Venancio Lopez recently. Hosts Thailand complete the tournament line-up and have set a quarter-final place as their minimum target, after finishing as runners-up at the AFC Futsal Championships in May.
The stage is set for the 24 nations to pursue their dreams of FIFA Futsal World Cup glory. While plenty of twists and turns are sure to come, one thing is already certain: Futsal fans can look forward to a spectacular tournament full of flair, flicks and extraordinary tricks.
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FIFA.comExcitement grows at Thai venuesMonday 29 October 2012With the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 set to get underway in Thailand on Thursday 1 November, excitement is building at the venues in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima.
As soon as you land at Suvarnabhumi Airport in the country's capital, it is evident that something big is about to happen. Banners and flags abound, letting everyone know that a new FIFA tournament is just around the corner. And once you get into the city itself, the sense of anticipation is palpable.
Excitement growing by the day"People here are really looking forward to the tournament," Bangkok native Songporn Jittarapatamapong told FIFA.com. "It's a big event that we're all working on to organise here and it's really exciting. My boyfriend is going to some of the matches but unfortunately I don't yet know whether I will be able to make it, since I have to work."
The many volunteers who will be working in varying capacities on this global event are also getting into the spirit. "The preparations are all coming to a head," Stefania Vieira De Lacerda, who has come all the way from Brazil to work at the Indoor Stadium Huamark, told FIFA.com. "We've already had various meetings about the start of the tournament, and it's great. People call Thailand 'the Land of Smiles' and it certainly is - it's a lovely country. We're all looking forward to 1 November and we're all ready for the World Cup."
Fan Zone to open on WednesdayA day before the opening match, the Fan Zone outside Nimibutr Stadium will be unveiled with a free concert by the band Slot Machine, who wrote the official FIFA Futsal World Cup song.
Every day from 4 pm (except on days when there are no matches), futsal fans will have the chance to play on a mini-pitch and take part in a whole host of other activities. Younger visitors in particular will be looking forward to meeting the FIFA World Cup mascot - a ball-playing elephant.
FIFA Partners including Sony, Coca-Cola, KIA and adidas will also be making sure that the Fan Zone has plenty to offer with gifts and special offers available every day and entertainment through to 10 pm. Every game from the FIFA Futsal World Cup will also be broadcast there live, including the ones from Nimibutr Stadium provided that these are sold out.
If you too want to be part of the FIFA Futsal World Cup and sample the experience live, then we have some good news for you. Tickets for the matches in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima are still available, and you can find all the information you need via the link on the right-hand side of this page.
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FIFA.comWho will claim the futsal crown?Monday 29 October 2012The seventh edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup will get underway in Thailand this Thursday, with 24 teams vying for the sport's most coveted prize.
In previous tournaments honours have been shared by the game’s two powerhouses, Brazil and Spain, but this year a number of sides can consider themselves genuine contenders in what is expected to be the most fiercely contested FIFA Futsal World Cup to date.
The rise in the game’s popularity sees six new teams taking part this year, with Kuwait, Morocco, Panama, Mexico, Colombia and Serbia joining established sides like Russia, Italy, Portugal, Argentina and Japan in the quest to outpace the two frontrunners.
FIFA.com wants to know your opinion: Which team will win the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012?
Simply click on 'Add your comment' and have your say, remembering to keep your post on-topic and in English.
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FIFA.comThe volunteer who travelled 10,000 milesMonday 29 October 2012Thailand is one of the world’s premier tourist destinations, with millions making their way to the country’s charming beauty spots every year. But for Brazilian Sthefania Vieira de Lacerda, the fact that the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 is being held in Thailand was all the motivation she needed to travel more than 10,000 miles to volunteer at the tournament in which 24 teams will compete for world futsal supremacy.
Sthefania is no stranger to FIFA tournaments. She first worked as a volunteer at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 and two years later travelled to South Africa to do the same at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. But these are just the highlights. Speaking to FIFA.com the 24-year-old Brazilian revealed that she has given her time to a large array of sporting events around the globe.
Although Thailand is far from her homeland, Sthefania was not deterred from jetting off to Bangkok. As she put it, she just had to be “part of this event, after participating in the same tournament four years in Brazil. It's just wonderful to come here.”
Sport is a subject close to Sthefania’s heart. As a student of sports marketing, management and law she considers her volunteer work as a way of gaining useful experience in the field before she graduates: “I study this subject and my course is part of a joint project between FIFA/CIES and my university. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me to experience what it means to take part in these events and meet people working in the field.”
“I think I’ve really benefitted,” the sports-mad student continued. “I volunteered for Brazil 2008 and South Africa 2010, and I was in Poland for EURO 2012 and that will all stand me in good stead in Thailand.”
Sthefania cherishes memories of her time at South Africa 2010, where she was fortunate enough to attend the final: “There are no words to describe how I feel about South Africa 2010. It was just incredible to be at the biggest footballing spectacle in the world and the tournament was amazing. I worked inside the stadiums as a greeter and I got the chance to be at the final. It was truly an unforgettable tournament.”
She is quick to thank her parents, who are paying the transport and accommodation costs of her trip to Thailand: “I asked for my family’s assistance to get here and they covered my travel and accommodation expenses. My family have helped me a lot.”
As she waits for the tournament to get underway on Thursday, Sthefania is vocal about her hope that Brazil’s futsal team can add a fifth FIFA World Cup trophy to their collection: “I’ve got wonderful memories of the last tournament. It was great, but the best bit was when Brazil won the title. I’ll be supporting them in Thailand and I hope they can go all the way again.”
Whether or not Brazil manage to do that, one thing is for certain: Sthefania Vieira de Lacerda is going to make the most of her time in Thailand.
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FIFA.comA quick guide to the rules of futsalMonday 29 October 2012With the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 just around the corner, FIFA.com highlights the rules that distinguish it from the 11-a-side game.
20-minute periodsFutsal matches comprise two periods each lasting 20 minutes of actual playing time. The clock is stopped every time the ball goes out of play and is restarted when play resumes.
Time outsTeams are entitled to a one-minute time-out in each period. A team that does not request a time-out in the first half of the match is only entitled to one time-out during the second half. There are no time-outs in extra time.
Unlimited substitutionsA match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than five players (a goalkeeper and four outfield players) and nine substitutes. There is no restriction on the number of substitutions that may be made during a match. Substitutions may be made at any time, whether the ball is in play or not, but only in the specially demarcated substitution zones.
Replacement of sent-off playersA substitute player may replace a sent-off player and enter the pitch two full minutes after the sending-off. They may, however, enter the pitch before the two minutes have elapsed should their team concede a goal while a player down.
The goalkeepersGoalkeepers have only four seconds in which to play the ball, with either their hands or feet, and may not touch it again if it has been deliberately played to them by a team-mate without an opponent playing or touching it. Goalkeepers are also now free to play anywhere on the pitch and throw the ball beyond the halfway line, which was not previously permitted.
Accumulated fouls and the second penalty markAccumulated fouls are those penalised with a direct free-kick or penalty kick, regardless of whether advantage has been played or not. If a team commits a sixth accumulated foul, the opposing side may take the subsequent free-kick awarded to them without a wall, either from the second penalty mark, which is positioned four metres behind the first, or from a position even closer to the penalty area if the foul was committed between the goal line and the second penalty mark.
Two more thingsUnlike 11-a-side football, goals may not be scored directly from the kick-off in futsal and there is no offside.
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FIFA.comFollow Thailand 2012 live on FIFA.comMonday 29 October 2012The FIFA Futsal World Cup is almost upon us, and you can follow every trick and spectacular goal from this speedy, thrill-a-minute tournament right here on FIFA.com.
The first games kick off on Thursday and, right from the start, we’ll be bringing you LIVE video streaming as 24 nations vie for the title of football’s indoor kings. Users in the territories listed below will not only be able to watch matches unfold, but pause the action and catch up on key moments should they miss the start of a match. And fans right across the world can admire the skill and flair on show by viewing match highlights, which will be available soon after the final whistle.
This video coverage will accompany the usual diet of exclusive news, interviews, features and photographs, all of which will help bring you closer to the action. And don’t forget that you can find out more about the participating nations, and Thailand itself, by checking out our profiles of the host nation, the cities staging futsal’s showpiece matches, and the 24 teams doing battle for the title.
FIFA.com TV is available in the following countries
Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, FYR Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom.
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Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
