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FIFA.comThe FIFA Futsal World Cup in numbersTuesday 30 October 20121722 goals have been scored over the FIFA Futsal World Cup’s six editions. Of those, 387 were chalked up during Brazil 2008, making this the highest-scoring edition to date.
43 goals is the tally that makes Manoel Tobias the FIFA Futsal World Cup’s all-time leading scorer. The Brazil legend has also made more appearances at the tournament (31) than any other player. Both records could come under threat at Thailand 2012 from a fellow countryman though, with Falcao just nine short of his predecessor’s goal haul and on course to surpass his appearance benchmark should Brazil reach the last four.
33 goals were scored by Russia and the Solomon Islands in the competition’s highest-scoring game; unfortunately for the Pacific Islanders, 31 of them came from the Russians. Pula alone was responsible for nine, setting a new single-match record for an individual player in the process.
24 teams will take part at in this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup, the highest number in the tournament’s history. There will, however, be four fewer matches than in 2008, when a second group stage ensured that the 20 teams played a total of 56 games.
15 years and two months was the age at which Ricardinho became the youngest player both to appear and score at the FIFA Futsal World Cup. That was at the 2000 edition, and 12 years on the same player will be back on the world stage – this time as one of Portugal’s most experienced players. At the other end of the age spectrum, Japan’s Satoru Noda is the tournament’s oldest-ever player, although his record of 44 years and nine months looks likely to be broken at Thailand 2012 by countryman Kazu Miura, who celebrated his 45th birthday eight months ago.
12 players have participated in both the FIFA Futsal World Cup and the FIFA World Cup™, and three - Algeria’s Lakhdar Belloumi, Denmark’s Brian Laudrup and USA’s Bruce Murray – have scored in each.
6 nations will make their FIFA Futsal World Cup debuts at Thailand 2012: Colombia, Kuwait, Mexico, Morocco, Panama, and Serbia. This sextet will take to 43 the number of teams that have competed in the tournament, with only three ever-presents in the shape of Argentina, Brazil and Spain.
5 of the six adidas Golden Ball recipients at this tournament have been Brazilians, with Falcao and Manoel Tobias winning two apiece after Jorginho took the trophy in 1992. The sole exception to this rule is Thailand’s Dutch coach Victor Hermans, whose performances on home soil with the Netherlands saw him crowned as the 1989 edition’s outstanding player.
4 FIFA Futsal World Cups have been won by Brazil, who emerged triumphant in 1989, 1992, 1996, 2008. A Seleção have also won more matches (41) than any other side, with Spain – champions in the other two editions – their closest challengers on 36. The Spaniards lag well behind on goals scored though, with their tally of 196 a distant second to Brazil’s colossal haul of 322.
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FIFA.comThe football greats forged by futsalTuesday 30 October 2012For decades now, futsal has been a popular and much-loved sporting discipline, especially in South America and southern Europe. And while the indoor version of football is rapidly growing in popularity elsewhere now, thanks to FIFA's patronage and the support of many leading personalities, it is in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Spain and Portugal that futsal has proved a breeding ground for some of the greats of the game.
The list is topped by Lionel Messi. The three-time FIFA World Player of the Year and Barcelona's all-time leading scorer took his first tentative steps with a ball in the colours of Newell's Old Boys, although he played futsal rather than football.
“As a little boy in Argentina, I played futsal on the streets and for my club. It was tremendous fun, and it really helped me become who I am today," said the 25-year-old, reflecting on the benefits of the five-a-side version of the game.
Pele and Co convinced by futsalMessi is by no means the only superstar with futsal roots. Apart from the Argentinian wizard, the likes of Pele, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Ronaldo learned the trade in the sports hall.
Cristiano Ronaldo honed his natural ability by playing futsal. “During my childhood in Portugal, all we played was futsal," he said. "The small playing area helped me improve my close control, and whenever I played futsal I felt free. If it wasn't for futsal, I wouldn't be the player I am today."
World and European champion Xavi revealed his love of futsal to UEFA.com, citing one reason in particular: “In futsal, you see whether a player is really talented. In normal football you don't necessarily identify talent as easily because it's so much more physical. But with futsal, you notice the small details in quality, class and tactical understanding."
The pool of talent produced by futsal is at its biggest in Brazil. Footballing icon Pele played the indoor game himself: “Futsal requires you to think and play fast. It makes everything easier when you later switch to football."
Ronaldinho, Juninho, Robinho and rising star Neymar are other notable futsal products of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ host nation. Arguably the most famous former Seleção icon is Ronaldo, the all-time leading scorer at the FIFA World Cup finals. The striker took up futsal at the age of 12 and has fond memories of the period.
“I needed extremely good feet, because you're always attempting to beat opponents in the minimum of space. I loved the challenge of playing on such a small pitch," recalled the former player, a member of the management board of the Local Organising Committee for the 2014 tournament.
An emerging forceThe indoor discipline’s explosive growth in recent years is well illustrated by statements from two leading pros operating in the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga.
Micah Richards, capped 13 times by England to date, used futsal to work on his ball control. “I improved my technique by playing futsal. It helps you remain more composed on the ball," the Manchester City right-back told BBC Sport.
And according to Germany U-21 national team captain Lewis Holtby, who also has two senior caps to his name, futsal is the best way of learning the game. “Young players in particular can learn a huge amount from futsal," the Schalke midfielder said in a German FA (DFB) interview. "The heavy ball means it’s in play for longer. Passing moves and interchanges more often end with a goalscoring chance."
For the future, it is a cast-iron certainty that the fertile ground provided by futsal will produce a host of the biggest names of tomorrow.
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FIFA.comHolders, hosts get the party startedTuesday 30 October 2012The reigning champions and the tournament hosts will both be in action on what promises to be an action-packed opening day at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012. While Japan lie in wait for Brazil and Costa Rica square up to the Thais, Paraguay face a tough opening encounter against Ukraine, while Libya will be out to spring a surprise against Portugal.
Match of the dayBrazil-Japan, Nakhon Rathasima, 1 November 2012, 21:00 (local time)
Although this was a fixture that produced a 12-1 win for Brazil in the first of match of their triumphant 2008 campaign, much has changed in the intervening four years. Chief among these developments is the rise in stature of Japan, who arrive at Thailand 2012 as Asian champions, having undergone a remarkable transformation under Spanish coach Miguel Rodrigo.
The extent to which the gap between these sides has narrowed was underlined only last week, when they fought out a 3-3 friendly draw. And while Brazil will nevertheless begin this competitive encounter as strong favourites, their coach was hugely impressed by the strides their opponents have made. “Japan were totally different from the team we remember playing in 2008,” acknowledged Marco Sorato. “They have made a lot of progress both tactically and physically.”
Other highlightsPreceding the clash between Brazil and Japan in Nakhon Ratchasima will be the meeting of their Group C rivals. Portugal have been singled out by several observers as potential dark horses, and Jorge Braz’s talented side will be confident of securing maximum points against the section’s outsiders, Libya.
Paraguay are another team with aspirations of challenging for the title, although the South American face a tough opening examination against Ukraine in Group A.
Local fans, meanwhile, will be eagerly awaiting the section’s later match, which pits Thailand against the kings of CONCACAF. Costa Rica surprised many observers by winning the continental title back in July, and they will be out to make life as awkward as possible for a Thai side aiming to at least reach the quarter-finals.
Player to watchHe may be in the veteran stage of his glittering career, but Falcao remains futsal’s poster boy - and is considered by many to be the discipline’s greatest-ever exponent. Crowned as the best player of the last two FIFA Futsal World Cups, the 35-year-old will be aiming to make it three-in-a-row here in Thailand, where he needs just nine more goals to become the tournament’s all-time leading scorer.
The stat45 - Kazuyoshi Miura, better known as ‘King Kazu, will become the oldest player ever to compete at the FIFA Futsal World Cup when he steps out against Brazil - eight months and six days after celebrating his 45th birthday. The Japan legend, scorer of 55 goals for his national football team, will eclipse the record of 44 years and nine months set in 1989 by his fellow countryman, Satoru Noda.
The words“The players have skill and determination. They need support from their compatriots in the stadium. I am sure that we will beat Costa Rica,” Victor Hermans, Thailand coach.
The scheduleUkraine-Paraguay (Bangkok, Indoor Stadium Huamark, 17.00)
Thailand-Costa Rica (Bangkok, Indoor Stadium Huamark, 19.00)
Libya-Portugal (Nakhon Ratchasima, Korat Chatchai Hall, 19.00)
Brazil-Japan (Nakhon Ratchasima, Korat Chatchai Hall, 21.00)
(All kick-off times are local)
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FIFA.comMeet the Ronaldinho of futsalWednesday 31 October 2012There is a certain amount of responsibility that comes with being nicknamed 'The Ronaldinho of futsal,' not that it seems too much of a burden for the man in question, Costa Rica’s long-haired star Diego Zuniga.
The talented 22-year-old forward, who is readying himself for Los Ticos’ opening game at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, against the host nation in Bangkok this Thursday, acquired his moniker after scoring a wonder goal in a warm-up match with Brazil back in May.
The strike, which involved Zuniga dispossessing an opponent on the halfway line before dummying the keeper and hooking his left foot behind his right to roll the ball into an empty net, proved an internet sensation and drew comparisons with the twinkle-toed wizardry of Ronaldinho himself.
“I don’t really see what the fuss is about,” the smiling Zuniga, who names the Brazil star as his favourite player, told FIFA.com. “As far as I’m concerned there’s no one else like him, and though I try to do some of the things he does, I reckon he’s achieved just a little bit more than I have.
“To be honest, I never thought that goal would have such an impact. It was special for me because it came against the world champions, but that was all. All the stuff that’s come after it is a bit over the top if you ask me.”
Zuniga started playing futsal at the age of nine, prompted by his friends, who were amazed by his ball skills and persuaded him to swap grass pitches for the wooden floor of the futsal court.
Taking up the story, he said: “Though I used to do well in trials for 11-a-side football, I always enjoyed playing a faster game in a smaller space. The other game was not for me.”
A student and clothing shop assistant, Zuniga made his international debut four years ago, at the age of 18. Since then he has been a regular in a Tico side that took many observers by surprise in winning the 2012 CONCACAF Futsal Championship, held in Guatemala.
“I wasn’t surprised,” said the No12 emphatically. “Our main objective there was to qualify for the World Cup, but we were focused on winning too. That mindset is one of our biggest assets.”
Zuniga contributed to Costa Rica’s success with a goal in the final against the hosts, and believes that experience will prove handy on Thursday. “Winning that tournament against the hosts will come in useful against Thailand,” he said.
“Quite apart from the motivation we’re going to feel by playing our first game against the hosts in such a big tournament, we also know they could well be under a lot of pressure,” he added.
“We are ready,” said a defiant Zuniga. “In the build-up to the tournament we’ve been focusing on defending and some aspects of our attacking play. At the very least we want to get through the group phase. If we can do that, who knows? And if we don’t, then it will just be because the rest were better than us. We won’t be holding anything back.”
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FIFA.comLibya duo draw on experienceWednesday 31 October 2012Experience is one of the most vital qualities in any team and, when the pressure is on, coaches will always turn to their veteran players to see them through. This is the situation Libya’s coach Pablo Prieto finds himself in as he prepares to lead his charges into the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012.
With most of his players making their debut on the world stage, Prieto has little choice but to rely on the two most experienced members of his squad, Mohamed Rahoma and Rabia Abdel. The duo are the only two players who appeared in the last edition of the tournament four years ago in Brazil, and Prieto will be hoping they can steer Libya through one of the toughest groups out there, featuring title-holders Brazil, the always formidable Portugal and Asian champions Japan.
Rahoma and Abdel are certainly shouldering a lot of responsibility. Not only are the rest of their team-mates FIFA Futsal World Cup debutants, some have only played a handful of matches at international level.
Speaking to FIFA.com about the scale of the task ahead of him, Abdel said: “We take the World Cup very seriously and there’s going to be a lot of fear, especially for the new players. I hope they can get over it because our group is no walk in the park, with three very strong teams. They have to take to the pitch with enormous self-confidence as this will help them overcome any anxiety.”
Rahoma, who shares a room with Abdel in their hotel, seconds his team-mate’s words: “I’ve played with Rabia for more than six years and this will be our second World Cup. We’ll try to offer a little extra to the team and give our team-mates all the help they need."
Friends of the field as well as comrades on it, the two men have an obvious rapport. They have played together for UAE club Al Wasl in the past and Rahoma, 11 months the older of the pair, hopes they can make their bond pay dividends when they face up to Portugal this Thursday in Nakhon Ratchasima.
“We have different roles on the pitch,” the 28-year-old explained: “Rabia plays in attack and I’m a defender, but we can help the team score goals even from the back. Our group is tough with three strong opponents, but I hope we can put on a solid performance against Portugal and Japan, and acquit ourselves well against champions Brazil.”
Rabia Abdel echoed that sentiment, saying: “There are no easy games in the World Cup, they’re all tough. Brazil are a very strong side as everyone knows, so our first game against Portugal is extremely important. A good result will give us momentum to take into our next two games.”
Abdel has played the world champions once before, in 2010, when he scored his country’s only goal in a 2-1 defeat to the South Americans. He is justifiably proud of “netting against Brazil” and hopes, “to score against them again, and against Portugal and Japan, too”.
Scoring is Abdel’s job after all, while Rahoma is responsible for providing solidity at the back. But perhaps their most important duty in Thailand will be providing leadership to their young team-mates as they prepare for the toughest test of all.
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FIFA.comFinal inspection for Bangkok Futsal Arena on 5 NovemberWednesday 31 October 2012The Organising Committee of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 met today, Wednesday 31 October 2012, on the eve of the tournament’s opening match, to review the tournament preparations and in particular the status of the Bangkok Futsal Arena, which is due to host quarter-final and semi-final matches as well as the final itself.
Under the chairmanship of Manilal Fernando, the committee agreed that the use of the Futsal Arena will be permitted for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 subject to a number of provisions being met ahead of a final inspection on 5 November.
These provisions comprise a reduction in the hall’s capacity by closing the fifth floor to the public; completing all FIFA security procedures, which include the submission of a security certificate issued by the relevant public body (Fire/Health & Safety), the submission of an emergency evacuation plan, the provision of an insurance policy to cover all risks, and the finalisation of a CCTV security system.
In addition, the pitch - which is not currently in place - needs to be ready in time for the inspection. There are three options which have been left open to achieve this aim: a transportable pitch being flown in from Italy, Thai customs clearing in time a pitch which has been imported from China, or instead bringing in surface materials from Taiwan/Malaysia.
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FIFA.comBangkok’s Fan Zone opens its doorsWednesday 31 October 2012A day before the start of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, the Fan Zone next to the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok was inaugurated.
At 16:00, the doors of the FIFA Fan Zone were opened, offering futsal followers the chance to enjoy a mini-court, as well as numerous other activities offered by FIFA Partners Sony, Coca-Cola, KIA and adidas. Furthermore, a big screen will show all the tournament’s matches, including the ones played in the neighbouring Nimibutr Stadium, in case the games there are sold-out.
In the Fan Zone, which will only be closed on non-matchdays, aficionados of the indoor game will be able to showcase their own skills and get up close to the FIFA Futsal World Cup mascot. They can also purchase souvenirs of the tournament, which runs from 1-18 November. An additional highlight of the opening day was a mini concert from Slot Machine, the band responsible for the official FIFA Futsal World Cup song, who added to the excited atmosphere among the enthusiastic fans.
FIFA.com witnessed events first hand and put together a gallery of the best images to help get you into the FIFA Futsal World Cup spirit. Take a look for yourself.
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Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
