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FIFA.comHenmi looks to Japan's veteransTuesday 6 November 2012The Japan team in Thailand is the oldest side ever to participate in a FIFA Futsal World Cup, with an average age of 32 years and three months. Little wonder, then, that it also contains the oldest players ever to compete at the tournament in the shape of Kazu Miura and Tetsuya Murakami, both of whom are 45.
The presence of such wise old heads has been a blessing for the team’s youngest player, Katsutoshi Henmi, who at just 20 is a full quarter century younger. Speaking to FIFA.com, Henmi discussed how much he is looking forward to learning from his veteran team-mates.
The player of the tournament at the AFC Futsal Championship 2012, midfielder Henmi is full of praise for the pair: “They’ve seen so much in the course of their wonderful careers and they’ve taken part in so many tournaments. They’ve got so much experience and they’re always trying to pass it on to the younger players.”
“It’s an honour to be taking part in the Futsal World Cup,” he added. “Every player in the world dreams of participating in a tournament like this. It’s especially important given how young I am, which is great for me because the whole world is watching. It’s a real honour.”
Henmi was born in Japan in 1992. Two years later his parents emigrated to Brazil where he lived for 14 years, picking up the basics of futsal before returning to the land of his birth in 2008 to start his professional career. He currently plays for Nagoya Oceans with whom he won last year’s AFC Futsal Club Championship.
Japan’s opening game in Thailand against Brazil was an emotional occasion for Henmi, who also goes by the Brazilian name Rafael: “I was nervous before the first match, especially because it was against Brazil. I grew up there and it was very moving on a personal level, because I was facing players I consider to be my idols.”
Japan may have come out second best in the end, but Henmi and his team-mates recovered to put on a stirring performance against Portugal, with Henmi himself knocking in the equaliser. The diminutive playmaker is proud of the fight his side showed: “It was an incredible match for us and I’m personally delighted to have scored against Portugal. Scoring is something that matters to me, but it’s the team’s result that matters most.”
Japan’s next task is to secure victory over Libya in their final group C game in order to qualify for the second round for the first time in their history. It is a vital game and Henmi is taking it with the seriousness it deserves: “We're aiming to qualify for the next phase and all our work so far will only be worth it if we can do so. We have a tricky game, but the chance is there for the taking, and we’ll be doing everything to go through. Libya are an excellent side and they’ve got a few seriously talented players of their own.”
With a record like his, Henmi will unquestionably be giving his all throughout Japan’s Thailand 2012 campaign. At stake is a place in the history books as well as a chance for the youngster to gain more valuable experience.
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FIFA.comSornwichian: We want to make historyTuesday 6 November 2012In Thailand‘s first two games at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 - a 3-1 win over Costa Rica and a 5-3 defeat to Ukraine - the tournament hosts have given the home support plenty to cheer about. Their matches in Bangkok’s Huamark Indoor Stadium have drawn huge crowds and consequently created a breathtaking atmosphere to play in.
“Our fans are incredible, they’re always behind us,” Thailand’s Jirawat Sornwichian told FIFA.com. “Even when we make a lot of mistakes, like we did against Ukraine, they push us forward and give us the strength to get back into the game.”
The 24-year-old is one of the team’s stars and is well aware the whole country is willing them to succeed. Sornwichian has scored in both games so far and is already a fans' favourite thanks to his eye-catching performances.
“I have no fear,” the diminutive attacker said. "I want to stamp my style of play on every match and have an important role. I fight from the first until the last second along with all my team-mates."
Sornwichian’s talent was especially clear to see in the second half against Ukraine, who finished fourth at Spain 1996. He was the driving force behind the hosts, urging them forward with an impressive array of skills and was ultimately rewarded with a goal.
“We were the outsiders going in to the game, but we believed we had a chance," said Thailand's No5. "Unfortunately we made too many mistakes in the first half. After the break we were able to control the match better, but by then it was too late to turn things around."
On Wednesday, Victor Hermans’ charges go up against a Paraguay side that finished as runners-up at the South American qualifying tournament. Defeat must be avoided in order to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive. “The pressure’s on Paraguay, not on us,” said Sornwichian. "We need to be more focused in defence, not attack too much and determine the game’s rhythm."
That will be easier said than done, especially given the fact that Thailand will be deprived of a key player in Kritsada Wongkaeo, who is suspended after receiving a second yellow card. Furthermore, Suphawut Thueanklang’s participation is in doubt due to injury. “We don’t want to play just for our two friends, who are like family to us, but rather for everyone in Thailand,” Sornwichian concluded. "Every Thai would be delighted if we made it to the next round. We want to make history."
With the enthusiastic support of the fans inside the stadium, as well as the whole nation spurring them on, there may be no better time to do just that than against Paraguay.
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FIFA.comD-day for hosts and other hopefulsTuesday 6 November 2012Group C leaders Brazil are the only side in action on day seven of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 to have already made sure of their place in the Round of 16. In their final group game the Brazilians take on Portugal, who are fighting it out for second with Japan, although one of the two could well go through as one of the best third-placed sides.
The situation is even tighter in Group A, where Ukraine lead the way by a solitary point from Costa Rica and the host nation, while bottom-placed Paraguay still have a chance of elbowing their way into the last 16.
Match of the dayParaguay-Thailand (Bangkok, Indoor Stadium Huamark, 21:00)
With so much at stake, this promises to be a truly tense affair. Tipped to progress by the pundits before the group got under way, the Paraguayans, who have just one point to their name, have no option but to win. The return of star striker Enmanuel Ayala from suspension will surely help them in their bid to do just that.
The Thais have more margin for error but will not want to rely on the results of other games. Though outclassed by the Ukrainians in the first half on Sunday, the hosts gave a very good account of themselves after the restart, raising hopes that they could yet progress. Those hopes hinge to some extent on whether their star man, Suphawut Thueanklang, can recover from the injury he sustained against the eastern Europeans.
Other highlightsIn the other game in Group A, Ukraine take on a Costa Rica side buoyed by their big win over Paraguay at the weekend, which has given them a chance of topping the section and thereby avoiding one of the big guns in the first knockout round.
Brazil, the side everyone will want to avoid in the last 16, play their final game in Group C against Portugal, who lie second in the section on four points and look well placed to progress.
Third-placed Japan secured their solitary point thanks to a dramatic comeback against the Portuguese and now need to beat Libya to stay in the hunt. If they are to have any chance of advancing, the north Africans have to win and hope results elsewhere go their way.
Player to watchCardinal (POR)Scorer of just two goals at Brazil 2008, the 27-year-old pivot has already bagged five in Thailand. A skilful and opportunistic finisher who has impressed everyone with his eye for goal, the No7 is proving a real handful for opposing defenders.
The stat19 - The number of matches reigning world champions Brazil have gone without defeat, the second-best run in the history of the competition, just four games short of the all-time record they themselves set between 1988 and 2000.
The words“The match with Libya is a final for us. We are determined to make history and reach the next round for the first time ever,”
Japan coach Miguel Rodrigo.
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FIFA.comVinicius savouring unlikely comebackTuesday 6 November 2012Last June was a turning point in the career of Brazil’s futsal team skipper Vinicius. After a stellar career in Europe that saw him collect numerous awards and titles, the 35-year-old midfielder picked up an injury that threatened to end his dream of competing in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012.
Five months ago, Vinicius returned to Brazil after receiving medical advice that his career was coming to an end. However, after speaking to team-mate and futsal legend Falcao, he signed up for local club Intelli Orlandia to begin the long and painful road to recovery.
A dazzling returnVinicius exhaled deeply when FIFA.com mentioned the doctors who advised him to give up the game: “I thought I’d never play futsal again,” he said, “let alone for the national team. Before signing the contract with Intelli I spoke with Falcao, and he said the club was a big one and it would be a great place to get myself back into shape.”
“I’ve been working hard for the last five months in order to get my strength back and make it to Thailand. I’ve had physiotherapy, trained every day and had to take some really tough fitness programmes. It was hard – I’m 35 after all – but I believe I’m doing well now and can help the team.”
Having recovered his match-fitness, he captained his club to their first ever Brazilian futsal league title, scoring a vital goal in the final against Krona Joinville Dalponte. It was a special moment, as Vinicius explained: “Competing again then playing in the league final was wonderful. But I’ve no idea how I managed to score. I can’t describe it. The goal came in the dying moments of the game, when my body was tired. God alone knows how I got it in!”
His first significant contribution to Brazil’s Thailand 2012 campaign was a goal against Japan in their opening game. Unsurprisingly Vinicius is determined to savour every moment in south-east Asia, saying: “I’m very proud to playing at my third Futsal World Cup, especially at 35. I want to enjoy competing here because this will be my last time.”
A humble leaderPart of the Brazil squad that came third in Chinese Taipei 2004, Vinicius finally lifted the trophy four years later in Brazil, this time wearing the captain’s armband. Speaking of his role as skipper of the four-time world champions, he is typically modest: “To be frank, the captain’s armband doesn’t make that much difference to me. I’m the same guy with or without it. I always try to have my say and guide the team when I spot an error, but personally I don’t make a huge thing of being captain.”
When the talk turned to Wednesday’s game against Portugal, the veteran had this to say: “It’ll be a tricky one because they need to win, and for me it will be a special occasion because I admire Portuguese players like Ricardinho, Cardinal and Joao Matos. It’ll be a pretty evenly balanced game and a close one.”
Although Brazil are the first side to qualify from the group stages, Vinicius refuses to get ahead of himself. “I believe that when the group stage is done and dusted, the slate will be wiped clean and the competition will begin again,” he said.
His words may just be the modesty of a man who knows he is part of a winning side. One thing is for certain, however: Vinicius will doing all he can to crown his impossible comeback with the title of FIFA Futsal World Champion.
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Luca Ranocchiari -->
luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com
