Courtesy: FIFA.com


Hassanzadeh: Top-three finish is Iran's aim

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Iran’s national futsal team has, for many years now, been recognised as part of the game’s global elite. Despite this status, they have generally failed to live up to expectations at the FIFA Futsal World Cup over the past 20 years, a fourth-placed finish in their maiden appearance at Hong Kong 1992 notwithstanding.

Thailand 2012 should provide the Iranians with an ideal opportunity to taste real success in the showpiece event, though, according to midfielder Ali Hassanzadeh, who took some time out from the competition to chat to FIFA.com. “We’re aiming to finish in the top three,” said the player who made his tournament debut at Brazil 2008.

“To achieve that, we need to take one game at a time, and keep an eye on how our rivals are doing. We’re taking a careful approach, but that doesn’t prevent us from feeling optimistic."

Confidence and determination
The attack-minded No7’s sense of belief is based on tangible results, as the Asian representatives boast no fewer than ten AFC Futsal Championship titles. However, last time out, the Iranians had to content themselves with third spot in the continental competition. But far from feeling discouraged by this disappointing outcome, Hassanzadeh remains extremely confident.

“If everyone focuses 100 per cent on their role and follows the coach’s instructions, no other team in Asia can beat us – we’re a cut above the rest,” explained the 25-year-old. "The defeats that we’ve suffered at past Asian Championships were just one-offs."

Having received his first cap in 2007, Hassanzadeh has since amassed considerable international experience, establishing himself as one of the lynchpins of the side, to the extent that national coach Ali Sanei recently described him as Iran’s "leader" and "fulcrum".

“My success stems from my style of play," he said. "I always try to make myself available to my team-mates. I’m not the type of guy who acts like a star or plays selfishly – I give all I’ve got to the team. To become a good player, you firstly have to be a good team-mate. I plan to stick to those principles for as long as I’m playing."

Strong start
When the subject of team objectives raises its head, Hassanzadeh exhibits an immediate change of attitude, however. He sits up straight, appearing to grow in stature. His voice takes on a firmer tone, and his stare becomes more intense, a reflection of the fact that the Iranians came to Thailand with lofty aims.

After having fought back to snatch a 2-2 draw in Group B with European champions Spain, Hazzandeh and his team-mates showed that they are indeed a force to be reckoned with by seeing off Morocco 2-1 in a match where the scoreline did not reflect the Asians’ domination.

“We were focused and we played well, but the ball just wouldn’t go in, to put it simply," said Hazzandeh. "On top of that, the Moroccan goalkeeper had a great match."

On Thursday, Iran will lock horns with Panama, while Spain face Morocco. Hassanzadeh and Co are confident that a resounding victory will send a strong signal to other tournament hopefuls that they intend making their Thailand 2012 adventure last as long as possible.





Courtesy: FIFA.com


Lucuix: We can beat anyone

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Though Argentina came away empty-handed from Monday’s meeting with Italy in Group D of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, it was a setback that nevertheless confirmed La Albiceleste can more than hold their own against the world’s most feared teams.

Still second in the section, Argentina’s performance against the Italians means they are favourites to beat Australia in their third and final pool game. Should they do so, they will move into the last 16. One man who is taking nothing for granted, however, is their wing man Matias Lucuix, the only member of the Argentinian squad who plays in the ultra-competitive Spanish league.

“I don’t like all this talk about being favourites that much,” the Inter Movistar player told FIFA.com. “Logic suggests we ought to win but if we don’t go and back that up on the court, it won’t really count for much, will it?”

While he was happy with Argentina’s overall performance against the Italians, Lucuix believes there are some areas where they need to sharpen their game: “We took the match to them and brought their keeper into things, which is something you can always take with you. It has to be said we let them come on to us in the first half, though two of their three goals owed a lot to luck. All that means, though, is that they took their chances and we didn’t.”

As he went on to explain, there is no chance of the South Americans underestimating Australia. “They’re well organised and very physical and they matched the Italians for 15 minutes. The key will be to find space without forgetting our own strengths, which is to keep it tight at the back and take risks when the time is right.”

Lucuix’s ability to read the game should come as no surprise. It was that attribute, among many others, that allowed him to make the move from Argentinian to Spanish futsal in 2006, when he was only 21. Prior to that he had played for Tigre with his friends before joining his beloved River Plate for a seven-year stint. In all that time, however, he never tried his hand at the 11-a-side game.

Explaining the reasons why, he said: “By the age a lot of people give it a go, I was already travelling with Argentina’s futsal team and one thing just led to another from there. When the opportunity to go to Spain came up, I made the decision to go straightaway. It was my chance to go and do what I enjoyed most.”

An admirer of Brazil’s Vinicius and Torras of Spain, Lucuix is now appearing in his second world finals, just a few days short of his 27th birthday. His first FIFA Futsal World Cup came four years ago in Brazil: “You don’t forget your first one, but I’m enjoying this one in a different way. This time around we’re still behind Brazil, Spain and Russia even, but we’re right in there in the chasing pack with Italy and Iran. We’ve got different expectations here.”

Always keen to deflect praise for his own performances, Ducuix prefers to focus instead on what the team can achieve: “We’re growing as a unit and if we don’t make the last eight I think it would be a step back for us. If we can make the semi-finals, though, then we can say it’s mission accomplished. We’ve definitely got a chance too because I think we can beat anyone in a straight fight.”




Courtesy: FIFA.com


Down to the wire on day eight

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Everything hangs in the balance on day eight of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, with four matches set to decide who will qualify from Groups B and D. Italy at least are sure of their passage to the next round, leaving the other sides in Group D to tussle over the second spot. Group B is just as exciting, with frontrunners Spain and Iran only a single point clear of third-placed Panama.

Match of the day
Argentina-Australia, Bangkok, Nimibutr Stadium, 8 November 2012, 17:00 (local time)

This is a crucial match-up, and with the winner guaranteed a place in the next round, it has the makings of a fiercely contested fixture. If Argentina prevail it will be the sixth time - and the third in succession - they have made it past the tournament’s group stages, while Australia are looking for their first-ever appearance in the knockout phase.

The South Americans go into the game with a clear advantage following their solid performance against Italy, but Australia should not be taken lightly. When these two teams last met four years ago in a friendly international, the Futsalroos impressed with a draw.

Other highlights
With qualification secured, Italy coach Roberto Menichelli’s next task is to ensure his side stay top of the group in their meeting with last-placed Mexico. And if they play to their ability, the Europeans have the quality to win, and comfortably.

Spain and Morocco’s Group B encounter is of critical importance to the Iberians, who dearly want to hang onto first place and make sure of qualification. For his part, Morocco coach Hicham Dguig sees the game as a chance “to give a better impression of Moroccan futsal”.

The second game in Group B, which sees Iran and Panama go head to head, is another match that is hard to call. Neither side has shown consistency over the course of their last two games and much will depend on which team turns up on the night.

Player to watch
He might not have a goal to his name at Thailand 2012, but Spain and Barcelona forward Torras has been a delight to watch and made a crucial contribution to his side’s win over Panama. Of Spain’s ten goals at the tournament thus far, he has provided assists for three of them.

The stat
99 – The total number of goals scored by Argentina at FIFA Futsal World Cups. The next Argentinian to score will go down in the books as the man to complete the century. On the other hand, Saad Assis’ goal in their match against Italy was the 100th goal La Albiceleste have conceded in all appearances at the tournament.

The words
“We know how hard the next match will be. Argentina are one of the best sides in the world, while my guys are still learning. That said, we won’t surrender and we have to do the best we can to slow them down and hang in there. Otherwise, they’ll show us no mercy,” Australia coach Steven Knight.

The schedule
Australia-Argentina (Bangkok, Nimibutr Stadium, 17.00)
Mexico-Italy (Bangkok, Indoor Stadium Huamark, 17.00)
Iran-Panama (Bangkok, Nimibutr Stadium, 19.00)
Morocco-Spain (Indoor Stadium Huamark, 19.00)

(All kick-off times are local)




Courtesy: FIFA.com


Torras backs Spain’s Barça connection

Wednesday 7 November 2012

Just as there is no disputing Spain’s current status as football’s dominant force, nor can there be any doubt over Barcelona’s role in La Roja’s ascent. Other clubs have, of course, contributed greatly, but it’s widely accepted that the world champions have looked to the Camp Nou for the heart of their team – and the ethos of their play.

A similar phenomenon could well be developing in futsal, where six of Spain’s 14-man squad play their club football in the claret and blue. Barcelona’s futsal division is also rapidly matching the success of its football equivalent, with 2012 having already brought a second successive Spanish title and a first-ever European crown.

Key to the achievements of both club and country is Torras, a player who earlier this year added an adidas golden boot at the UEFA Futsal EURO to his bulging collection of team honours. And while a top scorer prize perhaps offers a misleading representation of his role, which is more akin to Xavi’s than David Villa’s, it undoubtedly reinforced his continuing importance to the Spanish cause. Fresh honours have since followed at Barça, and the 32-year-old, a world champion with La Roja in 2004, believes the national team can benefit from the confidence and understanding forged in Catalonia.

“It’s a very important thing for us,” he told FIFA.com. “Having a lot of colleagues who know each other so well, and have been enjoying good moments together, can only help. It’s vital that you know your colleagues well, trust them completely and understand what they are going to do on the court. That’s the base every team needs, and we are lucky to have that. But I must say that it’s not just the Barcelona players. In this squad, we all know each other well because we’ve been playing together a long time. We all follow the same principles, and I’m grateful to have colleagues I can enjoy playing with so much.”

That sense of pleasure was evident throughout Spain’s sparkling 8-3 win over Panama, a in which Torras was at his muscular, majestic best. Much is expected of him and his team-mates after their European conquest, and as one of only three survivors from the team that lifted the FIFA Futsal World Cup eight years ago, the veteran Barça star is well placed to assess the chances of a repeat.

“Individually, we’re actually a very different team to the ones from 2004 and 2008,” he said. “The current players have different styles to the ones who went before, although both have great quality. But the most important thing for us is that our philosophy, principles and unity are the same. It’s true that there has been a generational change but winning the EURO proved this to be positive. It has also given us the belief that we can reach the final again here at the World Cup, and hopefully lift the trophy.

“We know how tough it will be though,” he added, “and it’s not all about us and Brazil. I see lots of teams who can win this tournament: Russia, Italy, Iran, Argentina, Portugal... all of them for sure. We know we’re going to need a great tournament to win the World Cup again.”






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