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FIFA.comEspinola: We’re ready to go all the wayFriday 9 November 2012The sense of relief was palpable in the Paraguay dressing room after their hard-fought 3-2 win over the host nation in their final match in Group A of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012.
And no wonder. After all, La Albirroja had just come within a single goal of going out of the tournament at the first hurdle, an outcome few envisaged for a side that had arrived in the Far East as genuine contenders. One of the key factors in their narrow win over the Thais was the performance of goalkeeper Carlos Espinola, who pulled off three crucial blocks in the final minute alone to keep the Paraguayans in the competition.
“What happened to us in the group phase? I honestly feel we thought we’d get through easily,” said the Albirroja No1, in conversation with FIFA.com. “Our opponents soon brought us back down to Earth, though, and we learned the lesson. Paraguay have a lot more to offer and we wouldn’t have deserved to go out so early.”
Shying away from excuses, Espinola offered up an explanation for his side’s shaky form: “I think we felt the pressure of being favourites because a lot’s expected of this team back in Paraguay. Then there’s the fact that we came up against three very good sides who gave us three different tests. You have to give them credit for that too.”
The 31-year-old Asuncion-born shotstopper added: “It was a really big ask to have to finish off the group against the hosts and get a result, which is why we had a meeting before the game. There were a few raised voices because we felt we weren’t playing with the grit and determination Paraguay’s known for. It was a tough showdown but it was worth it. We showed character and we’re ready now to give anyone a fight.”
A regular presence in the Albirroja set-up since the 2003 Copa America, Espinola knows what his role is in the team. “It’s often said that the goalkeeper is the coach on the pitch, and there’s some truth in that,” he said, before explaining with a laugh: “I can’t keep my mouth shut during games and a lot of times I end up hoarse and getting stick from my team-mates.”
Single-minded and stockily built, Espinola has never tried his luck at the 11-a-side game and earns his living as a civil servant in the Paraguayan Health Ministry’s Environmental Department, all while taking an accountancy degree, which he is now in the third year of.
The keeper, who is missing the first birthday of his second son to be in Thailand, explained his love for the game: “Futsal is my passion. I’ve been playing it since I was 12 and I’m so proud to be representing my country at another World Cup.”
Espinola shared the goalkeeping duties for his country at Brazil 2008, where Paraguay faced Portugal, their next opponents in the Round of 16 on Sunday, in the group phase. That game ended in a 3-2 win for the Portuguese, and the Paraguayan custodian is expecting another close encounter.
“They’ve come on since then. They’re very organised and have some talented individuals. The fact that Joao Bendito won’t be in goal [following his red card against Brazil] is good news for us. It’ll definitely be worth watching.”
Now that Paraguay have emerged unscathed from their group-phase travails, Espinola believes he and his team-mates can only improve in the knockout rounds: “It’s a different World Cup that’s starting now, though this is the closest in history. With the exception of Brazil, Spain, Russia and Italy, the rest will have to fight tooth and nail to go through.”
So just what are La Albirroja capable of? “Anything,” replied the custodian, winding up our chat. “We prepared really well and we’ve come here with a very clear objective: to reach the final. And if you get that far, you just have to go for it. Let’s get one thing clear: if we take things step by step and stay grounded, we’re more than ready to be champions.”
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FIFA.comAssis: We can compete with the bestSaturday 10 November 2012Italian international Saad Assis is the prototypical futsal player. Born and raised in Brazil, he measures 1.68 metres, weighs 68 kilos and honed his skills on the streets of Sao Paulo before going on to play at the highest level in his homeland as well as in Italy and Spain.
Assis is now one of the most successful players in the world. He plies his trade with Barcelona in Spain's top futsal league and helped the Squadra Azzurra to third place at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2008 and the UEFA Futsal EURO 2012. And in Thailand, the 33-year-old will be hoping to help Italy go even further.
"We all dream of winning the tournament, but obviously so do some of the other players taking part," he said in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com. "It won't be easy since Brazil, Spain and Russia in particular are incredibly strong. We'll give it our all but it'll be tough."
Before they can think about a semi-final clash against European champions Spain or EURO runners-up Russia, Assis and co will have to face Egypt in the last 16 after the Africans made it through as one of the four best third-placed teams in the group stages. The Italians will certainly not be taking the next match for granted.
"We don't know all that much about Egypt, but I think we'll be looking at some video analysis of them over the next couple of days," said the experienced striker, who added three strikes to his career tally during the three group matches in Thailand. "They must be a decent team, otherwise they wouldn't have been able to win so easily against a Czech Republic team which knocked us out of the tournament two years ago at the EURO. We're confident that we will reach the quarter-finals, but at the same time we know that we will have to play our best futsal if we are to win our next match on Monday."
"I'm just doing my job and helping the team. I'm a striker so I obviously like scoring goals, but at the end of the day it's team success that counts," he said modestly when asked about his past achievements.
Things have been going well so far for Assis and his team-mates, who cruised through Group D with wins against Australia (9-1), Argentina (3-2) and Mexico (5-2). Coach Roberto Menichelli's men thus picked up a maximum nine-point haul, and though the knock-out stages will obviously see a step-up in quality, Assis is confident they will make it right through to the end of the tournament.
"We have a completely different team compared with 2008. The squad is a lot younger than the back then, but we still have some very good players. As a group, we're definitely in a position to hold our own with the best futsal nations at this World Cup."
Not that merely holding their own will be enough to fill Assis's lofty expectations. "I only ever have one objective, and that's winning the next match," he concludes. "It's my job, it's why I play for the Italian national team and at club level for Barcelona."
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FIFA.comIran’s Keshavarz comes of ageSaturday 10 November 2012Mohammad Keshavarz was just ten years old when Golden Shoe winner Saeid Rajabi Shirazi helped Iran to fourth place at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Hong Kong 1992, their highest-ever finish. Now, two decades on at Thailand 2012, Keshavarz is captain of the national team and, after a successful group stage campaign, hopes to emulate Iran’s past glory.
History is not on his side. Having failed to make it past the first round three times in a row, Iran finally made it through to the second round at Brazil 2008 only to be denied a semi-final spot by Italy on goal difference. However, speaking to FIFA.com, Keshavarz revealed that Iran have been engaged in a long-term rebuilding process since 2004 and he is optimistic these efforts will bear fruit in Thailand.
The 30-year-old defender, voted Asian Player of the Year in 2011, said: “We're what you could call a work-in-progress. In 2004, we didn’t get past the group stage, then in 2008 we played a bit better and qualified for the second round. We’re gradually improving and I expect we’ll play better in Thailand than we did in Brazil.”
Keshavarz didn't manage an appearance at Chinese Taipei 2004, but he has many memories of Brazil, not all of them happy ones. In the second round in 2008, he was sent off against Ukraine to miss the decider against Italy, which ended in a 5-5 draw.
Four years on, the memory has lost some of its sting: “I can’t remember anything worse happening to me, but I’m over it now and it’s a reminder not to make the same mistake this time round. I have to give my very best for my national team.”
His captaincy is clearly based around learning from experience, good and bad. Turning to his side’s early progress in the tournament, the man who takes Spanish star Torras as his role model is reflective: “Everyone has tended to say that we play our best against stronger teams but our standard drops off when the opponents are weaker. That said, against Morocco and Panama we were thinking about getting the three points, not racking up massive scores.”
With their qualification from the group stage secured, Iran’s next challenge is their first Round of 16 match against Colombia on 11 November. The Iranian captain anticipates a tough encounter, given the South Americans' rock-solid defensive display in their final group F match against Russia.
“It will be a difficult game,” Iran’s elder statesman explained. “We don’t know much about Colombia and we’ve never faced them before. What I do know is that we will do our best to continue our winning ways at the tournament.”
Although his ultimate ambition is to make it to the semi-finals, he is justifiably proud of making it to his third FIFA Futsal World Cup finals: “I am most proud of the games I’ve played at the World Cup. To be in the squad for this tournament three times is the pinnacle of my football career.”
“I’ve come of age with this team,” he concluded: “I’ve trained hard in order become the best player in Iran. What I’m achieving here in Thailand, the success I’m seeing, is the result of all the hard work we’ve put in over the last eight years.”
The ten-year-old Keshavarz could not have dreamed of all he would go on to achieve, but all these years later Iran’s captain wants only one thing: to take his team as far as they can go at Thailand 2012.
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FIFA.comExperience versus ambitionSaturday 10 November 2012The Round of 16 kicks off at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 with three second-round debutants taking the stage as Thailand, Japan and Colombia face off against the experience of Spain, Ukraine and Iran. Revenge is the name of the game in Sunday’s fourth and final encounter as Paraguay square off with Portugal.
Match of the dayParaguay-Portugal, Bangkok, Indoor Stadium Huamark, 11 November 2012, 16:00 (local time)
Four years ago La Albirroja met Portugal in the teams’ first and only FIFA Futsal World Cup encounter to date. While Portugal triumphed 3-2 in the Group B clash at Brazil 2008, the teams appear so closely matched that is impossible to predict who will come out on top in Sunday’s game and book the first quarter-final slot at Thailand 2012.
Other highlightsThe game between Spain and Thailand is sure to be popular, with the tournament hosts making their first-ever second round appearance after finishing third in Group A. The sides met in pre-tournament friendlies in Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchsima, both of which were won by Spain. Thailand will be hoping their home advantage can work in their favour in a tough game against the two-time world champions, who have not failed to reach the semi-finals in five successive editions of the tournament.
Japan’s task will be no easier against well-drilled Ukraine. A third place in Group C was enough for the AFC Asian Futsal champions to make history and qualify for the Round of 16, but Ukraine coach Gennadly Lisenchuk’s men came top in Group A and look set to go far.
Sunday’s final game sees newcomers Colombia take on Iran, one of seven sides yet to lose a game at Thailand 2012. Colombia will take heart from their sterling defensive work against Group F opponents Russia.
Player to watchFollowing his hat-trick in Paraguay’s first game against Ukraine, a suspension saw Enmanuel Ayala sidelined for his side’s shock 6-3 defeat at the hands of Costa Rica. But in his return against Thailand the midfielder was on top form, knocking in his side’s second goal and stamping his authority on the game. He will be an important part of coach Fernando Leite’s plans against Portugal.
The stat9 - The number of times Spain have played Asian sides at a FIFA Futsal World Cup. The two-time world champions have a superb record in this regard, with only a single loss, and that came back in 1992 when they were defeated 4-2 by Iran in the group stage. However they had their revenge later in the same tournament when they overcame Iran in the battle for third place.
The words“Before the game against Russia we thought we would make third place in Group F, not second, but this outcome doesn’t change anything as far as we’re concerned. Iran will be as hard as any other side we could have faced in the Round of 16,”
Colombia coach Arney Fonnegra.The scheduleParaguay-Portugal (Bangkok, Indoor Stadium Huamark, 16:00)
Ukraine-Japan (Bangkok, Indoor Stadium Huamark, 18:30)
Spain-Thailand (Bangkok, Nimibutr Stadium, 18:30)
Iran-Colombia (Bangkok, Nimibutr Stadium, 21:00)
(All kick-off times are local)
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FIFA.comInaba: We're like a familySaturday 10 November 2012Japan were dealt a tough hand at the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2012 in Thailand. Drawn alongside record titleholders Brazil, European heavyweights Portugal and Libya in Group B, the Asian champions faced a daunting task in reaching the knockout phase.
Their hopes were further dented by a 4-1 opening defeat against the South Americans, but a 5-5 draw with the Iberians and subsequent 4-2 victory against Libya ensured Miguel Rodrigo's side secured their place in the last 16.
Key to the Samarai Blue's third-place finish in the group were the goals of Kotaro Inaba, who explained his satisfaction with the team's progress in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.
"I'm certainly not disappointed," said the 29-year-old. "We thought we could come third when the draw was made despite it being a very difficult group. We've got four points and are very happy with that. It gives us plenty of confidence heading into the last 16."
Now the Japanese, who claimed continental glory by beating Thailand in the final of the AFC Futsal Championship back in May, take on a Ukraine side who drew 3-3 with Paraguay and overcame hosts Thailand 5-3 and Costa Rica 6-1 in Group A.
"It's the first time that we've qualified for the second round of a Futsal World Cup," said Inaba. "If we do win against Ukraine, I'm sure Japanese futsal will make great strides. My team-mates and I are going to do our very best."
So far Inaba has done just that at Thailand 2012, scoring his side's only goal against Brazil in Japan's opening loss before netting a brace in their final group match against Libya. Asked for his thoughts on his own contribution in the host cities of Nakhon Ratchasima and Bangkok, Inaba appeared reluctant to accept any personal praise.
"I'm happy to have scored three goals, but I'm not satisfied with my own performances as I could have scored more goals against Brazil and Libya. I'll be doing everything I can to help the team with more goals against Ukraine."
Inaba's modesty typifies the importance of team spirit within the Japan camp at Thailand 2012, something the skilful forward further emphasised when revealing the secret behind the squad's success.
"In the match against Portugal it was clear to see what makes us so strong. It's the unity we have. This team has a real communal spirit. We don't do anything for ourselves on the pitch, it's all for the team. That's the priority – we're like a family."
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FIFA.comUnity against discrimination at Thailand 2012Saturday 10 November 2012When Spain meet Thailand in the Round of 16 at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012, FIFA will take the opportunity to underline football’s united stance against all forms of discrimination, from racism to religious prejudice.
The 11 November encounter between two-time world champions Spain and the tournament hosts will see Spain’s captain read a statement on behalf of his team, rejecting discrimination in all its forms and pledging to use the power of football to express that discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, ethnic origin, religion, sexuality or on any other grounds have no place at all in global football.
He will be joined by his Thai counterpart, who will read a similar pledge on behalf of the Thailand team calling on all those watching the game around the world to join together in saying an unequivocal ‘No’ to any norm of discrimination.
Speaking at a conference hosted by English organisation Kick It Out last July at the London 2012 Olympics, FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter said, “There is racism and discrimination in our game, and that is wrong. We want to teach people that self-discipline, fair play and respect don’t just belong on the pitch, where there are rules and referees, but in our daily lives as well. We want to see people treating each other fairly, regardless of their religion, culture or the colour of their skin.”
The annual FIFA Anti-Discrimination Day is a chance to unite the football family and express its rejection of all forms of discrimination. At the same time, such sentiments should not just last a day, but must become a year-round reality.
FIFA’s position is enshrined in its official codes and statues. Article 3 of the FIFA Statutes states:
“Discrimination of any kind against a country, private person or group of people of account of ethnic origin, gender, language, religion, politics or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion.”
Article 7 of the FIFA Code of Ethics and Article 58 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code further reinforces this position.
The first ever FIFA Anti-Discrimination Day was celebrated on 7 July, 2002, following the ratification of the resolution to fight racism at the Extraordinary Congress of FIFA in Buenos Aires in 2001. Since then a number of FIFA tournaments have taken the opportunity to mark the day by saying “No” to all forms of discrimination.
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