13/7/2013
15.50 Santiago Futsal (SPA) – Kazma (KUW)
17.00 MNK Alumnus (CRO) – Chonburi (THA)

The remaining teams who have yet to play will take the stage this Saturday in two Group D encounters. Labelled ‘the group of death’ due to the strength of all four teams, there should be some high level futsal on display.

Santiago Futsal is the competition’s hot favourites after finishing 5th in Spain’s Primera Division last season, one of the world’s most competitive leagues. The club won the Cup Winners Cup in 2006/07 under current Spanish coach Venancio Lopez and this year will be their 10th in Spain’s highest league. Also included in their ranks is Alan Brandi who recently scooped the Best New Talent Award in the end of season league awards.

Kazma are the home team here in Kuwait. They are coached by Brazilian Manolo Pagani and he has brought several of his fellow countrymen along with him. The squad includes four players who the UEFA Futsal Cup in 2009/10 with Benfica. They will hope the home fans become their 6th player. This should be a great match with a high level of futsal on display.

In the second game Alumnus from Croatia take on Thai champions Chonburi. Alumnus were only formed in 2008 but have had a rapid rise since. This year they reached the semi-finals of the Croatian playoffs. For this tournament they will be missing several key players who have obligations to attend the European University Championships in Spain. They have been replaced with young players from the youth team and experienced players such as former Croatian captain Matija Capar and Doug Reed from England.

Their opponents are Chonburi from Thailand who have won four out of the five national championships organised. They are coached by well known Spanish coach José María Pazos Méndez ‘Pulpis’ who was previously coaching the Thai national team. Their key player is captain Kritsada Wongkaeo Ratchaburi who performed well in the recent World Cup. He is joined by several other Thai national team players and some Brazilians. This should be another game with good futsal on show for the fans.





FP Staff --> info@futsalplanet.com