By Doug Reed @DougReedFutsal

The final of the 2013 Brazilian championship, Liga Futsal, will be played this week. In the final the reigning champions ADC Intelli will face surprise finalists Concórdia to earn the right to lift the title in one of the world’s strongest and most competitive leagues. Here we provide you with a short preview.

Concordia were only formed in 2006 and their biggest success in their history so far came in 2011 when the won the state championship. No-one expected them to get this far, especially after finishing 10th in the first phase and with a semi-final against last year’s runners up Krona Joinville. They managed a 2-2 draw in Concordia in the first leg and in the second game they defeated Krona 7-2 away from home. The size of the feat is highlighted by the fact it was the first home loss for Krona in the league this year.

They have achieved their success with a young squad, only one player is over the age of 28, and with a very intense, high pressing and high tempo style of play. They are led by former Brazilian international Serginho (his son also plays in the team). He had a distinguished career as a player, winning the World Cup with Brazil in 1982 and signing for Lazio in the Italian Serie A at the age of 43. His coaching career began with UCS, giving him experience of working with young players, before moving on to Concordia.

Some of their best performers so far include goalkeeper Gian, who recently made his first international appearance with Brazil; Dé, a mobile winger and their top scorer; Pito, a pivot with 14 goals so far and Felipe, who scored a wonder goal in the semi-final.

For their miracle to be achieved they will have to defeat the all-powerful Intelli featuring global superstar Falcao. They won the championship for the first time last year and they hope to be only the third team to win back to back titles. The team is coached by Cidao, the longest serving coach in the league, after taking over in 2000, and he finished 4th in the Agla FutsalPlanet Best Club Coach of the World 2012 Award.

In contrast to their rivals, they are a team full of experience with players such as former Brazil captain Vinicius, Cico and Cabreúva. Complementing these are some of the younger players that are part of the new look Brazil including pivot and Intelli´s top goalscorer Jé, former Inter Movistar player Gadeia and Brazil´s 1st choice goalkeeper Guita.

Their leader is Falcao, who will be playing his last games for the club as he will join a new highly ambitious project next season which is to be announced soon. After being the league´s top goalscorer for four consecutive years before last season he has only 7 goals in this year´s edition. He may not contribute the number of goals he has done in the past but, as we saw in the 2012 World Cup, he is a player that always appears in the decisive moments.

The games will take place on Monday 11th November in Corcordia and Sunday 17th November in Orlandia, with both shown on SporTV. Can the underdogs cause one more upset and achieve an unbelievable victory or will Intelli be a step too far? We will soon find out.






Posted by Doug Reed -@DougReedFutsal --> info@futsalplanet.com