Source: FAW.org.uk

The Wales Futsal squad completed their UEFA Futsal EURO preliminary round Group B with a well-deserved win over third seeds Cyprus. Wales were fastest out of the blocks and it was not long before the Cyprus goal was under threat.

Wales had identified that Cyprus were venerable to the counter attack and Danny Hooper, James Saddler, Elliot Thomas and Jamal Easter combined to set up a number of chances in the opening minutes of the game. Easter came agonisingly close to opening the scoring after three well worked attacking set pieces in succession. However it was not long before Wales did break the deadlock. Danny Hooper struck a trade mark free kick that sent Wales in to a well-deserved lead.

This young Welsh team is rapidly coming to grips with the tactical awareness required to compete in the international Futsal arena and Wales put in an impressive defensive display that restricted Cyprus from any clear openings. From this platform, Wales continued to maintain possession well and find gaps to penetrate the Cyprus defence. It was the counter attack where Wales would extend their lead when some excellent passing and movement in a lightening quick attack meant Jonny Nelson set up Elliot Thomas to finish in style.

Wales would be guilty of missing other opportunities to extend their lead further went into the half time break leading by two goals to nil.

The second half continued in the same fashion as the first with Wales controlling the game and creating the clear openings on goal. However Wales had a period where they lost some of their momentum and allowed Cyprus a few rare strikes at goal. During a time-out with still over twelve minutes of the game remaining, Wales composed themselves and prepared for what they expected would be a change in tactic from Cyprus. Head Coach Richard Gunney made changes in personnel and sent on captain Lloyd Jenkins with Chris Hugh, Elliot Thomas and Jonny Nelson who would be tasked to defend the five versus four tactic of “Fly Goalkeeper”. Cyprus as expected employed this tactic with eleven minutes of the game remaining which effectively ended the fast exciting game as a spectacle and forced Wales to retreat and defend in their own half.

Cyprus were patient in attack, trying to move the welsh defence in to a vulnerable position but Wales were tactically sound and never lost concentration. Cyprus managed to create the odd speculative strike at goal which was easily dealt with by ‘keeper Dafydd Jones. With the clock running down slowly Wales were edging closer towards a well-earned victory. With just under five minutes remaining Cyprus finally breached the welsh defence to set up a tense final few moments. Once again Wales suffered bad luck as, after Jones parried an initial, shot Cyprus scored through another deflection.

Cyprus continued with the five versus tactic for a total of eleven minutes but Wales defended heroically. The minuets finally ticked away and Wales held on to secure the win their performance merited.

With Finland beating Montenegro by two goals to zero Group B ended with Finland as group winners, Montenegro in second place, Wales in third place and Cyprus fourth.

Attention will now turn to FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers to take place later in 2015.






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