Courtesy: FIFA.com


Chishkala, a cool Russian customer amid the heat

19 Sep 2016

Many players would react with unbridled joy to scoring their first goal at the FIFA Futsal World Cup, especially at the tender age of 21. Wild celebrations might follow, like kissing the badge on their shirt or seeking out the cameras to dedicate the strike to a loved one. Not so Ivan Chishkala..

"I'm quite simply not an emotional person," the youngster told FIFA.com a little while after his country's 7-1 win over Cuba, in which he made it 2-0. "I can't say that I felt anything special. I took it for what it was – just another goal. It's more important to me that we secured nine points and are through to the knockout stages."

This self-confessed cool-headedness may owe something to Chiskala's upbringing in Norilsk, Siberia, the coldest and northernmost major city inside the Arctic Circle. This is a place that is submerged in total darkness for 45 days of the year, where temperatures can drop below -50C in the depths of winter and winds frequently reach speeds of 25 metres per second.

What is beyond doubt is that being born in Norilsk had a big hand in him taking up the activity that has brought him to the warmer climes of Colombia. "It's extremely cold there. Futsal is the only sport," he said in reference to his hometown.

"I signed up for a futsal school when I was seven. At 14 I moved to Moscow and started playing for Dynamo, where I was spotted by national-team scouts and called up to the youth sides. After representing the U-20s I was promoted to the senior team, and here I am," he went on with a shy smile.


A keen student, not only of futsal
During his rise up through the ranks, he won the 2014 edition of the World University Futsal Championship, to which Russia send youth internationals who are pursuing degrees. Chishkala was eligible because, as well as plying his trade for Gazprom-Ugra Yugorsk, with whom he recently lifted the UEFA Futsal Cup, he attends Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation, an institution that trains professionals to work in the transport sector, among other industries.

In his limited free time, he enjoys "playing Counter Strike on the computer", but not football video games: "No, I'm not interested in them. It's the same for watching football: sometimes I'll catch certain Champions League matches on TV, but I never go to a stadium."

Futsal is a different story: "I watch as much of the Italian and Spanish leagues as I can, although I don't follow the fortunes of particular players. But if there's someone who's really good or that I like, I do pay them closer attention."


Visions of the present and future
Another thing there is no doubt about is Chiskala's vision. Indeed, his superb eye for a pass has been clearly visible at Colombia 2016, where he sits second in the assist charts having set up four goals. Not too shabby for the second youngest player in the Russia squad and the 12th youngest at the tournament.

Given his age and talent, the starlet looks destined to play a lead part for his country for many years to come and to take on further prominence amid their inevitable, and ongoing, generational shift. "There is a natural change of the guard and hopefully I'll have that sort of role," he said.

As for the present, he replied candidly when asked whether Russia's path through to the Round of 16 was as easy as they made it look. "We respect every team, but we know we have the edge over certain opponents. Our aim was to be ready when the knockout action came around. Now the really hard matches start."

As a case in point, the Russians face Vietnam, who promise to pose a tricky test, for a place in the quarter-finals. "You've got to beat whoever's in front of you, no matter who it is," was Chiskala's down-to-earth verdict on this tie.

He was equally matter-of-fact on the subject of his side being less hyped in the media than the likes of Brazil, Italy and Portugal: "That doesn't bother me. We're aware that we're in other countries' shadow, but we also know what we came here for."

To win the title? "I don't think we can talk about being contenders yet, but I know just how strong our team are. All we can do now is just keep playing our game."



Courtesy: FIFA.com


Win or bust as knockout rounds begin

19 Sep 2016

The group stage is over and now it is all or nothing as we enter the knockout rounds of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016. Whoever wants to avoid packing their suitcases and heading for home has one task: win at all costs. FIFA.com previews day one of the Round of 16 action, when the hosts themselves will face a fight to stay in the tournament.


Match of the day

Colombia-Paraguay (20:00, Cali)

Contrary to the expectations of many, the host nation did not make things easy for themselves in the group stages. Draws against Portugal and Uzbekistan were followed by a narrow win against Panama that sealed qualification, but life does not get any easier for Colombia. Paraguay will represent a stern test, although the home side may now be able to play with the shackles off having achieved their minimum objective of progressing from their group.

Paraguay were more impressive than Los Cafeteros in the first phase of the competition, playing some good football and looking difficult to penetrate. In their final group game, the Albirroja brushed off falling two goals behind early on to beat Guatemala, but their character will be severely tested here. They are up against not only Colombia coach Arney Fonnegra’s 14-man squad, but also the entire Coliseo el Pueblo in Cali. The partisan home crowd have supported their team tremendously so far and have been an important factor in those closely fought matches.


The other match
A few hours beforehand, Russia will take on Vietnam in the Round of 16 opener. The Russians have looked a strong and compact unit thus far, and it was only in their first game against Thailand that they stumbled somewhat, throwing away a three-goal lead within minutes of the restart. Their experience helped them eek out the victory nonetheless, however. Vietnam, by contrast, are appearing at the Futsal World Cup for the first time and have no previous experience to fall back on. They are physically smaller and more agile than their Russian counterparts, although in technical terms there is not much to choose between the sides.


Player to wat

Carlos Nanez (COL)
With 17 goals scored, Paraguay have the third-best best attack in the competition behind Brazil and Russia. The hosts are some way short of that number, having scored just eight, and it is actually at the back where they may have the most work to do. Goalkeeper Carlos Nanez could be in for a busy evening, but thankfully for the hosts, he is a man in form. Colombia have conceded just seven times in the tournament so far and Nanez was especially impressive against Portugal, when he made a string of top saves to leave Ricardinho and Co. at their wits’ end.


The stat
4 – Russia have struck the woodwork four times so far; only Brazil, Iran and Italy (all five) have had more bad luck. This may also explain why Russia’s Eder Lima has netted just two goals at the tournament. Four years ago in Thailand he scored nine times to end as the competition’s top scorer and win the adidas Golden Boot award.

The words
“We know Colombia are technically very strong and we’ve watched their games on TV. It’s not just Caro and Abril that we need to keep an eye on, it’s their whole team, and they also have the crowd behind them. We’ll have to put in a perfect performance to get through to the next round.” Paraguay coach Carlos Chilavert


Match schedule

Tuesday 20 September

Russia-Vietnam (17:30, Medellin)
Colombia-Paraguay (20:00, Cali)



Courtesy: FIFA.com


Colombia, lovers of the underdog

19 Sep 2016

Within the confines of the futsal court, where the margins can be so fine, that little something extra can be all you need to force the ball over the line. Being able to run that inch further, get a touch more power on your shot, or have an additional ounce of bravery can be the difference.

But at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016, that something extra has all too often been coming from the other side of the white line, a wave of energy pouring down from the stands, and all too often it has been on hand to boost the little guy.

Cocooned in Colombia’s coliseos, the noise can build to a staggering volume, reverberating beneath the roof and resonating out on the court through the revitalised quintet pouring themselves into the match. The hosts themselves know all too well about this effect – just look at their last-minute equaliser against Uzbekistan – but for some of the lesser nations, while not necessarily converting to points, pride and passion have flowed freely as a result.

Seeing their shouts from the stands translate into belief on the field is one of the driving forces behind fans directing their support in favour of the underdog. “You can tell the team performs at a higher level when the crowd gets behind them, it helps them out and it feels good to be part of that,” Ariel Diaz, watching Solomon Islands in Bucaramanga, said.

Fellow fan Andres Duran concurred. “It makes an influence on the game, it’s like when Colombia play too, and I guess it makes the players think ‘let’s try to perform better for everyone who’s supporting us’.”


Boost for players
And in no uncertain terms it is a boost that’s felt out on the court. “When the crowd is behind you it gives you a lot of energy and fills you with a lot of positivity to keep working hard,” Solomons captain Elliot Ragomo said. “The way [Colombia] have cheered and supported us has kept us boys going and makes us believe we can keep going.”

Coach Juliano Schmeling was in full agreement. “The way the crowd got behind us and supported us was an amazing feeling.” And Mozambique opposite number Naymo Abdul felt the impact too, seeing his side go up a gear while under the influence of the locals. “If you look at the atmosphere, the fans were really getting on board and once everyone was behind us it reflected in us raising our game.”

"It is true, we felt all the support for the Colombian people, and it was fantastic,” Ricardinho, one of Abdul’s charges, agreed. "It was definitely very motivating, and gave us that extra dose of power in the field. We are a young team and things like that make you feel better."

This has been the way across all three venues, with fans getting behind the likes of debutants Azerbaijan, Mozambique, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, or even more seasoned underdogs like Australia when clashing with giants of the game like Brazil. And some have their own reasons a little more personal than simply seeing a futsal ‘David’ standing up a goliath.

Be it having happy memories of trips to the likes of Morocco, a long lost relative from Azerbaijan or enlivened by the passionate native fans who have travelled across the world to be here, such as with Uzbekistan’s vibrant following, many have found their reason to latch on to a brand new team. Or as Duran simply put it: “We’ve just never seen teams like the Solomon Islands here before.”


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