Courtesy: The FA.com


Germany 3-3 England

Max Kilman earned the Three Lions Futsal team a thrilling draw

A last-gasp strike from Max Kilman saw England’s Futsal team share the spoils in a six-goal thriller in front of a bumper crowd in Hamburg.

Germany 3-3 England
Futsal International
Tuesday 1 November 2016
Inselparkhalle Arena, Hamburg
by Mike Brown

The majority of the 1,750 inside the Inselparkhalle Arena were silenced after two minutes when Robert Betson put England in front, but they had fallen behind by half-time.

After Richard Ward equalised, Germany went back in front and looked set for victory until Kilman’s classy leveller.

Ahead of kick-off Luke Ballinger, captain for the night to mark his 100th cap, was joined on court by his team-mates for a presentation by FA Futsal committee chairman Dave Henson.

England were beaten 5-3 by Germany on Sunday, but went some way to putting that behind them, scoring after only two minutes when Betson finished off an attacking move scoring with a shot into the roof of the net.

But you are always at your most vulnerable immediately after scoring and Germany hit back quickly, taking advantage of a slip in defence allowing Daniel Frederik to slot.

Germany started to take control, though England looked the most likely to score a second with Ballinger having three chances – one an overhead kick from a direct throw from keeper Tom Dennis, which his opposite number tipped over the bar.

Germany continued to press but England countered well going close through Ward and Stuart Cook, before another counter attack caught the visitors out and Tino Giorgio made it 2-1 on 15 minutes.

England came out after half-time with increased vigour matching the more physical Germans and Ward ghosted into the area, finishing off a period of sustained pressure after 29 minutes with a calm finish from close range.

Spurred on by the crowd, Germany regained the lead with Stephan Winkle blasting in.

England piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser, with a delicate flick from Raoni Medina just going over.

Then with just 16 seconds left on the clock, Kilman gained possession outside the penalty area, took on several German defenders and calmly placed the ball into the top right-hand corner.

England Squad: Thomas Dennis (Loughborough), Mark Croft (Loughborough), Stuart Cook (Wrexham), Raoni Medina (London Helvecia), Richard Ward (Manchester), James Webb (Loughborough), Luke Ballinger (Melksham), Max Kilman (London Genesis), Robert Betson (York City), Doug Reed (Futsal Dinamo), Russell Goldstein (London Helvecia), Joe Kenny (Loughborough), Jon Adams (Melksham), Jonny Sim (London Helvecia).



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