Courtesy: Campaign


Newport futsal ace Rico Zulkarnain shines as Wales claim Home Nations crown

by David Williams

NEWPORT’S Rico Zulkarnain helped Wales create history by winning the inaugural Home Nations Futsal Championship at Cardiff City’s House of Sport.

Zulkarnain and his teammates stunned England in the final game of the tournament, defeating Mike Skubala’s men 6-2 to take the title on home soil.

Wales, who had already beaten Northern Ireland 7-1 and Scotland 5-2, took the lead against the English through Simon Prangley following a clever back heel by Zulkarnain.

Dafydd Jones was on top form between the sticks but he couldn’t do anything to stop Luke Ballinger equalising soon after.

Wales boss Richard Gunney needn’t have worried as his team took a 3-1 advantage into the break thanks to a Chris Hugh strike and a second for Prangley.

England piled on the pressure early in the second period but Jones was equal to it, before Elliot Thomas netted a quick-fire brace to make it 5-1.

Max Kilman pulled one back but Danny Hooper’s penalty, after Agon Rexha had been sent off, put the result beyond doubt.

Wales started the event by thrashing an Irish side that put up a strong fight, particularly in the first half.

Hugh struck early and it was only late goals from Tyrell Webbe and Jonny Nelson that gave the hosts breathing space going into the second half.

Northern Ireland’s Jasir Camara was his side’s main threat, although there was no way back when Zulkarnain found Hooper to add a fourth.

While Hugh made it 5-0, the Irish did score their first ever futsal goal through a Michael O’Hehir effort that rebounded in off Richard Morgan.

Another Zulkarnain assist saw Thomas net Wales’ sixth and Nelson made the scoreline even more emphatic with a seventh.

Zulkarnain’s first goal of the tournament came in Wales’ second match against the Scots.

A deflected Nelson effort gave the Welsh the lead, only for Craig McLeish to level from the spot.

Dayle Robertson put Scotland in front before Webbe equalised and Zulkarnain made it 3-2.

A second Webbe strike gave Wales a two-goal cushion at half-time and Naim Arsan found the target in the second period to complete a 5-2 victory.



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