Courtesy: The AFC.com


Spaniard to coach Japan futsal team

3 April 2009

TOKYO: Spaniard Miguel Rodrigo Conde Salazar is the new Japan national futsal coach.

An experienced futsal man, Salazar has been given an extensive brief by the Japan Football Association, which wants the national team to become a world force in the abbreviated game.

The 38-year-old Salazar’s tasks are three-fold: to raise the standard of the national team, develop youth players and groom quality coaches in Japan.

He replaces Brazilian Sergio Sapo, who was the Japan national coach for five years from 2003 to 2008.

“He is one of the leading coaches in Europe,” said Kuniya Daini, JFA vice-president and Futsal Committee chairman. “Even though he is still young he has good experience.

“Spanish futsal style is very organised and a perfect fit for Japan.”

Salazar has plenty of experience as a football coach and was previously with Caja Segovia for three years. Among the other clubs he has coached are Luparense Padova, Dinamo Moscow and Nazareno de Sevilla.

Under Sapo, Japan won the Asian title in 2006 in Uzbekistan and also qualified for the 2004 and 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup.







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