Futsal/Indoor Soccer World News
January 1, 2003

News and information on Futsal/Indoor Soccer from around the world


ASIA

IRAN TO STAGE PAIR FRIENDLIES AGAINST ITALY
Iran's Futsal National Team will host Italy in a pair of international friendlies in Tehran from Jan. 14-15, 2003. This is the third-ever meeting between the two teams with the last one coming on Dec. 6, 1997 as Italy blanked Iran 4:0 at the Singapore Tiger 5's International Tournament. The first meeting came in the opening round of the second FIFA Futsal World Championship in Hong Kong as Iran topped Italy 7:5 on Nov. 18, 1992.

AFC FINES, WARNS TURKMENISTAN, VIETNAM FOR WITHDRAWAL FROM 2002 ASIAN FUTSAL TOURNEY
The Football Federation's of Turkmenistan and Vietnam were each fined 5,000 U.S. dollars by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Dec. 11, due to their withdrawals from the 2002 AFC Futsal Championship held in Indonesia. Along with the fines, each respective Federation of Turkmenistan and Vietnam were warned by the AFC to refrain from such action in the future. Vietnam withdrew a month before the 2002 AFC tournament citing difficulties in putting a team together. Turkmenistan also pulled out just before the start of the futsal competition, which was won by Iran, from Oct. 21-30.

EUROPE

2002-03 UEFA FUTSAL CUP SECOND ROUND GROUP MATCHES TO TAKE PLACE IN BELGIUM, ITALY
Belgium and Italy will host the second round group matches for the UEFA Futsal Cup that will run from Mar. 17-23, 2003. Charleroi, Belgium will stage the Group A matches that will have Antena Boomerang (Spain), MNK Split (Croatia) and Norilsky Nickel (Russia) joining last year's UEFA Futsal Cup runners-up Action 21 Charleroi (Belgium). Prato, Italy will be the venue from Group B that is composed of FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), KMF Nis (Yugoslavia), Prato C/5 (Italy) and the defending champion Playas de Castellón (Spain). Each group winner will advance to the two-game final, with the first one taking place between Apr. 14-20 and the second from Apr. 28 - May 4.

2002-03 UEFA Futsal Cup Second Round Groups - Mar. 17-23, 2003
Group A (Charleroi, Belgium)
Action 21 Charleroi (BEL)
Norilsky Nickel (RUS)
Antena Boomerang (ESP)
MNK Split (CRO)

Group B (Prato, Italy)
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
Prato C/5 (ITA)
Playas de Castellón (ESP)
KMF Nis (YUG)

FUTSAL PLANET.COM TO ANNOUNCE "2002 WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR"
The Futsal Planet website (www.futsalplanet.com) will announce the "2002 World Player of the Year" on February 1, 2003. For a third consecutive year, almost 100 Futsal experts (Coaches, Federation Presidents, Journalists, Press Officers, etc.) from all around the world will vote to pick the "Best Player of the World." The voting process will feature 10 points for the first player on the ballot, while the second gets seven. The third pick will receive five points, while the fourth and fifth players will each get three and one point respectively. The voting deadline is slated for January 20, 2003. The "2001 Futsal Planet World Player of the Year" went to midfielder Manuel Tobias of Brazil with a total of 296 points. Forward Javi Rodriguez of Spain took second with 259 points, while Spanish midfielder Daniel Ibañes Caetano finished third in the voting ballot with 197 points. The first edition of the Futsal Planet World Player of the Year went to Manuel Tobias in 2000.

BELIGUM, FRANCE, GREECE, RUSSIA TO COMPETE IN FOUR NATIONS CUP
The Futsal National Teams' of Belgium, Greece and Russia will join the host France in a Four Nations Cup from Jan. 8-9, 2003. All the matches will take place at the Arènes de Nîmes Sport Centre Hall in Nîmes, France. Belgium will face Russia in the opener on Jan. 8, while Greece takes on France in the nightcap. The winners will meet in the final set for Jan. 9, while the losers from the day before will face-off in the earlier consolation match.

2003 UEFA FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW HELD IN ITALY
The draw to place eight teams in the 2003 UEFA Futsal Championship took place at the Palazzo Reale in Naples, Italy on Dec. 10, 2002. The bi-annual UEFA tournament will take place in Caserta and Aversa, Italy from February 17-24, 2003. The European nations were divided into tw groups of four for the first round with Italy earning the number one seed of Group A as the host and the defending champion Spain taking the top spot in Group B. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on Feb. 22. The semifinal losers will meet for the third-place consolation match early in the day of Feb. 24, while the semifinal winners will battle for the 2003 UEFA title. Group A has Czech Republic, Russia and Slovenia joining Italy, while Group B is composed of Belgium, Portugal, Spain and the Ukraine. The Ukraine will have a chance for revenge against Spain after dropping a 2:1 decision at the 2001 UEFA Final in Moscow, Russia.

2003 UEFA Futsal Championship Groups, Schedule
Group A
Italy
Czech Republic
Russia
Slovenia

Group B
Spain
Belgium
Portugal
Ukraine

Feb. 17
Italy vs. Slovenia
Czech Republic vs. Russia
Spain vs. Portugal
Belgium vs. Ukraine

Feb. 18
Italy vs. Czech Republic
Slovenia vs. Russia
Spain vs. Belgium
Portugal vs. Ukraine

Feb. 20
Russia vs. Italy
Slovenia vs. Czech Republic
Ukraine vs. Spain
Portugal vs. Belgium

Feb. 22
Semifinals:
Winners Group A vs. Runners-up Group B
Winners Group B vs. Runners-up Group A

Feb. 24
Third Place: Semifinal Losers
Final: Semifinal Winners

NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA

EL SALVADOR POSTPONES HOME MATCHES AGAINST COSTA RICA
El Salvador's Futsal National Team postponed a two-game international friendly series against Costa Rica that was set for Dec. 21-22, 2002 in San Salvador. Due to technical problems from the host, the two matches have been rescheduled for sometime in February of 2003.

2003 FUTSAL CHALLENGE SET FOR ORLANDO IN JUNE
The 2003 Futsal Challenge will be held at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla from June 7-8. One of the few international futsal tournaments in the U.S., the event will be played in Disney's Milk House, a state-of-the-art indoor arena near Orlando. Age groups will include Under-10 through Under-19 (Boy's and Girl's) as well as Men's and Women's Open Categories. The competition is open to U.S. and International teams. The registration fee is $375.00 per team and each squad will play at least three 40-minutes matches with the rosters limited to only 12 players. For more information visit the tournament website at www.soccersensationsllc.com.

HANK STEINBRECHER JOINS U.S. FUTSAL NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Former U.S. Soccer Secretary General Hank Steinbrecher was named to the U.S. Futsal Federation's National Board of Directors on Dec. 23, 2002. "I am extremely please that Hank is joining the Board of Directors," said U.S. Futsal President & CEO Alex Para. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will help guide the board in the years to come." The 55-year-old Steinbrecher has had a life long relationship with soccer and the sport. During his tenure as Secretary General, U.S. Soccer experienced unparallel growth as he was responsible for all the respective men's and women's U.S National Teams, and the management of Federation's business affairs. Steinbrecher was also responsible for all aspects of managing a large non-profit organization with annual revenues in excess of $30,000,000. The Brooklyn, N.Y. Native served in senior leadership positions for the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and the FIFA Women's World Cup in 1999. He retired after 10 years at the helm and now is President of Touchline Consultants Inc., an international sports management and marketing consulting firm. An accomplished public speaker, Steinbrecher has addressed hundreds of domestic and international audiences at a variety of sports symposia. For more information check U.S. Futsal Federation website at www.futsal.com.

QUEBEC WINS THIRD STRAIGHT CANADA FUTSAL CUP
Team Québec won their third straight Canada Futsal Cup with a convincing 11:5 victory over Team Ontario in the championship match on Dec. 22, at the Centre Pierre-Charbonneau in Montréal. Forward Kyt Selaidopoulos, who is a member of Canada's Futsal National Team, led the offense for Québec with five goals. Other Canadian Futsal members Patrick Leduc and Roberto Sorella each scored twice, while Djamel Laarabi added a tally in the victory for Québec.

BOBBY MCAVAN REPLACES SEAN BOWERS AS BLAST HEAD COACH
The Baltimore Blast of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced on Dec. 9, that the team has named Bobby McAvan as head coach. The native of Dundee, Scotland, replaces Sean Bowers, who was named player/coach of the Blast on Nov. 7. Bowers, who is a member of the U.S. Futsal National Team since 1996, will continue to play for the Blast under McAvan. The 49-year-old McAvan joined the Blast organization in 1981 and has been a player, a member of the front office and the radio broadcast color analyst for the team. He saw action in 97 regular-season games, recording 10 goals and 16 assists as a defender. A member of the 1983-84 MISL Championship McAvan is also a Canadian citizen and represented Canada's Olympic and Pan American Teams in 1979 and 1980.

COSTA RICA GOES WINLESS IN TWO-GAME SERIES AGAINST MEXICO
Costa Rica's Futsal National Team went winless in a two-game international friendly series against Mexico from Dec. 6-7, at the Gimnasio Fishbein in Mexico City. Goals by midfielder Victor Huerta Leonardo Morales Figueroa and defender Carlos Ramirez Guerrero paced the host to a 3:1 victory over the visiting Ticos in the twin-bill opener on Dec. 6. Forward Carlos Chaves had the only goal for Costa Rica, who were playing their first international futsal match since the 2001 Tiger 5's in Singapore. The next day, both teams played to a 2:2 draw as Ramirez Guerrero and forward Francisco Ramirez Castaneda scored for the Tri-Colores, while midfielder Junior Rodriguez and forward Randolf Sanchez each notched a goal for the Ticos.

OCEANIA

AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL FUTSAL COMMISSION TO MEET IN JANUARY
Australia's National Futsal Commission (NFC) will be holding its next meeting on Jan. 14, 2003. The main items on the NFC agenda will be the appointment of the new Women's National Futsal Head Coach and the employment of the National Futsal Manager based at the Soccer Australia headquarters.

SOUTH AMERICA

BRAZIL PULLS OUT WIN OVER ARGENTINA
Brazil's Futsal National Team posted a 3:2 come-from-behind win over visiting Argentina in an international friendly at the Gimnasio Municipal in São Paolo on Dec. 15. The crowd of 7,000 saw Argentina take a 2:1 lead at halftime with tallies by forwards Sebastian Corazza and Diego Gonzále King. The Samba Kings turned the game around in the second half with goals by midfielder Clemilton and defender Falcão for the 3:2 victory.

DEPORCENTRO CASUARINAS CAPTURES THIRD CONSECUTIVE PERUVIAN FUTSAL LEAGUE TITLE
Deporcentro Casuarinas captured their third consecutive Peruvian Futsal League First Division after edging Deportivo Ingenieria by a point (47 - 46) in the overall 2002 final standings. Deporcentro Casuarinas, which won the 2000 and 2001 titles, finished on top of the 2002 table in Peru with a 15-2-1 overall ledger, while outscoring their opponents 146 - 33. For more information, check www.futsalperu.com.

2002 Peruvian Futsal League Final Standings
Teams (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
1. Deporcentro Casuarinas (18, 15-2-1, 146:33, 47)
2. Deportivo Ingenieria (18, 14-1-3, 96:52, 46)
3. La Sonora (18, 10-5-3, 85:61, 31)
4. ACJ (18, 8-9-1, 62:76, 26)
5. Juventud Almagro (18, 8-8-2, 57:76, 26)
6. Universidad Catolica (18, 8-9-1, 60:56, 25)
7. Rinconada Country Club (18, 7-9-2, 74:87, 25)
8. Atletico Inmaculada (18, 5-11-2, 51:74, 18)
9. U. San Ignacio de Loyola (18, 3-10-5, 52:88, 18)
10. UPC (18, 2-14-2, 58:122, 8)

PANAMERICAN FUTSAL CONFEDERATION FORMS ASOCIACIÓN MUNDIAL DE FUTSAL
At the Confederación Panamericana de Fútbol de Salón (Panamarican Futsal Confederation) International Congress Meetings held in Asuncion, Paraguay from Nov. 30 - Dec. 1, 2002, the ne Asociación Mundial de Futsal (World Futsal Association) was formed. Over 25 nations were represented in this historic event as several former members of FIFUSA (Federación Internacional de Fútbol de Salón) decided to join Panamerican Futsal Confederation's movement to create the World Futsal Assocation (WFA). As FIFUSA did, WFA will continue to have good relations with FIFA. The WFA's Executive Committee's first order of business was the naming of the Association's respective cabinet positions. Rolando Alarcón Ríos of Paraguay was selected as the WFA's first President, while Wilfredo Coffi (Netherlands Antilles), Giuseppe Caggiano (Italy), Keith Yorston (Australia), Luis Peña Niera (Spain) and Christian Prevost (Canada) were all named Vice-Presidents. Pedro Bonettini of Argentina was named General Secretary, while Dorian Guarist Justiniano of Bolivia is the WFA's Treasurer. Jaime Arroyabe (Colombia), Kurt Hartvedt (Norway) and Djamel Laarabi (Algeria) were tabbed as Directors, while José Luis Monges (Costa Rica) is the subsitute director. Carlos Briceño (Venezuela) and Gabriel Delmonte (Uruguay) are th afflifated associates, while Angel Provao (Spain), Lorenzo García (Mexico) and Julio Notario (Paraguay) are part of the Justice Commission. The WFA closed out the International Congress Meetings with the announcement of Paraguay as the venue for the 2003 World Championship with the dates and fixtures to be released on a later date. This competition, that is held every three years, will replace the previous tournament's done by FIFUSA from 1982-2000.

Previous FIFUSA (now WFA) World Championships
Year Venue Champion
1982 Sao Paulo, Brazil Brazil
1985 Madrid, Spain Brazil
1988 Melbourne, Australia Paraguay
1991 Milan, Italy Portugal
1994 Posadas, Argentina Argentina
1997 Mexico City, Mexico Venezuela
2000 La Paz, Bolivia Colombia

NOTE:
In 2003, "Futsal/Indoor Soccer World News" will be released every other Wednesday.

Information was researched and compiled by Steven Torres. Next issue will be sent on January 15, 2003