Courtesy: Oldham Athletic Official Web Site


Latics Futsal denied Euro shot

This Saturday is a big one for the recently-formed Oldham Athletic Futsal team, set up by Oldham Athletic Community Trust.

Latics' newly-established Futsal side narrowly missed out on qualifying from the regional heats of the FA Umbro Futsal Cup, held last weekend.

James Mwale's side got off to a great start, romping through their first two games with two victories at the Hillsborough Sports Centre, Sheffield.

Latics were tasked with beating one of the UK's best Futsal outfits - Loughborough - to progress and were unlucky to be eliminated on goal difference following a 0-0 draw.

Mwale's men soaked up the pressure from their more experienced opponents and struck back in the closing stages, but they just couldn't find a finish in a tense finale.

But all involved with Latics Futsal described the experience as 'valuable' as they look ahead to more success in the north west in 2009/10.

A club spokesman said: "The lads were unbeaten across the tournament and will certainly kick off the new season as a force to be reckoned with. They are learning all the time." OAFC Futsal already have an England international and two Portuguese experts in their ranks - are you interested in joining them as part of the team in the future?

If so, contact James via email at james.mwale@oldhamathleticct.org. Futsal is officially the world's fastest-growing indoor sport. England has a national team funded by the FA who recently finished second in their European Qualifying group.

What is Futsal?
Established back in 1930, Futsal is a variant of 5-a-side football which places much more emphasis on technique. Played across two 20-minute halves, the game is played with a size 4 football modified to produce considerably less bounce. Up to seven substitutes are allowed and throw-ins are replaced with kick-ins.  Click here to find out more about Futsal.






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