Futsal/Indoor Soccer World News
January 29, 2003

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

AFRICA

EGYPT WITHDRAWS BID TO STAGE FUTSAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Egypt withdrew their bid to host the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship, as they were not one of the six national associations that confirmed their interest in staging the event before the end-of-the-year deadline of 2002. Egypt, which recently hosted the international futsal tournament called the Pyramids Cup, will
concentrate resources in organizing the 2006 African Nations Cup (outdoor national teams) and a bid to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

ASIA

SHAMSAEE’S FOUR TALLIES EARNS IRAN 5:5 TIE AGAINST ITALY
Four goals by forward Vahid Shamsaee led Iran’s Futsal National Team to a 5:5 draw in the final match of a two-game international friendly series against visiting Italy in Tehran on Jan. 15. The crowd of 12,000 at the Azadi Sport Complex saw Italy take a 4:1 lead over Iran with three tallies by midfielders Nando Darley Grana and one by Vinicius Lona in the early minutes of the second half. Shamsaee paced the Iranian comeback scoring four times in a 10-minute span (26th to 36th) to give the host a 5:4 edge over Italy. With three minutes remaining in the match, Italy equalized with a goal by forward Oliveira Morgado for the 5:5 final. In the opener of the series, Italy and Iran played to a 3:3 tie at the Azadi Sport Complex on Jan. 14. Italy took a 3:0 lead early in the second half with tallies by Morgado, midfielder Daverson Franzoi and defender Marcio Moratelli. Shamsaee got Iran on the board with a goal in the 26th minute of the second half for a 3:1 score. After an Italian own goal that made it 3:2, the Iranians leveled the score with nine minutes remaining with a tally by midfielder Kasem Mohammadi for the 3:3 final.

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. 14-24, 2003. Charleroi, Belgium will host the Group A, from Mar. 18-21, that includes 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 for Group B from Mar. 21-24, 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)

2003 UEFA CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE SET
The final 2003 UEFA Futsal Championship schedule is set, as the bi-annual tournament will take place in Aversa and Caserta, Italy from Feb. 17-24, 2003. The eight-team competition will have two 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 in the nightcap. Group A, that will be played in Aversa, has Czech Republic, Russia and Slovenia joining Italy, while Group B is composed of Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine and will have Caserta as the venue.

2003 UEFA Futsal Championship Groups, Schedule

Group A (Aversa)
Italy
Czech Republic
Russia
Slovenia

Group B (Caserta)
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
Final: Semifinal Winners

UEFA SELECTS OFFICIALS FOR 2003 EURO CHAMPIONSHIP
UEFA has named 12 referees to officiate the 2003 European Futsal Championships in Italy from Feb. 17-24. Of the 12 selected only Pedro Angel Galan Nieto of Spain and Ivan Novak of Croatia officiated at the 2000 FIFA World Championship held in Guatemala.

2003 UEFA Futsal Championship Officials
Anton Averianov (RUS
Massimo Cumbo (ITA)
Andres Demtriou (CYP)
Antonio Jose Fernandes Cardoso (POR)
Jyrki Filppu (FIN)
Pedro Angel Galan Nieto (ESP)
Zbigniew Kosmala (POL)
Radek Lobo (CZE)
Ivan Novak (CRO)
Károly Torok (HUN)
Victor Van Hel Voirt (HOL)
Patrick Willemarch (BEL)

BELGIUM TO FACE HUNGARY IN TWIN-BILL
In preparations for the 2003 UEFA Championship, Belgium’s Futsal National Team will host Hungary in a twin-bill from Feb. 4-5. Andenne will be the site for the opener set for Feb. 4, while the second game will take place in Antwerpen the next day. Belgium is coming off a 3:3 draw with Holland on Jan. 14, while Hungary dropped back-to-back matches (5:2, 5:3) to Portugal on Jan. 7-8. The last time these two teams met was on Nov. 11, 2001 in Val de Marne, France as Belgium posted a 2:1 victory over Hungary.

FUTSAL PLANET.COM TO ANNOUNCE “2002 WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR”
Futsal Planet’s website (www.futsalplanet.com) will announce the “2002 World Player of the Year” on Feb. 1, 2003. For a third consecutive year, almost 100 Futsal experts (Coaches, Federation Presidents, Journalists, Press Officers, etc.) from around the world voted to select the best player in the world. The voting process featured 10 points for the first player on the ballot, while the second gets seven. The third pick received five points, while the fourth and fifth players each got three and one point respectively. The “2001 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 Award went to Manuel Tobias in 2000.

PORTUGAL TAKES TWO FROM HOLLAND
Portugal’s Futsal National Team extended their winning streak to seven international matches as they swept host Holland in a pair of friendlies from Jan. 27-28. Two goals by midfielder Arnaldo and one each by teammates Pedro Costa and Joel paced Portugal to a 4:3 victory over Holland on Jan. 28, in Wijchen. The day before, Arnaldo scored twice and forward Gonçalo added another two as Portugal took the opener of the series 4:2 in Hilversum. Portugal will put the winning streak on the line as they meet defending champions Spain in the first round Group B match of the 2003 UEFA tournament on Feb. 17, in Caserta, Italy.

SPANISH COACH SELECTS SQUAD FOR UEFA CHAMPIONSHIPS
Spain’s Futsal National Team Head Coach Javier Lozano has selected 20 players on Jan. 27, for the 2003 UEFA Championship next month. Of the 20, Lozano will name 14 as the official roster, as the current FIFA World Champions will also be looking to win back-to-back European titles. Prior to the UEFA tournament, Spain will host the Czech Republic in a pair of friendlies from Feb. 3-4. The first encounter will take place in Ponferrada on Feb. 3, while Aranda del Duero will be the venue of the second match the following day.

Spain’s Roster (Club)
Goalkeepers – Luis Amado (Antena Boomerang), Sergio (El Pozo Murcia Turística), Rafa (Valencia Vijusa), Toni (Playas de Castellón)

Defenders – Adeva (Caja Segovia), Julio (Antena Boomerang), Kike (ElPozo Murcia Turística), Torras (FC Barcelona)

Midfielders – Álvaro (Caja Segovia), Andreu (Antena Boomerang), Cobeta (Caja Segovia), Daniel (Antena Boomerang), Joan (Antena Boomerang), Orol (Antena Boomerang), Óscar Redondo (Miró Martorell), Javi Rodríguez (Playas de Castellón)

Forwards – Edesio (El Pozo Murcia Turística), Cogorro (Atlético Boadilla), Javi Sánchez (Playas de Castellón), Merino (Atlético Boadilla)

Coach – Javier Lozano

BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA STUNS SLOVENIA
Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Futsal National Team stunned visiting Slovenia 6:3 in an international friendly on Jan. 26, in Bihac. Slovenia, which eliminated Armenia, Greece and Holland for a berth to the 2003 UEFA Futsal Championship, could not recover after falling behind 3:0 at the half to the host.

FIFA

RECORD SIX ASSOCIATIONS BID TO HOST FIFTH FIFA FUTSAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2004
A recorded six national associations have officially confirmed their interest in hosting the fifth FIFA Futsal World Championship slated for 2004. Australia, Bahrain, Chinese Taipei, Iran, Paraguay and Thailand affirmed their candidacy before the end-of-the-year deadline of 2002. The six associations have until Feb. 1, to submit bid documentation along with the signed Organization Association Agreement to FIFA before a final decision is made regarding the host nation at the Executive Committee on Mar. 6. The previous four FIFA Futsal World Championships have been held in the Holland (1989), Hong Kong (1992), Spain (1996) and Guatemala (2000). Brazil won the first three competitions, with Spain claiming the title in 2000.

NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA

U.S. COACH, FORMER AMERICAN STRIKER AT HELM OF NEW OUTDOOR FRANCHISE
Major Indoor Soccer League’s (MISL) Milwaukee Wave announced on Jan. 23, that it has acquired an A-League (outdoor) franchise from the United Soccer Leagues as Milwaukee Wave United replaces the now-defunct Milwaukee Rampage for the upcoming 2003 campaign. U.S. Futsal National Team/Milwaukee Wave (MISL) Head Coach Keith Tozer was named the team’s new general manager, while Tozer’s Assistant Coach Art Kramer will be at helm of Wave United. Kramer, who brings a wealth of experience to the position, was a striker for the U.S. Five-A-Side (now Futsal) Team in 1987, scoring three goals in four international matches. The St. Louis, Missouri Native previously coached the 1996-97 season with the National Professional Soccer League's Toronto Shooting Stars.

COSTA RICAN COACH UNVEILS PLAYER POOL FOR 2003
Costa Rica’s Futsal National Team Head Coach Carlos Quirós Alvarez unveiled a player pool of 18 for 2003. The majority selected (10) come from the current Costa Rican champions Desamparados, while seven competed with the Ticos at the 2000 FIFA Futsal World Championship held in Guatemala. As Costa Rica prepares for the CONCACAF qualification tournament and a possible berth to the 2004 World Championship, Quirós will announce his final player pool list in July.

Costa Rica’s Player Pool (Club)
Goalkeepers – Javier Alfaro (Desamparados), Héctor Fonseca (Fuerza y Luz), Randall Salas (Desamparados), José Luis Garro (Juventud Olímpica/Barrio Peralta)

Defenders – Erick Arce (Desamparados), Ricardo Juárez (Desamparados), José Picado (Trinidad de Moravia F.S.), Jhonny Rodríguez (Juventud Olímpica/Barrio Peralta)

Midfielders – Jasón Arce (Juventud Olímpica/Barrio Peralta), Michael Barrantes (Fuerza y Luz), Freddy Espinoza (Desamparados), Marvin Marín (Juventud Olímpica/Barrio Peralta), Esteban Naranjo (Desamparados), Randolph Sánchez (Desamparados), Henry Valverde (Desamparados)

Forwards – Carlos Chávez (Juventud Olímpica/Barrio Peralta), Yanán Montoya (Desamparados), Junior Rodríguez (Desamparados)

Coach – Carlos Quirós Alvarez

OCEANIA

SOCCER AUSTRALIA NAMES RICHARD LITTLER WOMEN'S FUTSAL COACH
Soccer Australia named Richard Littler the new Women’s Futsal National Team Head Coach during a Futsal Commission meeting held during the annual national championships in Sydney from Jan. 14-19. Littler’s first task is to prepare the team for a multi-nation tournament to be held in Italy in June. Of the 19 women selected by Littler in the player pool only 10 will make the final Australian roster for the tour.

Australian Women’s Player Pool (Futsal Association)
Jade Banks (Queensland), Jill Crocker (ACT), Racquel DeConte (Victoria), Chrystal Dean (NSW), Emma Kate Dewhurst (NSW), Gemma Etherington (Victoria), Zoe Gamble (NSW), Jodie Hammond (Queensland), Katie Maryvale (NSW), Gill McMaster (Queensland), Leanne Mills (ACT), Dimitri Poulos (NSW), Amanda Riley (ACT), Samantha Riley (ACT), Taryn Riley (ACT), Belinda Sears (NSW), Maria Triantafilou (ACT), Jenny Wallis (Queensland), Joanne Williams (NSW)
Coach – Richard Littler

2003 AUSTRALIAN FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP HELD IN SYDNEY
The 2003 Australian Futsal National Championships were held in Sydney, as a total of 91 state teams competed in male and female age categories from Jan. 14-19. Opened by Soccer Australia Chairman Remo Nogarotto, and National Futsal Commission Chairman Joe Brondolino, the event also featured teams from New Zealand and the Solomon Islands. The next edition of the Australian Futsal National Championships will take place in January of 2004.

2003 Australian Futsal National Championships
Categories - Winners
State Boys 10 - ACT Gold
State Boys 11 - NSW Waratahs
Club Boys 12 - Solomon Islands
State Boys 12 - NSW Waratahs
State Girls 12 - ACT Gold
State Boys 13 - South Australia
State Girls 13 - NSW Waratahs
Club Boys 14 - KNVB Lions
State Boys 14 - NSW Blues
State Girls 14 - ACT Gold
Club Boys 15 - Raptors
State Boys 15 - NSW Waratahs
State Girls 15 - ACT
Club Boys 16 - Livo Boys
State Boys 16 - ACT Gold
State Girls 16 - NSW Blues
Club Youth Men - Livo Boys
State Youth Men - Victoria
Club Men - Supercats
State Men - ACT Gold
Club Women - Wanderers
State Women - NSW Waratahs

SOUTH AMERICA

BRAZIL HAMMERS JAPAN
Brazil’s Futsal National Team continued where they left off last year as they extended their winning streak to 17 international matches with an 8:1 home victory over Japan at the Ginasio Poliesportivo in Sao Bernardo do Campo on Jan. 19. Three tallies by forward Betão and two each by midfielder Manoel Tobias and forward Leitão led the Samba Kings to the victory. The last time Brazil lost an international futsal match was a 4:3 sudden-death road defeat to current FIFA World Champion Spain on Mar. 31, 2002 Torrejón de Ardoz.

BEACH SOCCER

IX BEACH SOCCER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TO TAKE PLACE IN BRAZIL
The IX Beach Soccer World Championships will take place at the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from Feb. 16-23. Eight nations were divided into two groups of four with the defending champion Brazil earning the number one seed in Group A, while 2001 champion Portugal took the top spot in Group B. After the conclusion of round-robin play, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on Feb. 22. The winners will square off for the championship on Feb. 23, while the semifinal losers will play in the third-place consolation match earlier in the day. Brazil captured the VIII Beach Soccer World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, after topping the Portugal in the finals 6:5 on Jan. 20, 2002.

IX Beach Soccer World Championship
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Feb. 16-23, 2003

Group A
Brazil
Spain
USA
Italy

Group B
Portugal
Uruguay
France
Japan

Feb. 16
Brazil vs. Spain

Feb. 18
Spain vs. USA
Uruguay vs. Japan
Portugal vs. France
Brazil vs. Italy

Feb. 19
France vs. Uruguay
USA vs. Italy
Portugal vs. Japan

Feb. 20
Japan vs. France
Italy vs. Spain
Portugal vs. Uruguay
Brazil vs. USA

Feb. 22
Semifinals
Group A Winner vs. Group B Runner-up
Group B Winner vs. Group A Runner-up

Feb. 23
Third Place – Semifinal Losers
Final – Semifinal Winners

Information was researched and compiled by Steven Torres. Next issue will be sent on February 12, 2003