Extract from a larger article published on the Bangkok Post


Courtesy: Bangkok Post

Meanwhile, Thailand's national futsal (five-a-side) team finished last in the Thaialnd 5s tournament in Udon Thani last week.

The four-team round-robin tournament also featured world No 7 Argentina, Iran and Uzbekistan.

Thailand got off to an unconvincing start when they lost 4-1 to Argentina. After the defeat, Thailand's Spanish coach Jose Maria Mendez, who is affectionately called Pulpis, said his players felt rusty because they had not played in an international tournament for six months.

Thailand were edged 4-3 by Iran in their second match although the hosts took a 2-1. They then beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their final match.

Although Thailand, Uzbekistan and Argentina all had three points, the Thais finished last because their inferior goal difference.

Uzbekistan will host the Asian Futsal Championship next month and I am sure that they will be able to beat Thailand if they meet in the tournament.

Thailand manager Adisak Benjasiriwan wants Thailand to replace Iran as Asia's No 1. But judging from the Thais' performance in Udon Thani, there is still a long way to go for Thailand to dethrone the Iranians.

The Asian Championship is only one month away and Pulpis must work harder to push his men to another level before the event.

Thailand also aim to get past the preliminary stage of the Fifa Futsal World Cup in 2012 on their home soil.

Thailand have reached the World Cup finals three times in 2000, 2004 and 2008 but have not yet advanced past the group phase.

With home-field advantage, Thailand have a good chance of progressing past the first round at the 2012 World Cup.


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