Courtesy: FAI.ie


Zambra eyes Irish UEFA Futsal success

Thursday, 20 January 2011

The Republic of Ireland kick off their UEFA Futsal Championship 2012 qualifying campaign against Andorra tonight (Thursday January 20 kick-off 20.00) and follow with games against Norway (Friday January 21 kick-off 20.00) and Israel (Sunday January 23 kick-off 20.00).

The squad is made up primarily of players from the Emerald Futsal League which has just completed a successful second season with Shamrock Rovers being crowned champions. Unsurprisingly, the predominant representation of players comes from that Rovers squad with no fewer than seven of the fourteen squad places being secured by the club.

Speaking ahead of the tournament, Ross Zambra, Wayside Celtic and Sporting Fingal Futsal star said, "I'm really excited about this tournament and have been thinking about it for weeks. I really can't wait for the game to start. My family and friends will all be there and it means everything to get the chance to represent my country.

"The first game is always very important and we expect Andorra to be very difficult opponents. Most of the lads in the squad played against them at under-21 level in 2007 and we lost that game 2-1. The lads told me that Andorra are technically very good and as most of their players grew up playing futsal, they do have that playing experience behind them.

"We're going into the qualifiers looking to qualify for the main qualifying round for the first time and there is a lot of belief in the squad that we can do it.

"I was part of the Sporting Fingal squad that progressed through the Preliminary Round of the UEFA Futsal Cup at club level last summer and I know that we are capable of doing just as well on the international stage.

"I've played futsal for the past two and a half years and I've learned so much about the game. The tactical element is something that took getting used to and many people who haven't played it probably think it is just indoor football but the subtle differences are what decides games. It's not just about who has the most skilful players but the ones who are mentally strongest. One mistake is so costly in futsal and concentration will be the most important thing for all of us this week."


Republic of Ireland Futsal Squad

1. John Somers (Shamrock Rovers Futsal)
2. Mark Langtry (Sporting Fingal Futsal / UCD)
3. Ian Byrne (Shamrock Rovers Futsal)
4. Philip McDonagh (Shamrock Rovers Futsal / Drumcondra FC)
5. Ross Zambra (Sporting Fingal Futsal / Wayside Celtic)
6. Dane Massey (Bray Wanderers FC)
7. Lloyd Massey (Blue Magic Futsal)
8. Alan McCabe (AUL Futsal / Sherriff CY)
9. Alan Lynch (Shamrock Rovers Futsal)
10. Jack Doyle (Shamrock Rovers Futsal)
11. Ian Carry (Sporting Fingal Futsal)
12. Tony Kane (AUL Futsal / Sherriff CY)
13. Cian McDonald (Shamrock Rovers Futsal)
14. Brendan Dawson (Shamrock Rovers Futsal)


Fixtures:

Thursday, January 20 2011
Israel v Norway
Kick-off: 17.30
Republic of Ireland v Andorra
Kick-off: 20.00

Friday, January 21 2011
Andorra v Israel
Kick-off: 17.30
Republic of Ireland v Norway
Kick-off: 20.00

Sunday, January 23 2011
Norway v Andorra
Kick-off: 17.30
Israel v Republic of Ireland
Kick-off: 20.00


Entry for supporters is free of charge.


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