PRESS RELEASE

Networks agree to broadcast

(Bangkok, 3 Nov 03) – The Thailand 5s, Thailand’s first-ever International Futsal competition received a boost today after it was revealed that the matches would be available for viewing in Asia and outside Asia as well.

The 4-Nation event which is only the second major international Futsal event in Asia this year after the KL World 5s, will see participation by former World Champions, Brazil, European powerhouse, Russia, Asian giants, Japan and host nation Thailand.

Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Maricar Mohamed Iqbal, the Vice President of Krippe Worldwide said: “We have concluded deals with StarSports for Asia, Sports-i ESPN for Japan, SBS for Australia and currently looking to conclude deals with ESPN Brazil and possibly a few other networks in Latin America as well.

“It is our ambition to bring this top quality tournament to as many people in as many homes as possible. We are fortunate to have the likes of Brazil, Russia and Japan in this first edition of the Thailand 5s and the event and the sport itself can only benefit from the increased audience it gets.”

He added: “Futsal on television is here to stay. The continued exposure with top quality production it gets will elevate its brand equity. I personally believe that Futsal as a television sport has the potential to become the equivalent of NBA someday.

On events in Asia, he said: “Asia is made for Futsal success and Asia indeed will be the focus of the Futsal World come next year in Chinese Taipei for the FIFA Futsal World Cup.

“Events such as the KL World 5s and the Thailand 5s will increase’s Asia’s profile in the game and television networks all over will play a crucial role in being the platform for that to happen.”

The Football Association of Thailand in conjunction with Krippe Worldwide are hopeful of growing the event into an 8-team event next year and possibly making it the final stop before teams head to Chinese Taipei for the World Cup next year.

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PRESS RELEASE

International Futsal graces Thailand for the first time

(Bangkok, 1 Nov 03) – Thailand is the host of the next major Futsal event in Asia as the Thailand 5s, gears to take off.

Sanctioned by FIFA & AFC, the city of Bangkok is the chosen destination for this Futsal extravaganza, set to be held from 20th to 23rd November 2003.

World –class outfits, Brazil, Japan and Russia will join host nation Thailand to slug it out for the crown as the winner of the first-ever Thailand 5s.

All three teams are raring to go and Brazil and Russia have been first out of the blocks naming their side earlier on Monday.

After missing the team’s last visit to Asia for the KL World 5s, both Falcao and Fininho, the ‘Wizards of the Canarinhos’ are back in the Brazilian team due in the City of Angels.

Both players are technicians of the highest order in the game of Futsal and will bring with them plenty of class and quality to the Thailand 5s. Their presence along with the likes of wingers Pablo, Saad Assis and up and coming starlet Leandrinho will ensure that spectators will be assured of the best Futsal ever seen in Thailand.

Coach Fernando Ferretti’s last two visits to Asia have seen his side fall at the final hurdle and perhaps this will be third time lucky.

The adrenaline rush is also expected to be kept up by the stylish and dangerous Russians who are in a stage re-assembling the side with ambitions of World Cup glory next year. A good result at the Thailand 5s will certainly be a booster for the team who are expected to breeze through their first round of World Cup Qualifying from the 5th to 8th November against Macedonia and Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Russia though will be without the services of the inspirational Sergeui Malychev and Viatcheslav Moskalenko, both of whom are injured at the moment.

A loss of form has also robbed Serguei Ivanov his place in the team but the Russians are still expected to be a hugely entertaining and dangerous outfit with the likes of 36-year old Andrey Yudin, defender Nikolay Arefiev and pivot, Petr Kapkov.

Russia may be past the Eremenko-era but rest assured that they will be a battling side that will prove a stern test for Brazil, Japan and Thailand.

The Japanese are also expected to show a lot of steel and quality after a brave showing at the Pyramid Cup in Egypt recently, where coach Michito Harada opted to not bring stars, Takaaki Ichihara, Yuuki Kanayama and Osamu Nambata.

Even without the trip, Japan had some impressive matches and the 5-3 win over Belgium will certainly have rung some bells in the Futsal World.

Nambata, Ichihara and Kanayama are expected to be back for the Thailand 5s along with a former football star, Shinnosuke Kamimura.

Kamimura has been outstanding since his switch to Futsal recently and could well be the jewel in the side that already is shining with the likes of Yoshifumi Maeda, Kiyoshi Sagane and Kenta Fujii.

Japan are expected to come with a few surprises in the team (Kamimura could be one of them) and will be challenging to get a result at least against Russia and Thailand.

They have never played against the Russians and lost twice against Brazil.

Their record against the hosts, Thailand, is currently at 4 wins and 1 loss and they will be looking to improve that after a narrow escape at the AFC Championship semi-finals where they scrapped past with a Golden Goal Penalty by Maeda in the dying seconds.

Maeda and company can certainly expect nothing less than a ‘Battle Royale’ against the Thais once again in front of the home fans.

Thailand to their credit, have been in intensive training for the last one month, preparing for the competition under the supervision of former Argentinean coach Dr Vicente de Luise and Physical Fitness specialist, Professor Adrian Navarro.

Said team manager, Adisak Benjasiriwan: “We know what we are up against or at least we believe we do. This is the first time that the Thailand team will be playing against international opposition such as this here in Thailand and we hope to give a good account of ourselves right in front of our fans in our homeland.

“Brazil, Japan and Russia are World-Class teams. We are privileged to have this chance and while we will learn from them, we will also attempt to give them a run for their ambitions at the Thailand 5s. Nobody should under-estimate us.”

Thailand have been in a hurry to develop the sport in Thailand and the National Team’s efforts and good performances have not gone unnoticed by FIFa and the rest of the Futsal community, as they are currently ranked number three in Asia, after only a history of three years.

A good performance will certainly increase their equity value and develop commercial platforms for them in a country where football remains the dominant sport. But all that could be set for a change if the National Team continues its rapid progress and creates a stir yet again in the world of Futsal…and the next stop for that is definitely the Thailand 5s.

The Thailand 5s is organised by the Football Association of Thailand in conjunction with Krippe Worldwide.

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PRESS RELEASE

Brazil to arrive with their strongest side

(Bangkok, 29 Oct 03) – With less than 20 days to go for the grand kick off of the Thailand 5s, Thailand’s first-ever international Futsal Tournament, serious preparations are underway in the training camps of Brazil, Japan, Russia and Thailand as the teams bid to cover themselves in glory at this event.

Brazil, the former World Champions, are the first side to name their travelling party and the players assembled are literally amongst the biggest names in Brazilian Futsal.

Coach Fernando Ferretti, who is still looking for success on Asian soil after failures in Singapore (Tiger 5s) and Kuala Lumpur (KL World 5s), has put together a strong side that features several players who on their own are capable of winning matches for any team.

Included in the line-up are big names, Falcao and Fininho, (both missed the KL Word 5s) and also goalkeeping legend, Lavoisier who has more than a hundred caps under his belt for the national team.

Also in the team is the sorcerer of the flanks and one of the best players in the Futsal League in Brazil this year – Pablo.

Pablo has been a revelation since his introduction to the team and despite his diminutive size, he continues to carry a gargantuan threat down the flanks for any opposition as he showed against teams at the KL World 5s.

Argentinean coach Fernando Larranaga at the KL World 5s, earlier this year, described Pablo as ‘almost impossible to replace’ and also as ‘the main threat’ of the Canarinhos. Understandably why.

His pacy quick-turns and twists often leave defenders dumbfounded and together with Falcao and Fininho, the trio have the ability to destroy any opposition at will. And this will be certainly warning to the other teams here.

There is also a return of sorts for Saad ‘Saadji’ Assis, the tricky flanker who last played for the National Team in 1999 under former coach Takao. His quick-thinking and wizardry will be a thrill to watch and he will certainly add to the quality and strength of this Brazil Team. Brought in to replace the equally brilliant Marquinho, after the latter’s departure to Spain in 1998, Saad is an irrepressible talent who really will be a handful for the Japanese, Russians and the Thais.

Brazil, though will be missing two key players, absent through injuries.

Neto, the cool head in defence and striking sensation, Tatu are out of the side after injuries in recent matches robbed them of their places in the team.

Both players are expected to rejoin this team as Brazil plots its way to next year’s World Cup in Chinese Taipei.

Other players to look out for in this side are the young and elegant Leandrinho, the strong James in defence and pivot, Indio, who is set to take on the mantle of replacing world Player of the Year, Manuel Tobias in the long run.

Brazil, whilst having been installed as the favourites for the crown here in Bangkok, will still have their work cut against Russia, Japan and Thailand. All three sides have their own agenda at this tournament and this includes winning the first-ever Thailand 5s.

The Brazilian Team:

Goalkeepers:
Lavoisier (ACBF)
Franklin (Malwee / Jaraguá)

Flanks:
Pablo (ACBF)
Fininho (ACBF)
Falcão (Malwee / Jaraguá)
Xoxo (Malwee / Jaraguá)
Júnior (Malwee / Jaraguá)
Saad (ECB / São Bernardo)
Leandrinho (Palmeiras / Osasco)

Defenders:
Carlinhos (ACBF)
James (Malwee / Jaraguá)

Pivot:
Índio (ACBF)

Coach:
Fernando Ferretti