Courtesy FA.com


Cyprus stop England

By Dermot Collins. Friday, 09 January 2004.

England's attempt to qualify for the UEFA Futsal Championship ended in disappointment last night with a 4-8 defeat to Cyprus at the Flamurtari Indoor Stadium in Vlora.
After an encouraging performance against Albania the previous evening, England came into this match hopeful of achieving a result against a Cyprus team seeking to reach the UEFA Finals for the third time.

England's evening started disastrously when they conceded two goals in the first two minutes. Worksop's Ben Walker pulled one back for England with a firm volley, but this was one of the few chances to cheer the Three lions during a first half that saw them fail to create any more opportunities against a well-oiled Cypriot defence, while at the other end Cyprus were clinical. By half-time, England were 6-1 down.

After the break though, England began to unnerve the Cyprus rearguard and were rewarded when Alex Sykes smashed home a penalty following a trip on Brendan Gallen. However, despite dominating possession, England still displayed their defensive frailties as a further two goals wounded them further.

With just pride at stake now for England, playing in only their second UEFA international, a late rally rewarded them with two consolation efforts. Firstly Walker let rip for his second of the game before captain Dan Wood volleyed in from close range to give England a second-half, 3-2 victory, and a more respectable 8-4 look to the score line.

Cyprus will now play Albania in the deciding match for the right to go to the finals.

Though disappointed by the early exit from their debut competition, England began to come to terms with a code of the beautiful game that is well established around the world. There is enormous potential to develop the game in England and the team depart with considerable optimism for the future.