Dell's England given lesson in Futsal

Graeme Dell's Futsal Team England received another lesson in the art of European Futsal, this time by the novices of Benny Meurs young Belgian Squad. Right from the outset the Belgians surged forward using Futsal triangles to pierce open the England defence, Neukermans hitting the post within seconds of the starting whistle.
A barrage ensued with Graham Smith, an outstanding talent, saving English blushes time and time again.
It was not long before Karim Bachar opened the scoreline for Belgium with a beautifully worked two on one move. Using intricate Futsal formations, crossovers and dummy runs, the Belgians were 3-0 ahead as the Small crowd of no more than 150 were treated to some exceptional play.
It was soon clear that Team England were a side used to football rather than Futsal, preferring to employ the British Bulldog grit and determination to attack the opposition. It took over 14 minutes for the first shot on target to come from Team England, with Mark Simmons forcing a good save from the Belgian keeper.
With 60 seconds remaining on the clock Louis Axcell, England number 6, stepped up to take the game's only penalty, awarded after the accumulated foul rule. Unfortunately for England the chance to register a score was missed.
After the half time break, and with Trevor Brooking in the crowd, Team England were again forced on to the back foot. Within six seconds Smith was again in action, saving from Belgian Chaibai. With a minute and a half into the second half Neukermans added to the Belgian tally and it could have been several more as the Belgians stepped a gear, hitting the post and crossbar three times in succession.
Dell's inexperienced England squad were shown to be tactically inept as the European flair began to tell. It was over ten minutes before the English were able to cross the half way line, and only then to be caught on the counter attack as a scramble ensued on the England goal line.
It was Neukermans again that struck the fifth in the fourteenth minute with a beautiful toe-punt, a skill typical to Futsal.
Several set pieces once again combined with deft touch and unselfish team work to rattle off two more goals leaving a resounding 7:0 victory for the visitors.

by Adrian Wilson