CABORN TIPS FUTSAL FOR SUCCESS

Sports Minister Richard Caborn believes Futsal can pave the way for the English national football team to rule the world.

Mr Caborn MP attended the FA National Futsal Finals in Sheffield on Sunday (June 20) and was impressed with the quality of the game.

Futsal is FIFA's official version of five-a-side football which is taking the country by storm. The skilful game is proving popular with youngsters, who learn to develop close ball control and technique.

Players such as Luis Figo, Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos all played Futsal as youngsters and Mr Caborn MP believes the game can help England produce the world's best players.

He said: "This was the first time I have witnessed Futsal and I was very impressed with it. It's a very fast, entertaining and skilful game of football, with the action moving at a fierce pace.

"If young players are introduced to this at an early age, then I think it can only be beneficial to England producing some fantastic talent. Countries such as Brazil and Italy have already shown what a success it can be."

London-based Team USSR won the prestigious tournament at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield and will be England's representatives in the 2005 UEFA Futsal Cup.

Mr Caborn MP marked the finals' first appearance in Sheffield by presenting the winning trophy to Team USSR, who beat Tranmere Victoria in the final.
Santos finished third, while former champions Sheffield Hallam were fourth.

Former players of Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United also made an appearance at the finals with an exhibition match between the two teams.

The Blades clinched a 5-2 victory, with United's Peter Duffield winning the man of the match award.

Wednesday's line-up included Jon Newsome, Bob Bolder, Imre Varadi, Charlie Williamson, Wayne Collins and Lawrie Madden. While Paul Beesley, Glyn Hodges, Tom Cowan, Chris Wilder, Adam Burley and Jamie Holmshaw completed the United side.