Courtesy: Futsal England

Dell's England team suffer another defeat

France 5-2 England

08 March 2005

An enthusiastic crowd of 1200 turned out at the impressive Palacium Arena in Villeneuve D’Ascq, France, to see the home side inflict yet another defeat upon the English national Futsal team.

Whilst beginning positively, as to be expected from the new look England, France remained unperturbed as their goalmouth never looked like being threatened.

With Marc Canham being the single exception the English team, not for the first time were at a loss as to how to make possession count. Their usual defensive formation whilst ensuring damage limitation, seldom looked like being anything other than that. Dermot Collins, the game’s guardian in the UK, thought as much, commenting that….”Futsal seldom rewards teams that fail to take their opportunities….”.

The French, under the watchful eye of Pierre Jacky, are developing fast and with quality players such as Aissa yahia Bey and Jean Paul Marna, whom both scored twice; Jacky believes that it will not be long before France starts making an impression on the International Futsal scene. “ The match against England was our third this season, following on from Romania and Belarus. This win confirms our merited progress….the match against Romania will be different as they posses players competing in a professional league back home, however, it is all a learning curve”.

Graeme Dell was unavailable for comment.

For England, the five-foul/penalty rule is still causing a problem and one, which they are going to have to adapt to if they are to succeed. Teams that play Futsal often are instantly aware of novice players and it is a shame that naivety and lack of Futsal knowledge is hindering their progress.

Jackson, covering for the injured and highly regarded Smith, showed why he has stepped in to cover the goalmouth, with some excellent shot stopping. With more performances like this it will be no surprise to see him don the three lions in the future.

England will now play Finland in a third/forth play-off, following the laters’ narrow defeat against the favoured Romanians.

Henry de la Cruz
for Futsal England