Courtesy: Malay Mail On line

Futsal: Thousands expected

by GHAZ RAMLI

Nov 22

The inaugural National Futsal League starting on Dec 3 is expected to attract about 80,000 fans nationwide.

According to a working paper by the league’s sanctioning body, the FA of Malaysia (FAM), it is estimated that every match will see an average of 300 fans in attendance.

Forty-two teams from 12 States will be divided into four zones: Northern, Central, Southern and Eastern.

The Central Zone comprises Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Royal Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Government Servants Welfare and Sports Council (Maksak), Malaysian Universities Sports Council (Ma- sum), Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) and Melayu Malaysia.

Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Johor (who are sending three teams) are in the Southern Zone, while Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang (two teams) will make up the Eastern Zone.

The Northern Zone consists of Perlis, Penang (two teams) and Kedah (three teams).

A total of 66 matches will be played in each zone in the first phase of the tournament.

Matches will be played on Sundays at Sports Planet Ampang for the Central Zone, Sports Planet Penang (Northern Zone), Sukpa, Kuantan (Eastern Zone), and at Johor Baru City Hall (Southern Zone).

The four top clubs from each zone will qualify for the second phase, which is the National Club Championship (NCC).

The 16 sides which qualify for the NCC will be divided into four groups of four teams each.

The top two sides in each group will qualify for the quarter-finals.

THE ZONES:

Central Zone: Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Royal Malaysian Armed Forces, Royal Malaysian Police, Malaysian Government Servants Welfare and Sports Council (Maksak), Malaysian Universities Sports Council (Masum), Malaysian Schools Sports Council (MSSM) and Melayu Malaysia.

Southern Zone: Malacca, Negri Sembilan and Johor (three teams)

Eastern Zone: Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang (two teams).

Northern Zone: Perlis, Penang (two teams) and Kedah (three teams).



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com