Courtesy: FIFA.com


Futsal's finest battle for world crown

(FIFA.com) 06 Apr 2006

Six top-class futsal teams are to compete in the ninth edition of the Intercontinental Cup between 6 and 9 April in the Brazilian city of Brusque. Spain's Boomerang Interviu, the reigning champions, have been drawn in Group B along with Japanese side Predator and Brazil's Carlos Barbosa, while Group A sees last year's beaten finalists Malwee/Jaragua of Brazil pitted against US outfit ServCorp and Paraguay's Universidad Autonoma de Asuncion. The winners of each group will face off in the tournament's grand final.
The holders will be looking for a good start when they kick off their title defence against Predator, coached by 27-year-old Toru Kitano. The Spaniards might the tie as favourites, question marks surround how they'll adapt to the Brazilian climate and the draining effects of trans-Atlantic travel. There will certainly be precious little time to take a breather, with Boomerang currently competing for honours on three separate fronts. Their Intercontinental Cup bid may take precedence at the moment, but the Spanish side are also chasing their domestic league title and have reached the final of the UEFA Futsal Cup.

For his part, Boomerang coach Jesus Candelas feels his side's sternest challenge could come from Carlos Barbosa in their second group game. "They are in the midst of reshaping and rebuilding their side, and have moved quickly to sign some of Brazil's hottest young talents," said Candelas. "This game could define the outcome of the tournament, given that they are fully capable of making life difficult for us."

The defending champions arrive in Brazil on the back of a painful 6-1 league defeat at the hands of Azkar Lugo, leaving Candelas and his players doubly determined to put this aberration behind them and demonstrate their true class. The manager is certainly aiming high, and made no secret of the fact that his side's goal will be "to win the tournament and prove to the fantastic Brazilian fans that Spain are not only the best at international level, but at club level too".

Carlos Barbosa, meanwhile, the team Candelas fears most, are keen to repeat their success of two years ago on Spanish soil and reclaim this prestigious trophy. And the Brazilians certainly arrive in great form, with coach Juninho overseeing delighted with the quality of football produced in the 4-1 friendly win over Tres Coroas Futsal last week.

South American grudge match
In Group A, Malwee/Jaragua have kept hold of the nucleus of the side that came up just short against Boomerang in last year's final. Star man and FIFA World Futsal Player of the Year, Falcao continues to steal the show, and he'll be aiming to add to his top scorer and best player awards from the FIFA Futsal World Championship Chinese Taipei 2004.

The Brazilian outfit face US Champions ServCorp in their first game, this before taking on familiar foes Universidad Autonoma de Asuncion. The Paraguayan side have proved worthy ambassadors for their country's futsal league, reaching February's Copa Libertadores final, where they succumbed to Malwee.

Autonoma, who arrived in Brazil earlier this week to allow themselves to adapt to their new surroundings, took advantage of their free time to spy on Malwee's friendly game against youth side Cestao. "We're aware that it's going to be a difficult tournament acknowledged coach Juan Carlos Orihuela, who will be looking to help Universidad gain revenge for their Copa Libertadores defeat. "There's no doubt that the big favourites are Boomerang Interviu, Carlos Barbosa and Malwee/Jaragua, but we mustn't underestimate the other teams who are all champions of their respective leagues. The world finest sides will all be here,"

Last but not least in Group A are US side ServCorp, who hail from the city of Provo (Utah). With Brazilian coach Rubens Fernandez, aka 'Rubinho', at the helm and several of his compatriots in the squad, ServCorp are confident of putting a few noses out of joint in Brusque. The Americans earned their ticket to the Intercontinental trophy with a 4-2 win over World United in the final of the USA's Futsal National Championship.

9th Intercontinental Cup
6-9 April 2006. Arena Multiusos, Brusque, Santa Catarina (Brazil)

Group A
Malwee/Jaragua (BRA)
Universidad Autonoma de Asuncion (PAR)
ServCorp F.C. (USA)

Group B
Boomerang Interviu (ESP)
Carlos Barbosa (BRA)
Predator (JAP)

FIXTURES
6/4/2006
Boomerang Interviu - Predator
Malwee/Jaragua - ServCorp
7/4/2006
UAA - ServCorp
Carlos Barbosa - Predator
8/4/2006
Carlos Barbosa - Boomerang Interviu
Malwee/Jaragua - UAA

9/4/2006
5th-place play-off: 3rd Group A - 3rd Group B
3rd-place play-off: 2nd Group B - 2nd Group A

FINAL
1st Group A - 1st Group B


Previous Winners
1997 - Moscow (Russia) - Dinamo Moskva (Russia)
1998 - Moscow (Russia) - Atletico/Pax de Minas (Brazil)
1999 - Moscow (Russia) - Ulbra Claro Digital (Brazil)
2000 - Moscow (Russia) - Caja Segovia (Spain)
2001 - Moscow (Russia) - Ulbra Claro Digital (Brazil)
2004 - Barcelona (Spain) - Carlos Barbosa (Brazil)
2005 - Puertollano (Spain) - Boomerang Interviu (Spain)




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Boomerang bound for Brazil

Wednesday, 5 April 2006

by Lucy Turner


Boomerang Interviú are hoping to warm up for the UEFA Futsal Cup final in style by defending the Intercontinental Futsal Cup title in Brazil this week.

Three European winners
The tournament, being staged in the Brazilian town of Brusque, is in its ninth edition, though it is the third since FIFA gave it recognition. Two European sides - Dina Moskva in 1997 and Spain's Caja Segovia FS three years later - had broken the Brazilian monopoly of the title when Boomerang and SL Benfica took part in Ciudad Real last season, and Jesús Candelas's team beat Malwee/Jaraguà 5-2 to take trophy.

Group B challenge
Their defence begins tomorrow in Group B against Japanese champions Predator, before a Saturday showdown with Brazilian giants Carlos Barbosa, who won the competition in 2004. The group winners then play off for the title on Sunday with the top team from Group A, consisting of South American champions Malwee/Jaraguá, continental runners-up Universidad Autonoma de Asuncion of Paraguay and ServCorp FC of the United States.

'Different conditions'
Candelas, who will travel with a full team except for Luis Arrizabalaga due to his broken toe, said: "We're very motivated because we're going to Brazil to defend our title. I don't know if the trip and the different conditions will affect us, we'll see that once we get there and to play against the Brazilians will represent a bigger effort. It would be very important for us to prove that the Spanish aren’t only superior at national-team level, but also at club level."

'Excellent talent'
Looking ahead of Saturday, he added: "Carlos Barbosa are a team in rebuilding and they’ve found excellent talent in Brazil, so this match is the key to the championship because Barbosa will be working hard to make things tough for us. It'll be a match to give us the feeling of being in a true competition before we face a possible final."

Moscow match-up
However, there was a slight setback at home last week then they lost 6-1 to Azkar Lugo FS to fall four points behind El Pozo Murcia Turistica FS. That pair remain favourite to reach the finals of the eight-team play-offs, scheduled for after Boomerang take on MFK Dinamo Moskva for the European title. Boomerang are at home in the first leg on Saturday 29 April, with the return eight days later.



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