Courtesy: The FA.com

England held by Cyprus

Tuesday, 30 May 2006.

England 5-5 Cyprus
Futsal Friendly Tournament
England, Cyprus, Belgium
English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
29 May - 01 June 2006

England’s opening game in the Four Nations Tournament in Sheffield last night saw joy turn to frustration as they let slip a convincing lead to draw with a resilient Cyprus team.

At the English Institute of Sport, almost 400 people turned out to watch a game which was preceded by a light show, rock music, a parade of team mascots and cheerleaders creating a lively atmosphere for this fast and skilful game.

England were still looking for their first victory in the highly competitive world of international Futsal and faced a Cypriot team who have recently defeated France and drawn with a very strong Romanian team in their most recent matches.

England started at a tremendous tempo, dominating possession and forcing the Cypriots into errors. This approach brought early rewards with a goal from the excellent Alex Sykes. This trend continued throughout the half with England showing clear signs that a pre competition camp at Lilleshall had significantly improved both their organization and technical skills.

This was demonstrated by the success of England’s set piece play with Sykes cracking home a fierce left foot volley in the sixth minute direct from a corner. Cyprus could do little to respond to England’s pace and movement with further goals from Marc Canham and debutant Jon Adams adding to England’s first half haul.

A solitary strike from Cyprus’ Fostas from a ten penalty left the half time score 4-1 to England and Graeme Dell’s men anxiously contemplating the prospect of a first win.

England started the second half in the same vein with Sykes completing a deserved hatrick and then having a further effort hit both posts and rebound into the arms of the relieved Goal Keeper.

Sport at the highest level requires mental as well as physical strength and it was from this point onwards that England were found lacking. Cyprus somehow managed to raise their game and England quickly reached their five foul limit leaving them vulnerable to 10 metre penalties for each successive fouls.

England’s Keeper Farai Jackson suddenly found his goal being peppered with shots and a goal from Charalambos on 28 minutes provided the Cypriots with the incentive they required.

With England seeking to run the clock down and protect their lead they became cautious and allowed themselves to be closed down by the enthused Cypriots. Further goals followed for Cyprus in the 36 and 38 minute and then with only two minutes left a long throw from the Cyprus Goalkeeper was headed over Jackson in the England goal by Fostas to complete a remarkable comeback.

England were distraught but managed to hold on to the end of the match to salvage a point from an evening which had begun so brightly.

Graeme Dell, England Head Coach said: “The way in which we played for the majority of the game means that we should not be too disheartened with the result. Two years hard work of investment and commitment by The FA into developing the players for the Futsal team is beginning to show.

"It was an all round excellent team performance and we go into the rest of the Tournament knowing that we can compete with some of the better and more established Futsal teams in the world.

"It was very disappointing not to have secured our first victory given the quality of the performance but has proved to me and the players that we are within sights of the success that we deserve’."

In the other match of the opening day a young Belgian team were defeated 2- 4 by an impressive Belarus.

England’s next match is Tuesday 30th May against Belarus kick off 3pm and the final match and closing ceremony of the tournament is on Thursday 1st June At 7.30pm, at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. Tickets are £3 each and concessions are admitted free of charge.



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