Courtesy: The FA.com

Follett looks forward

By Jamie Bradbury

Friday, 15 December 2006

England vs France
International Futsal Friendly Double-Header

Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 December 2006

7pm kick off (both games)

English Institute of Sport, Sheffield
Tickets available on the night - £3 for adults, concessions get in free.

England’s Futsal Team take on France in a friendly double-header on Tuesday and Wednesday as they look to pick up their first win in the five-a-side game.

Graeme Dell’s team last played the French in March 2005 and lost out 5-2 in front of a capacity crowd on the outskirts of Lille, but with Futsal becoming more and more popular in this country during that time, many feel that elusive victory is not far off.

Moor Green defender Richard Follett is part of Dell’s squad for the games in Sheffield and since making his debut in the Three Lions second ever Futsal international, he seen a lot of changes.

Despite missing a year due to injury, the 27-year-old is now back in the groove at eleven-a-side and for England in the five-a-side game and feels that the more Futsal is played around the country the better England will become.

“I tore my ACL [anterior cruciate ligament], similar to Michael Owen’s injury, back in August 2005 and had the reconstruction done in November last year,” said Follett, “But have only been playing again this season - it feels good to be back.

“Unfortunately we don’t play Futsal on a daily basis like many of the other countries we play against, the only time we do play, as there is no club structure, is when we get together with England.

“But The FA are working really hard on developing the game and leagues are starting to spring up, which is great. I’ve not been able to play in the leagues due to my injury, but it’s something I think all of the England players need to look at - if they haven’t already.”

Follett used to play for Nottingham Forest but left the City Ground in 1999 and went for a brief spell at Bolton. That was halted by injury and forced him into a change in direction. Now he works as a Chartered Physiotherapist for the NHS in Gloucestershire while playing in the Nationwide Conference North.

In his 12 caps for the England Futsal side he’s come up against many experienced five-a-side nations, but believes, in time, the game can help this country’s players develop so the Three Lions can begin to make some serious steps forward.

“It’s a high skill level involved in the game, it’s about technical players who can pass well, who have a good footballing brain,” he explained. “Futsal has been a huge development aid in countries like Brazil and Portugal, teams that are known for their skilful play and technical ability.”

He added: “You have to have a great deal of respect for the likes of Poland, too, who we played recently. They are ranked 17th in the world and are there for a reason. Their ability, their movement and speed of thought is so obvious, but they are professional Futsal players and it comes with playing regularly. So it’s no surprise that they are ahead of where we are at the moment.

“But I’ve really noticed an improvement personally and as a squad, and I think we’re going in the right direction. It’s only a matter of time that we get that first win.”

Graeme Dell has called up two replacements into his squad for the matches, John Robinson of Loughborough University and David Bridgwater from Moor Green come in for Farai Jackson and Neil Saunders.








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