Courtesy: UEFA.com

Hermans wants Dutch improvement

Friday, 23 February 2007

Netherlands coach Vic Hermans has promised to get his side back on track after a disappointing 4-4 draw with Azerbaijan in their opening UEFA European Futsal Championship Group D qualifier.

Restore confidence
Hermans's team twice led by two goals in the game but allowed their opponents to draw level on both occasions. He said: "I have to make sure my side get back on the rails. Today I did not see my team in action - I did not recognise them. Maybe it was the tension of playing in our home country or our complacency."

Leads surrendered
Eric de Jongh and Marciano Boumann gave the Netherlands a 2-0 advantage and, after Azerbaijan had initially restored parity, Antoine Merlino and Joey Ngarigota restored their two-goal cushion. Hermans's side could not, however, hold on. "I had hoped the goals would give the team more self-confidence but that did not happen. We gave it away again after that," said the coach. The Dutch now face Finland on Friday then Serbia on Sunday as they look to qualify for the tournament they graced in 2005.




Courtesy: UEFA.com

Problems mount for Andorra

Friday, 23 February 2007

Andorra coach Carles Riba has seen his squad decimated by injury and suspension ahead of their UEFA European Futsal Championship qualifiers in the principality next week.

Major absentees
The hosts meet Slovakia in Group B on Monday before matches against Israel and Ukraine, but their uphill battle has become even tougher due to important absentees. Joan Foix is suspended, Miguel Blázquez is not eligible until their third game, while No1 goalkeeper Eric Flinch has dropped out after suffering from pneumonia.

Team spirit
Riba is hoping team spirit will help Andorra to remain competitive, given their problems. He said: "Blázquez is one of our main offensive players, Foix is a defender who brings confidence, and Flinch was playing well. But we're eager for this to start. No one can beat us for enthusiasm - we've sweated blood in training. We know it's likely we'll lose all three games, but we'll see what happens playing at home. If we beat Slovakia and Israel, we would then have our options open for the last game. You never know."



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