Courtesy: The Star On Line


Argentina in Malaysia’s group

By ERIC SAMUEL

PETALING JAYA: Malaysia have defending champions Argentina for company in Group A of the Kuala Lumpur World 5s futsal tournament scheduled for Jan 29-Feb 3 at the Stadium Negara in Kuala Lumpur.

In the draw conducted at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya on Tuesday, the other teams in the group are England, Australia and Indonesia.

Three-time world champions Brazil are in Group B with Holland, China, Thailand and Iran.

The tournament offers a total prize money of US$150,000.

The deputy organising chairman, Hamidin Mohd Amin, said: “It is an exciting draw with some of the top futsal playing nations competing.

“Argentina and England are among the top five in the world. Australia are ranked 10th in Asia while Malaysia are 16th and Indonesia 17th.”

Reigning world champions Spain are the notable absentees after having featured in the inaugural tournament in 2003 at the Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil. Argentina won the title beating Brazil 3-2 in the final.

The national team are now in training camp at the Wisma FAM in Kelana Jaya under chief coach P. Balakrishnan.

Last month, Malaysia picked up the silver medal in the Korat SEA Games. They defeated Indonesia 4-3 in the semi-finals before losing 0-5 to Thailand in the final.





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