Courtesy: New Straits Times


Dutch to send strong side for tournament

Malaysia is expected to be represented by the core players of the side that returned with silver medal from Korat.

IF the performance of the Netherlands team at the recent four-nation tournament is anything to go by, Malaysian futsal fans are in for a treat at the KL World 5s at Stadium Negara on Jan 29-Feb 3.

The KL World 5s is billed as the most lucrative futsal tournament in the world with prize money of US$150,000 (RM490,000).

Under head coach Vic Hermans, who was voted Most Valuable Player at the 1989 Fifa Futsal World Cup, the Dutch team have improved out of sight over the past year and are on the brink of becoming a futsal powerhouse in Europe.

In the four-nation tournament in the Netherlands, the hosts whipped England 12-0, breaching the English defence at will and their finishing was lethal.

The Dutch are led by their most capped player, Antoine Merlino, who has made 102 appearances for his country and has scored 29 goals.

With 80 national appearances to his credit, Marinho Letemahulu will be another player to look out for.

But the hottest and most dangerous player in the Dutch side though is Samir Makhoukhi, who, despite being a defender, is the team's top scorer with 33 goals from 60 matches.

The Netherlands and hosts Malaysia are among 10 teams that will be competing in the KL World 5s together with Brazil, Argentina, England, Australia, Iran, China, Thailand and Indonesia.

The tournament will be telecast live to over 310 million viewers across Asia on ESPN-STAR Sports channels.

The hosts are expected to feature the core players of the side that returned with silver medal from the Korat SEA Games last month. -- Bernama





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