Courtesy: Australian Jewish News


Maccabi futsal on the world stage

The Maccabi Futsal Club is sending a 12-man side to take on the best in the world at a tournament in Portugal next month.

by David Weiner

MACCABI will test its skills against the cream of international futsal next month after accepting invitations to participate in two elite-level tournaments in Portugal.

The Maccabi Futsal Club announced a 12-man touring squad to tackle clubs from European football giants, such as Sporting Paris, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica, in an exhibition tournament to launch a new stadium on the Azores Island.

The side will then travel to Guarda City in the country’s north to challenge for the Gold Cup, which will comprise the same teams but with clubs from the US and Iran as well.

The team will be headed by Australian Futsalroo coach and recently appointed Oceania Futsal development officer Scott Gilligan, as well as current Futsalroo captain Simon Keith.

The side was invited to the inauguration of the new stadium, where they will play professional sides at the sold-out venue, with the tournament also set to receive television coverage.

Maccabi Futsal president John Myers told The AJN that this tour was all about building towards Maccabiah 2009.

“The idea behind taking the tour was to get the international overseas experience and get battle-hardened, with the big vision being Maccabiah 2009 and to get a core group of players together,” he said.

“It’ll be a battle, but it’ll be an experience. We’ll see the results in Israel next year.”

Maccabi has been playing in the Futsal NSW Winter Super League and is now training twice weekly in preparation for the Portuguese tournament.

The side has focused on blooding new talent in the early stages of the season, giving plenty of game time to the side’s youngsters in an effort acclimatise them to the rigours of high-level futsal.

The club will take two development players from the under-18 side, Andy Kanchik and Marco Pim, on the trip, and Myers said the youngsters were fitting in nicely.

Myers said that the squad is buzzing as they count down towards the trip, describing the atmosphere around the club as “electric”.





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