Futsal/Indoor Soccer World News
November 6, 2002

News and information on Futsal/Indoor Soccer from around the world

ASIA

IRAN CLAIMS FOURTH STRAIGHT ASIAN FUTSAL TITLE
Iran won the 2002 Asian Futsal Championship (AFC) after blanking Japan 6:0 in the finals in Istora Senayan, Indonesia on Oct. 30. Forward Vahid Shamsaee, who was the tournament’s top scorer with 25, scored twice for Iran in the finals as they claimed their fourth
consecutive AFC title going a perfect 6-0, while outscoring their opponents 61-7. In an earlier game, three-second half goals by forward Anucha Manjarern, who was also named the tournament’s most valuable player, helped paced Thailand to a 4:2 victory over Korea Republic for the bronze medal. Prior to the championship match, Iran posted a 7:4 win over Korea Republic in the semifinals on Oct. 29. After a 4:4 deadlock going into the second half, Iran scored three
unanswered goals to earn the victory. In the quarterfinals, Iran easily defeated Kyrgyzstan 10:2 on Oct. 28. The Iranians earned a spot in the quarterfinals, after capturing the Group B first round
title with a 3-0 ledger. Iran opened with a 5:0 shutout over Uzbekistan on Oct. 22, then hammered Malaysia 17:0 two days later, and finally closed out group play with a 16:1 trouncing of Chinese Taipei on Oct. 25.

2002 Asian Futsal Championship
October 22-30, Istora Senayan, Indonesia
Final Standings, Results
* Advance to Quarterfinals
^ Earned Wildcard Spot To Quarterfinals

Group A (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
Thailand (4, 4-0-0, 33:8, 12) *
Korea Republic (4, 2-1-1, 26:16, 7) *
Iraq (4, 2-2-0, 35:13, 6) ^
Bahrain (4, 1-2-1, 18:29, 4)
Brunei Darussalam (4, 0-4-0, 7:53, 0)

Group B (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
Iran (3, 3-0-0, 38:1, 9) *
Uzbekistan (3, 2-1-0, 12:7, 6) *
Malaysia (3, 1-2-0, 8:30, 3)
Chinese Taipei (3, 0-3-0, 8:28, 0)

Group C (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
Japan (4, 4-0-0, 16:4, 12) *
Kuwait (4, 2-1-1, 20:7, 7) *
Kyrgyzstan (4, 1-1-2, 12:7, 5) ^
Indonesia (4, 1-2-1, 12:11, 4)
China (4, 0-4-0, 3:34, 0)

Oct. 22
Korea Republic – Bahrain, 5:5
Thailand – Brunei Darussalam, 14:1
Iran – Uzbekistan, 5:0
Malaysia – Chinese Taipei, 7:6
Indonesia – China, 6:0
Kyrgyzstan – Kuwait, 2:2

Oct. 23
Thailand – Bahrain, 12:4
Korea Republic – Iraq, 8:5
Uzbekistan – Malaysia, 7:1
Kuwait – China, 15:1
Japan – Indonesia, 5:1

Oct. 24
Iraq – Brunei Darussalam, 20:1
Thailand – Korea Republic, 4:2
Iran – Malaysia, 17:0
Japan – Kyrgyzstan, 2:1
Kuwait – Indonesia, 3:2

Oct. 25
Korea Republic – Brunei Darussalam, 11:2
Iraq – Bahrain, 9:1
Iran – Chinese Taipei, 16:1
Indonesia – Kyrgyzstan, 3:3
Japan – China, 7:2

Oct. 26
Thailand – Iraq, 3:1
Bahrain – Brunei Darussalam, 8:3
Uzbekistan – Chinese Taipei, 5:1
Japan – Kuwait, 2:0
Kyrgyzstan – China, 6:0

Oct. 28
Quarterfinals
Thailand – Iraq, 5:2
Iran – Kyrgyzstan, 10:2
Japan – Uzbekistan, 1:0
Korea Republic – Kuwait, 7:6

Oct. 29
Semifinals
Japan – Thailand, 3:0
Iran – Korea Republic, 7:4

Oct. 30
Third place game
Thailand – Korea Republic, 4:2

Finals
Iran – Japan, 6:0

EUROPE

ITALY TO STAGE FIRST UEFA CONFERENCE FOR FUTSAL
“The Future of Futsal in Europe” will be the theme at the first UEFA Conference for Futsal that will take place in Coverciano, Italy from Nov. 26-28. Among the topics for the UEFA Conference will be a review of the Futsal Events from 2001-02, the Promotion of the Sport
as well as the Futsal Competition Calendar.

EUROPEAN FUTSAL 2003 QUALIFYING BEGINS
The qualifying phase for the 2003 European (UEFA) Futsal Championship began on Nov. 5, as five of the seven mini-tournament groups kicked off. A hat-trick by forward Sergey Ivanov paced Russia to a 6:1 victory over Israel in the UEFA Group 1 opener in Szeged, Hungary, while Latvia suffered an 8:0 blanking by the host Hungary. The defending World and UEFA champion Spain had no trouble against FYR Macedonia in Zrenjanin, Yugoslavia, winning easily 6:0 in Group 2 play, while two goals by midfielder Dimic Zoran helped the host
Yugoslavia to a 2:0 shutout over Lithuania. In Group 4, Holland topped the visiting Armenia 4:2 in Sittard, while Slovenia crushed Greece 6:0. Croatia pulled out a hard-fought 3:2 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Group 6 opener in Ostrava, Czech Republic, while France dropped a 5:1 decision to the host Czech Republic. Rounding out the Nov. 5th UEFA qualifying was the visiting Ukraine posting a 5:1 win over Slovakia in Group 7 held in Lucenec, while Andorra stunned Cyprus 3:1. The 2003 UEFA qualifying continues on Nov. 6, with,UEFA Groups 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in action, while Group 2, that will take place in Finland, begins on Nov. 20. The seven group winners will join the host Italy in the 2003 UEFA Futsal Championship set for Feb. 16-22. For more information on the 2003 UEFA Futsal Championship, check
www.uefa.com.

2003 European Futsal Championship Qualifying Groups
Group 1 (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
Nov. 5-8, in Makò & Szeged, Hungary
Hungary (1, 1-0-0, 8:0, 3)
Russia (1, 1-0-0, 6:1, 3)
Israel (1, 0-1-0, 1:6, 0)
Latvia (1, 0-1-0, 0:8, 0)

Group 2
Nov. 20-23, in Helsinki, Finland
Belgium
Finland
Poland
Moldova

Group 3 (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
Nov. 5-8, in Zrenjanin, Yugoslavia
Spain (1, 1-0-0, 6:0, 3)
Yugoslavia (1, 1-0-0, 2:0, 3)
Lithuania (1, 0-1-0, 0:2, 0)
FYR Macedonia (1, 0-1-0, 0:6, 0)

Group 4 (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
Nov. 5-8, in Sittard, Netherlands
Slovenia (1, 1-0-0, 6:0, 3)
Holland (1, 1-0-0, 4:2, 3)
Armenia (1, 0-1-0, 2:4, 0)
Greece (1, 0-1-0, 0:6, 0)

Group 5
Nov. 6-9, in Algarve, Portugal
Portugal
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Georgia

Group 6 (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
Nov. 5-8, in Ostrava, Czech Republic
Czech Republic (1, 1-0-0, 5:1, 3)
Croatia (1, 1-0-0, 3:2, 3)
Bosnia-Herzegovina (1, 0-1-0, 2:3, 0)
France (1, 0-1-0, 1:5, 0)

Group 7 (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
Nov. 5-8, in Lucenec, Slovakia
Ukraine (1, 1-0-0, 5:1, 3)
Andorra (1, 1-0-0, 3:1, 3)
Cyprus (1, 0-1-0, 1:3, 0)
Slovakia (1, 0-1-0, 1:5, 0)

FIVE CANDIDATES FOR 2004 FIFA FUTSAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland played host on Oct. 28, to this year’s first meeting of the FIFA Futsal Committee, under the chairmanship of Ricardo Teixeira Terra of Brazil. The members were informed that five national associations have submitted official
bids to host the fifth FIFA Futsal World Championship, scheduled for 2004. The list of candidates, in the order in which FIFA received the bids are Bahrain, Thailand, Egypt, Paraguay and Iran. These national associations have until Nov. 30, to either confirm or withdraw their bids, and until Dec. 20, to submit the bid documentation and the signed Organization Association Agreement to FIFA. The Futsal Committee will then nominate a national association and submit its proposal to the Executive Committee, which will reach a final decision regarding the host nation in the early months of 2003. The previous four FIFA Futsal World Championships have been held in the Holland (1989), Hong Kong (1992), Spain (1996), and Guatemala (2000). Brazil captured the first three tournament championships, while Spain claimed the title in 2000. The next FIFA Futsal World Championship will also be a reflection of FIFA’s efforts to unite the Futsal family, as the Futsal regulations in a number of national associations still differ. FIFA also intends to ask the national associations to complete a survey that will not only record the exact number of countries in which Futsal is played, but also the number of active players. This survey will then give further weight to calls for Futsal to be included in the 2008 Olympic Games in Peking, China.

TRANMERE VICTORIA TAKES 2002 BRITISH ISLES NATIONS FUTSAL CUP
Tranmere Victoria of England took the 2002 British Isles Nations Futsal Cup after winning all three matches in tournament play on Oct. 20, in Chester, England. The four-team round-robin competition also featured the futsal national teams' of Ireland, Northern Ireland
and Scotland. Tranmere Victoria’s road to the British Isles Cup began with a 4:1 victory over Northern Ireland. After topping Scotland 6:3, Tranmere Victoria closed out the event with a 3:1 win over Ireland.

2002 British Isles Nations Futsal Cup
Oct. 20th in Chester, England
Final Standing, Results
Teams (GP, W-L-T, GF:GA, PTS)
Tranmere Victoria-ENG (3, 3-0-0, 13:5, 9)
Ireland (3, 1-1-1, 5:6, 4)
Scotland (3, 1-2-0, 10:13, 3)
Northern Ireland (3, 0-2-1, 8:12, 1)

Oct. 20
Ireland – Scotland, 2:1
Tranmere Victoria – Northern Ireland, 4:1
Northern Ireland – Ireland, 2:2
Tranmere Victoria – Scotland, 6:3
Scotland – Northern Ireland, 6:5
Tranmere Victoria – Ireland, 3:1

FIFA ANNOUNCES FUTSAL, MINI-FOOTBALL COMMITTEES FOR
2002-2006
FIFA announced on Oct. 15, the members of all 33 committees that will serve for the 2002-2006 period. The President of the Brazilian Football Federation Ricardo Terra Teixeira will once again be the Chairman of the 12-member FIFA Committee for Futsal, while Isaac David Sasso Sasso of Costa Rica is the Deputy Chairman. Another FIFA committee of the 33 is the Sub-Committee for other Types of Mini-Football, which currently has three members.

FIFA Committee for Futsal
Chairman – Ricardo Terra Teixeira (BRA)
Deputy Chairman – Isaac David Sasso Sasso (CRC)
Members – Hisham Azmy (EGY), Wandy Batangtaris (IDN),
Armand Colombanit (TAH), Alvaro Melo Filho (BRA), Petr
Fousek (CZE), Colin Klass (GUY), Junji Ogura (JPN),
Rafael Ignacio Tinoco Kipps (GUA), Tom Van der Hulst (NED),
Alberto Vilar (ESP), Anthony Williams (NGA)

FIFA Sub-Committee for other Types of Mini-Football
Members – Pertti Alaja (FIN), Timothy Fok (HKG),
Chet Greene (ATG)

EIGHT TEAMS ADVANCE TO 2002-03 UEFA FUTSAL CUP SECOND ROUND
Eight teams advanced to the 2002-03 UEFA Futsal Cup Second Round after winning their respective group mini-tournaments from Oct. 4-13. The eight European clubs have been divided into two groups of four teams for the second round that wil run from Mar. 17-23, 2003. Group A has Antena Boomerang (Spain), MNK Split (Croatia) and Norilsky Nickel (Russia) joining last year’s UEFA Futsal Cup runners-up Action 21 Charleroi (Belgium), while Group B is composed of FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), KMF Nis (Yugoslavia), Prato C/5 (Italy) and the defending champion Playas de Castellón (Spain). The winners of each group will advance to the two-game final with the first one taking place between Apr. 14-20 and the second from Apr. 28 – May 4.

2002-03 UEFA Futsal Cup Second Round Groups
Mar. 17-23, 2003, Venue TBD

Group A
Action 21 Charleroi (BEL)
Norilsky Nickel (RUS)
Antena Boomerang (ESP)
MNK Split (CRO)

Group B
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
Prato C/5 (ITA)
Playas de Castellón (ESP)
KMF Nis (YUG)

NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA

KANSAS CITY COMETS RE-SIGN U.S. DEFENDER
The Kansas City Comets of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced on Nov. 5, they have re-signed U.S. defender Jeff Davis to a one-year contract. The St. Louis, Missouri Native, who begins 11th year of professional indoor soccer in the 2002-03 MISL season, scored five goals in five games for the U.S. Futsal National Team on their way to bronze medal at the 2000 CONCACAF Championships in Costa Rica. Prior to coming to the Comets, Davis spent two years with the St. Louis Steamers of the World Indoor Soccer League. Then he spent the 1993-96 campaigns with the St. Louis Ambush before being traded in the pre-season to Kansas City Attack (now Comets).

NOGUEIRA SURPASSES 40,000-MINUTE PLATEAU
Veteran U.S. goalkeeper Victor Nogueira became the first player in indoor soccer history to reach the 40,000 career-minute plateau after playing the entire game for the Milwaukee Wave of the Major Indoor Soccer League in the 17:4 victory over the visiting Cleveland Force on
Nov. 3. The 43-year-old the sport’s only player to have played in four different decades after starting his career back in 1975. Nogueira has also played in two FIFA Futsal World Championships (Hong Kong 1992, Spain 1996) and has made 16 international appearances with the USA.

COSTA RICA GOES UNBEATEN IN FOUR-GAME TOUR OF COLOMBIA
Costa Rica’s Selección de Futbol Salón (National Indoor Soccer Team) went 3-0-1 in a four-game tour of Colombia against local clubs from Oct. 26 – Nov. 1. The Ticos posted back-to-back victories against Then Ju (4:0) and Kajika (4:1) before playing FUNSA to a 2:2 draw. Costa Rica ended the tour with a 4:2 win over Suacho.

RUIZ NOTCHES ONLY GOAL FOR GUATEMALA IN 1:1 DRAW WITH JAMAICA
Forward Carlos Ruiz scored the only goal for the host Guatemala’s National Soccer Team in the 1:1 tie in an international friendly against Jamaica at the Cementos Progreso Stadium in Guatemala City on Oct. 31. Ruiz, who had a goal in three games for Guatemala’s Futsal Team at the 2000 FIFA World Championship, put the host on the board in the 53rd minute of the second half via a penalty kick for a 1:0 lead over Jamaica. The Reggae Boyz leveled the score eight minutes later for the 1:1 final.

BALTIMORE BLAST SIGN U.S. KEEPER
The Baltimore Blast of the MISL announced that the team has signed goalkeeper Brett Phillips to a one-year agreement, plus an option year on Oct. 29. The Blast drafted the Tampa Bay, Fla. Native in the 2002 MISL/St. Louis Steamers Dispersal Draft that was held on August 19. Phillips, who spent the 2001 season with the Steamers of
the now-defunct World Indoor Soccer League, is a member of the U.S. Futsal National Team Player Pool since 1995. He is currently ranked third on the U.S. Futsal Goalkeeper’s All-time Appearances with 10. The 33-year-old played three seasons in the Continental Indoor Soccer League (CISL), one with the Washington Warthogs (1996) and two with the Las Vegas Dust Devils (1994, 1995). He led the Dust Devils to the CISL Championship in 1994. He has also played the Harrisburg Heat (1992-94) and the Kansas City Attack (1995-96).

NAMAZI BECOMES HEAD COACH OF SAN DIEGO SPIRIT
The San Diego Spirit of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) has named Omid Namazi as the third head coach in club history on Oct. 25. Namazi, an experienced professional defender and championship coach comes to the Spirit from the Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). The 36-year-old, who scored two goals in two international matches with the U.S. Futsal National Team in 2002, led the Kixx to the 2001-02 MISL Championship as their player/coach. The Washington, D.C. Native becomes the third coach in WUSA history to join league with prior professional indoor coaching experience, following Jay Hoffman and U.S. Futsal National Team all-time leader in goals (17) and caps (30), Jim Gabarra.

GUATEMALAN STRIKERS SCORE GAME-WINNERS IN 2002 MLS, U.S.
OPEN CUP FINALS
Former Guatemalan Futsal Strikers scored the game-winning goals for their respective U.S. professional soccer clubs as Carlos Ruiz’s goal in the second sudden-death overtime period gave the Los Angeles Galaxy a 1:0 win over the host New England Revolution in the 2002 MLS (Major League Soccer) Cup Final on Oct. 20, while Freddy Garcia notched the game-winner for the Columbus Crew in the 1:0 victory over
the visiting Galaxy in the 2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final on Oct. 24. Both Garcia and Ruiz played with Guatemala’s Futsal National Team at the 2000 FIFA World Championship held in Guatemala.

CLEVELAND FORCE NAMES FORMER U.S. DEFENDER INTERIM COACH
Cleveland Force of the MISL announced on Oct. 16, that the squad’s Technical Director Andy Schmetzer has been named the interim head coach for the remainder of the 2002-03 season replacing former coach Mike Pilger. Schmetzer, who scored two goals in 10 appearances for
the U.S. Futsal National Team in 1992, will begin his first stint as a head coach in the MISL after spending 14 seasons as a player in indoor soccer including the last 10 seasons in a Cleveland uniform. The former defender achieved a silver medal with the U.S. squad at the 1992 FIFA Futsal World Championship in Hong Kong and also earned three indoor soccer championship rings with the Cleveland franchise (1993-94, 1995-96, 1998-99).

SOUTH AMERICA

CONMEBOL’S COPA AMÉRICA DE FUTSAL POSTPONED UNTIL MAY 2003
CONMEBOL’s (Confederation of South America) first Copa América de Futsal that was scheduled to take place in Asunción, Paraguay from Nov. 11-18, as been postponed until May of 2003. The Local Organizing Committee made the decision to push back the bi-annual event due to
political and financial problems. The 10-team CONMEBOL tournament will have two groups of five. Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay will join the host Paraguay in Group A, while Group B is composed of Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia and Venezuela. The 2003 edition of the South American tournament will be the respective qualifier for
the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship.

URUGUAY TO HOST 25TH CAMPEONATO PANAMERICANO DE FUTSAL
The 2002 Campeonato Panamericano de Futsal will be held in Ciudad de Mercedes, Uruguay from Nov. 11-17. The 25th edition organized by the Panamerican Futsal Confederation (PFC), has confirmed the participation of nine futsal clubs, which includes the defending champion Rubio Ñu de Juan Pedro Caballero of Parguay, who are looking for their sixth consecutive crown. The PFC are awaiting confirmation from FC Poços de Caldas (Brazil), Inter Montréal FC (Canada) and Curaçao FC (Netherlands Antilles) in order to announce the fixtures for the 2002 competition.

25TH Campeonato Panamericano de Futsal
Ciudad de Mercedes, Uruguay – Nov. 11-17, 2002
Clubs Confirmed – Casino FC de Comodoro Rivadavia (ARG),
C.D Aguilas de Santa Cruz (BOL), Club Sporting Neiva (COL),
Deportivo Paraíso (CRC), F.D. Ambato (ECU), Mercedes FC
(URU), Pirañas de Guayana (VEN), Rubio Ñu de Juan Pedro
Caballero (PAR), San Jose de Capitan Bado (PAR)

PARAGUAY DROPS PAIR OF FRIENDLIES TO BRAZILIAN CLUBS
Paraguay’s Futsal National Team dropped a pair of friendly matches to host Brazilian club teams on Oct. 24-25. The squad led by head coach Adolfo Ruiz Díaz lost the first game 8:4 to Colonia Toledo in Parana on Oct. 24, while the following day Paraguay dropped an 8:3 decision to San Miguel de Yguazú in Foz de Iguacu.

PERU CALLS IN 24 PLAYERS FOR TRAINING CAMP
Twenty-four players have been called in on Oct. 14, for training camp by Professors Pedro Sandoval and Julio Gómez to prepare Peru’s Futsal National Team for next year’s Copa América de Futsal in Paraguay. The 2003 Copa América de Futsal will double as the South American qualifier for the 2004 FIFA World Championship. With the support of the Federación Peruana de Fútbol and the Comisión Nacional de Futsal, Peru will be looking to advance to their first-ever world championships after having missed the previous four FIFA events (Holland 1989, Hong Kong 1992, Spain 1996, Guatemala 2000).

Peru's 24-Player Training Camp Roster (Club)
Jorge Aliaga (U. Villarreal), Ricardo Arellano (U. Callao),
Bratzo Banich (Rinconada), Klinger Barnahola (U. Cantuta),
Percy Barrueto (Liga), Luis Becerra (Liga), Marco Bello
(U. Villarreal), Edson Cáceres (Deporcentro Casuarinas),
Manuel Caldas (Liga), Johny Carrero (Liga), Orlando
Contreras (USIL), Carlos Cruzate (Ingeniería), Esteban
Gajate (Regatas), Renzo García (Liga), Mario Gavidia
(Liga), Miguel Giura (Wanka), José Hernández (Deporcentro
Casuarinas), Antonio Lazo (Deporcentro Casuarinas), César
León (Liga), David Rey Muñoz (Ingenieria), Oscar Nalvarte
(Kansas), Hugo Palomino (Sonora), Carlos Soto (Deporcentro
Casuarinas), Víctor Urbina (Liga)

CARLOS BARBOSA IS CROWNED 2002 CONMEBOL’S FUTSAL CLUB
OVERALL CHAMPION
Southern Zone Winner Carlos Barbosa of Brazil was crowned the 2002 CONMEBOL Futsal Club Overall Champion after defeating the “Northern Zone” Pumas del Avila of Venezuela in the best-of-three final, 2-0, at the Gimnasio Rómulo Ramírez in Varela, Venezuela on Oct. 10-11. After taking the first game 7:4 the day before, Carlos Barbosa captured the title after posting a 9:6 win over Pumas de Avila on
Oct. 12.

2002 CONMEBOL Futsal Club Championship
Oct. 10-11, Varela, Venezuela
Best-of-Three Series Final Results
Game #1 on Oct. 10
Carlos Barbosa (BRA) – Pumas del Ávila (VEN), 7:4

Game #2 on Oct. 11
Carlos Barbosa (BRA) – Pumas del Ávila (VEN), 9:6

Information was researched and compiled by Steven Torres, who is currently the P.R. Coordinator/Futsal Press Officer at the United States Soccer Federation.

Next issue will be sent on December 4, 2002

Futsal is a sport that is a derivative of soccer and played with five-man teams on a basketball style court, with no walls and a low bouncing ball, unlike the traditional sport of U.S. indoor soccer played with six-man squads and walls. Great soccer superstars such
as Pele, Zico, and Ronaldo grew up playing the game and credit Futsal with developing their skills.