Courtesy: FIFA.com


Falcao ready to win ugly

Sunday 28 September 2008

The winner of the adidas Golden Ball at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Chinese Taipei 2004 and the architect of many a Brazilian victory over the years, Alessandro Rosa Vieira, otherwise known as Falcao, enjoys nothing short of hero status in his homeland and around the world.

But aside from the goals and his inspirational presence, what makes the 31-year-old wide-man so admired in the game and so different to his fellow players is the amazing repertoire of overhead flicks, nutmegs, backheels and mazy dribbles he can produce in even the tightest of games. But as the Seleção prepare for their bid to win back futsal's biggest trophy on home soil, the Brazilian star is ready to sacrifice all the tricks just to get his hands on the cup again.

"Brazilian futsal is entertaining and exciting, and no one's going to change that. But our main objective here is to win," the flamboyant No 12 tells FIFA.com. "We know there will be times during this World Cup when 1-0 is enough."

Despite his improbable talents, Falcao was unable to prevent Spain making off with the world title in 2000 and 2004. "I want to win the World Cup more than any other trophy and if we have to play ugly football for nine games to win the cup, then so be it. Even so, I think we ought to be able combine jogo bonito and a winning mentality."

Falcao's latest masterclass came at the start of the month when in the final league match of the season he scored twice to help Malwee to a 6-2 win over Ulbra, a result that clinched them the title. One of the goals was an incredible overhead-kick from the halfway-line, a work of art that showed no one can marry beautiful football and winning quite like the Brazilian magician.

"Over the last few years I've learnt a lot about how to use my dribbling skills and come up with different moves. When the situation calls for something special I'll use my talents, but when the World Cup gets under way we'll be focusing on marking our opponents, dedication and winning matches. Even so, if I need to come up with an individual piece of skill, I'll make every effort to pull something off.

While Falcao and his team-mates are convinced they need to be more pragmatic, it remains to be seen whether the fans in Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia are ready to sacrifice entertainment for glory. "We know how big the expectations are here. Everybody thinks the Brazil games are going to be one big show, and that puts even more pressure on us. At the same time, though, playing at home and having the fans behind us gives us a great advantage. It doesn't matter what sport you play - it's an amazing feeling for any athlete to win a world title in their country, and that's what we hope to do."



Courtesy: FIFA.com


Brazil ready for the big kick-off

Monday 29 September 2008

There are few places on the planet where passions for the game of futsal run as deep as in Brazil. For that very reason, when the sixth edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup kicks off this Tuesday, the entire host nation will be behind their Seleção. The Auriverde certainly have a point to prove. Having won the first three editions of the showpiece competition, they have exited at the hands of eventual winners Spain at the last two events - in 2000 and 2004. But rest assured, the Furia Roja have touched down on Brazilian soil determined to hold onto their world crown and their status as futsal's top dogs.

"I'm dreaming of a Brazil-Spain final," said Spain's Javi Rodriguez, who is set to take part in his fourth FIFA Futsal World Cup with La Selección. Equally forthright was the man widely regarded as the world's best futsal player, Brazil legend Falcao: "If we need to play ugly football in all nine games in order to win the cup then that's what we'll do." And FIFA.com users were also keen not to be left out of the pre-tournament word jousting, with podeston, from the birthplace of futsal Uruguay, having this to say: "I'm sorry to have to tell you all this, but the champions are going to be Uruguay."

As the opening whistle fast approaches, the uncertainties surrounding the competition continue to increase. Can Italy or Argentina, runners-up and fourth respectively in 2004, break Spain and Brazil's stranglehold on the coveted trophy? Will 2008 be the year Russia, Ukraine, Iran and Egypt make the definitive breakthrough? Will another, less-favoured side, emerge from the shadows to spring a surprise? The answers to these questions and more should not be long in arriving.

Stat attack
The FIFA Futsal World Cup is the fourth longest-running competition on the current FIFA calendar, after the FIFA World Cup, the FIFA U-20 World Cup and the FIFA U-17 World Cup. After being hosted twice on European soil (Netherlands 1989 and Spain 1996), twice in Asia (Hong Kong 1992 and Chinese Taipei 2004) and once in Central America (Guatemala 2000), Brazil 2008 will be the first time the elite event will be held in South America.

It will also be the first edition of the tournament to be contested by 20 national sides instead of 16, and will include a total of 56 matches to be played in the two host cities of Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia.

The competition format is straightforward enough. The 20 participating teams will be divided into four groups of five (Groups A-D) for the first round, to be played in a round-robin format. The top two in each group progress to the second round, where the eight remaining teams will be split into two groups of four (Groups E and F), also to be played in a round-robin format. The winners of Groups E and F will progress to the semi-finals, where they will meet the runners-up of Groups F and E respectively. May the best team win!


Courtesy: FIFA.com

Hosts open FIFA Futsal World Cup

Monday 29 September 2008

Let the games begin! On Tuesday, the Futsal fireworks ignite in Brazilian capital Brasilia and in Rio de Janeiro, with both hosts Brazil and 2004 runners-up Italy in action on opening day. The youngest team in this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup will also go in search of a flying start to the event.

The big game
Brazil - Japan, Tuesday 30 September, 10.30 local time, Brasilia
Expectations are running high in Brazil. The host nation are among the favourites for the trophy and will start in confident mood with strong support from a boisterous home crowd. The Seleção open their FIFA Futsal World Cup campaign against Japan, who qualified for the global showdown thanks to a third-place finish at the AFC championships.

With an average age of 30 years and one month, the Brazil side is the oldest but also the most experienced at the tournament. However, as coach Paulo Cesar de Oliveira exclusively told FIFA.com recently, the hosts have a great deal of respect for all their opponents and are fully aware of the stern challenge which lies ahead.

The other games
In Rio de Janeiro, 2004 runners-up Italy meet Thailand, an emerging force nowadays under coach Jose Maria Pazos Mendez after battling through to the final in Asian qualifying, where they fell 4-0 to Iran. However, their ticket to the FIFA Futsal World Cup was safely in the bag, and the Thais are quietly confident of making an impression in South America. Nevertheless it is Italy, losing finalists to Spain at both the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2004 and last year’s UEFA Futsal Championship, who start as favourites.

The second Group B fixture pits Paraguay against the USA. The South Americans finished fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying, while the USA booked their slot in Brazil with a third-place finish in the CONCACAF eliminators. The crowd can look forward to an open and exciting encounter.

The opening day programme is rounded off by the meeting between Cuba and the Solomon Islands. The young team from the South Pacific rate as unknown newcomers. By contrast, Cuba are old hands after contesting the last three world tournaments, although they will be desperate to register their first-ever points at the event, as their record currently reads played nine, lost nine.

The player
Falcao, Brazil
A venerated icon of Brazlian futsal and the undoubted superstar of the Seleção, Falcao has been one of the game’s greats for years and now aims to crown an illustrious career with the FIFA Futsal World Cup trophy. Technically gifted and stunningly potent in front of goal, he will seek to whip the crowd into a frenzy and ensure his men open on a winning note.

The stat
18 years and six months – the average age of OFC hopefuls Solomon Islands. Coach Victor Wai'ia’s side are the youngest at this year’s showdown.

What they said
“Thailand are much improved thanks to their European coach, and they’re strong and enthusiastic too.” (Alessandro Nuccorini, Italy coach)

All the fixtures (kick-off times are local)

Brasilia
Brazil - Japan (10.30)
Cuba – Solomon Islands (12.30)

Rio de Janeiro
Italy - Thailand (10.30)
Paraguay - USA (12.30)






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