All reports below are courtesy: FIFA.com


Lozano: Several teams could win it

Friday 10 October 2008

With the second phase of FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 about to get underway, FIFA.com took the chance to speak to former Spain coach Javier Lozano, who guided the Furia Roja to sucessive world titles in 2000 and 2004. Lozano currently combines his work with FIFA’s Technical Study Group with a role at Real Madrid, where he acts as a liason officer between the professional football team and the various sections of the clubs.

Taking a break off from his work for Los Blancos, Lozano has been spending time at the tournament in Brazil analysing the games for FIFA’s Technical Study Group. Having witnessed the hosts play in Brasilia, he has been very impressed with the Seleção’s progress so far. “Brazil are very focused and have prepared well for this World Cup. In contrast to 2000 and 2004, they are playing together as a team and don’t appear to be plagued with any internal problems this time,” Lozano told FIFA.com.

Despite the convincing performance of the home team to date, Lozano is reluctant to name Brazil as the clear favourites to pick up the coveted trophy. “It’s still too early to make any predictions. I think a number of teams could go all the way at this World Cup, including Spain, Brazil, Italy and Argentina,” he said.

Pressure helps Spain perform
Speaking ahead of the second round games, Lozano revealed that he expected to see an improved performance from his compatriots after their somewhat stuttering start to the tournament. “Traditionally, Spain’s strength never lay in their attacking play but rather in having a solid defense, good ball control and patient build-up. The first round is mostly a matter of warming up. This team needs the pressure provided by strong opposition to start firing on all cylinders,” said the Spaniard, who is also a member of the UEFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Commitee.

Spain, under new coach Venancio Lopez, will be no doubt looking to experienced players such as Javi Rodriguez and Kike in their quest for a hat-trick of world titles. While Kike has been an integral member of the Iberian set-up since their win at Guatemala 2000, Javi Rodriguez will be participating in his fourth FIFA Futsal World Cup tournament after making his debut at the 1996 edition in Spain. Lozano knows the pair well from his time as national team coach. “Javi is very experienced and a fantastic player. He’s the ideal person to help maintain team morale. Kike, on the other hand, is a natural leader on the pitch. He’s mentally strong and a very intelligent player who always puts the team first and gives everything to win,” the 47-year-old told FIFA.com.

Exciting second-round games in store
Although Lozano believes Spain, under new coach Venancio Lopez, will be favourites to progress, he is still very wary of the threat posed by their opponents in Group F: “Given their experience, Spain may have a slight advantage in the group, but I still think it’s going to go right down to the wire. Paraguay and Argentina both combine European discipline with South American creativity, while Russia are one of the strongest attacking teams here, even if they do need to tighten up their defence a bit.”

In Group E, Lozano favours the two big names to progress, but is aware that Ukraine possess the potential to spring a surprise. “Brazil and Italy are, on paper, the favourites but Ukraine will make life very difficult for both of these teams. Iran appear to have run out of steam somewhat, but if they remain mentally focused, they’re still capable of achieving something at the tournament,” he predicted.

Lozano is full of praise for the way futsal has developed over the past few years, citing the improvement of individual teams as a sign of the advances made: “Some years ago, teams were still playing futsal with five football players. Now everybody knows how you have to play futsal. It requires the players to have a certain in-built instinct for the right movement off the ball as well as tactical organization.”

One team who, despite failing to make the second group phase, have greatly impressed Lozano are Guatemala. The CONCACAF champions coached by Carlos Estrada have come on in leaps and bounds according to the Spaniard. “A few years ago the team were still playing in a very disorganized and tactically naïve manner. They have improved immensely and benefit from playing against high-quality opposition,” he told FIFA.com ahead of the intriguing second round encounters of FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 starting Saturday.



Winners and losers take stock

Friday 10 October 2008

Friday is a rest day at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008, giving FIFA.com the perfect opportunity to assess all the ups and downs of a breathless ten days of action in the first group phase.

Group A: No surprises
Through: Brazil, Russia
Out: Japan, Cuba, Solomon Islands

It came as no surprise to see Brazil unleash their considerable might on their opponents. The hosts racked up a total of 49 goals in four matches, including a 7-0 demolition of Russia, who had been expected to push the Brazilians hard. Despite that setback, the Russians qualified with ease, even outscoring the Auriverde by one goal thanks in the main to a record-breaking win over Solomon Islands. The Pacific islanders finished with the worst record of the 20 teams, while Japan, who battled to the end, and Cuba, who secured an historic first win, showed signs of improvement as well as potential for the future.

Outstanding performers: Falcao, Lenisio and Schumacher (BRA); Dmitry Prudnikov and Pula (RUS); Eduardo Morales (CUB)


Group B: Paraguay work a miracle
Through: Paraguay, Italy
Out: Portugal, Thailand, USA

Paraguay pulled off the biggest shock of the tournament to date in beating 2004 runners-up Italy and winning the section. Spurred on by the goals of Rene Villalba, the Albirroja checked into the second phase for the first time in 19 years. Aside from their off-day against the South Americans, it was business as usual for the Azzurri, who were at their most impressive in beating Portugal 3-1, a result that ultimately condemned the occasionally silky Portuguese to an early exit. An entertaining Thailand side proved easy on the eye although their lack of experience showed, while USA were simply outclassed by all their rivals.

Outstanding performers: Rene Villalba (PAR), Alexandre Feller, Grana and Sergio (Futsalplanet note: Sandro) Zanetti (ITA); Arnaldo and Ricardinho (POR); Eakapong Suratsawang (THA)


Group C: As expected
Through: Ukraine, Argentina
Out: Guatemala, Egypt, China PR

Ukraine and Argentina fulfilled the pre-tournament predictions by seizing the top two spots with a blend of tactical discipline, grit and versatility. Guatemala were the surprise package, winning two games and very nearly giving the Albiceleste a headache in the final match. A talented Egypt side showed plenty of promise and went down fighting in their three defeats, and new boys China PR also have a bright future ahead of them.

Outstanding performers: Valeriy Legchanov and Valeriy Zamyatin (UKR); Marcelo Gimenez, Matias Lucuix (ARG); Carlos Merida (GUA); Ahmed El Agouz and Hema (EGY)


Group D: Asian promise
Through: Spain, Iran
Out: Czech Republic, Libya, Uruguay

After suffering a scare against Iran in their group opener, Spain increased in stature as the first phase progressed, establishing their credentials by keeping three successive clean sheets. Meanwhile, the Asian champions proved their 3-3 draw against the holders was no fluke, stringing together a trio of wins to claim second place. Their victims in the all-important decider were Czech Republic, who have much to look forward to in the short term. Fourth-placed Libya need to add some tactical steel to their exquisite talents, while Uruguay gained some valuable experience that ought to stand them in good stead.

Outstanding performers: Javi Rodriguez, Kike and Daniel (ESP); Vahid Shamsaee and Mohammad Taheri (IRN); Roman Mares (CZE); Mohamed Rahoma (LBY)



On your marks for Round Two

Friday 10 October 2008

Excitement levels at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008 will be turned up a notch from Saturday onwards, as the competition's eagerly awaited second group phase gets underway. As always, FIFA.com is here to preview all the action on the 11th day of play.

The big match
Spain-Russia, Group F, 11 October, 12.30 local time, Brasilia
The battle lines have been drawn. On one side are reigning champions Spain, who have gone 148 minutes without conceding a goal and hold the second-best defensive record of the tournament thus far. On the other side are Russia, who boast the competition's most lethal attack including Brazilian-born Pula, tournament top scorer with 12 first-round goals.

The history books, however, are heavily in favour of La Roja, who have yet to lose to the Russians at the showpiece event. Following a 7-7 draw at Hong Kong 1992, La Selección won 2-0 at Spain 1996 and 3-2 at Guatemala 2000.

The other matches
Kicking off the day's action in the Brazilian capital is the all-South American duel between Argentina and Paraguay, a match whose outcome few have dared to predict. The most recent meeting between the pair ended in a 3-2 win for the Albiceleste in the play-off for third place at June's Copa America. However, the Albirroja will be buoyed by their group success over 2004 runners-up Italy and emerged victorious in their only previous clash with Argentina at a FIFA Futsal World Cup - winning 4-3 at Hong Kong 1992.

Meanwhile, anticipation is building in Rio de Janeiro where hosts Brazil are due to get their second-phase campaign underway against tournament revelations Iran. Though acutely aware of the Asian outfit's potential on the counter-attack, illustrated by their 3-3 group draw with champions Spain, the Seleção are unlikely to ditch their all-out attacking style in front of their home crowd. Iran will therefore have to put in a perfect defensive display and hope key men Vahid Shamsaee and Ali Hassanzadeh's inspired form continues. The only previous meeting between the sides at this event ended 8-3 to Brazil at Spain 1996.

Finally, Italy will be hoping to bounce back from that Paraguay reverse when they take on a fiercely competitive Ukraine side. Though both teams stand out for their tactical discipline, players such as Sandro Zanetti, Adriano Foglia, Valeriy Legchanov and Valeriy Zamyatin are all capable of moments of magic that can swing the result in their team's favour.

Player to watch
Ali Hassanzadeh (IRN)
The 21-year-old wide player grabbed a brace against Czech Republic and now has three goals to his name here at Brazil 2008. And if Iran are to spring a surprise against Brazil their No 7 will need to keep up his rich vein of goalscoring form.

The stat
5 - The number of teams in the last eight here in Brazil who also achieved the feat at Chinese Taipei 2004. Spain, Italy, Brazil, Argentina and Ukraine have all made it safely through to the second phase, though Portugal, Czech Republic and United States have fallen by the wayside.

What they said
"We've been drawn in the most difficult of the two groups, but if we're disciplined and we give it everything we've got, we could perhaps reach the semi-finals." Gennadiy Lisenchuk, Ukraine coach

All the fixtures
Brasilia
Paraguay-Argentina
Spain-Russia

Rio de Janeiro
Brazil-Iran
Ukraine-Italy





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