Courtesy: Daily Examiner


Futsal shooting star aiming for Brazil

November 07, 2008

BRAZILIAN flair and samba magic are the hallmarks of some of the greatest players in world football today.

So it is no wonder Grafton futsal player Joel Clare dreams of living and playing in Brazil, the powerhouse of all things football.

"I'm looking to become a professional futsal player in Brazil," Joel, 13, said.

"Playing futsal, street soccer ... most of the great players come out of Brazil."

Dreams may become reality if Joel's meteoric rise through the futsal ranks continues as it has.

It was only a year ago when Joel headed indoors to compete in the fast paced action of futsal.

Fast forward to present day and Joel has raked up the mileage which only multi-million dollar football players are more accustomed too.

"I just went to China with the Australian Under-13 futsal team," Joel said.

"We won seven of our games out of ten."

What is more amazing about Joel's lightning-quick introduction to futsal is his lack of exposure to the indoor game.

"It hasn't really been put onto to television yet," Joel said.

"It's not a big thing yet.

"I've seen highlights of the Sydney teams and Melbourne teams play in grand finals."

The lack of a futsal identity was even more apparent when Joel's school, McAuley Catholic College, tried to host a futsal competition.

"Because no boys team turned up ... we played in the girls' competition and we won that," Joel said.

"There was meant to be Port Macquarie and heaps of teams (in the boys' competition).

"We just played in the girls (competition) just as a muck around."

Alongside China sit trips to Victoria and Queensland as Joel's young career builds from strength to strength.

Joel will soon represent the Clarence Valley in a New South Wales side competing in Brisbane, but it is his dream of playing in Brazil which dominates his heart.

"I went to Melbourne just before I went to China," Joel said. "I got selected in the All Star team.

"They're thinking about taking us to Brazil next year for the World Cup tour."





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