Futsal Flair by Louis Porcelli

THE UK’s NUMBER ONE FUTSAL MAGAZINE

ISSUE #1 MAY 2018

CLUB LE I F O R P

TES A D P DU N A L ENG NI U 9 1 U R O I N SE

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ING T N U O AND C

R E G N I L L A B E LUK 100

L FUTSA TO FOOTY

£3 ONLY .99

CAGE TO SUPER E LEAGU

ONE TO H WATC

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K C A B IS

Keepers' Corner Coaches' Corner

DOUG REED Manchester Futsal & England

athlete

E R O M E M A G

RAONI MEDINA Helvecia Futsal & England

INTRODUCING THE NEW ENGLAND NATIONAL TEAM COLLECTION 2018

CONTENTS MAY 2018

Photo from: WTC Photography

8 Club Profile: London Helvecia 13 Top Level Futsal Brought to Bedfordshire

44 From the Cage to the Super League with Faisal Qadri 50 Futsal to Football

14 "Hopefully I'll Be At That Level In a Few Years"

58 One to Watch with Nathan Prime

16 South Futsal on Top At EUS Challenge Cup 2018

64 Futsal Abroad

22 Internationals featuring Wissam Ben Yedder 26 100 and Counting with Luke Ballinger 32 England U19 Futsal Win Double Header in Holland 38 England Falter in Strong Georgian Test

68 Gloves, Fingerless or Bare Hands? 72 Split Save Stretching 74 Shoot Like Barcelona 76 FA National League Tables Turn over for our Editorial @futsalflair

A FUTSAL FLAIR HELLO!

elcome to the very first edition of Futsal Flair, the number one futsal magazine on the market in

the UK. Futsal is the only small-sided variation of football that is FIFA recognised, alongside Beach Soccer, and it's continuously on the rise in the UK. Because of this, I feel that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only right that there is a magazine for the public and fellow futsal players to read. I started playing futsal three years ago, for the University of Bedfordshire and I continue to do so to this very day. I came across the sport after taking a break from football and I intend to keep on playing it, hopefully for a National League club, after I graduate. While international futsal will feature in the magazine, Futsal Flair predominately focuses on the game in the UK to provide exposure for clubs and players. Futsal players across all levels of the National Futsal Leagues have been featured, to get their point of view of the game from different tiers. Match reports and news on Super League, FA Cup or England International games are included to showcase the stand out clubs and players at this moment in time. Tips to help with performance, coaching drills, footwear and accessories all matter to the game of futsal too! Thank you all for picking up an issue, or reading this online! Every single read means so much, and I hope that you enjoy the content inside this issue. Sharing this magazine with your family and friends will help grow the exposure of this brilliant sport.

FF SOCIAL MEDIA

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LOUIS PORCELLI EDITOR @futsalflair

CLUB PROFILE:

LONDON HELVECIA

Name: London Helvecia Futsal Club Nickname: Helvecia Founded: 2007 Venue: The Score Centre, Leyton, London Manager: Leandro Afonso League: FA Futsal Super League

Honours FA Futsal Super League: x6 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017

FA Futsal Cup: x3 2008, 2009, 2010

UEFA Futsal Cup: Prelim Round Best Position: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2018

ABOUT A

demar Pereira and Ronaldo Negrao created a competitive futsal team for the Brazilian community based in London, originally called Helvecia do Brasil. Raoni Medina was the first player signed for Helvecia, who helped attract players of other backgrounds to the club, not just Brazilian. Medina has now become their first team captain and the England national team captain. After winning the then called Futsal Premier League in London, they were given entry into the FA Futsal Cup and eventually into the UEFA Cup. A club name change was required to be able to play in the UEFA Futsal Cup, so Helvecia Futsal Club was formed. Helvecia have been unable to get past the Preliminary Round of the UEFA Cup on all four occasions, finishing

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Photo from: O Historiador

London Helvecia Manager: Leandro Afonso

Photo from: Helvecia

2nd in the groups. The backroom staff includes; Jackson Roque, CEO and chairman – Virgilho Pereira Guimaraes, who joined as their secretary from the start of its foundation and Leandro Afonso is their first team coach, as well as leading club development. Not only are Helvecia a founding member of the FA National Futsal League, but they’re also the most successful English futsal team with six league titles and three FA Cup wins. Renamed London Helvecia Futsal Club in the first season of the new FA Futsal Super League, the club are currently challenging for their seventh league title win in the 2017/18 season.

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT

VLADIMIR DERENDIAJEV

Helvecia are not just a men's first team, playing in the FA Super League. They provide opportunities to youth teams and sports clubs in the local community, so that they can try their hand at futsal.

LITHUANIA FUTSAL INTERNATIONAL

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AS PART OF OUR DEVELOPMENT PLAN, WE ARE CREATING OUR YOUTH INFASTRUCTURE, DEVELOPING A COMMUNITY PROGRAMME AND CREATING RELATIONSHIPS WITH LOCAL INSTITUTIONS

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WE OFFER AFTER-SCHOOL CLUBS AND EVENING SESSIONS, BUT OUR PARTNERSHIPS GO FURTHER. WE ALSO DELIVER FUTSAL -THEMED EXTENDED LEARNING DAYS, WHERE WE DELIVER SPORT SESSIONS

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WE BELIEVE THERE IS POTENTIAL TO SUCCESSFULLY RUN FUTSAL-RELATED PROJECTS IN THE COMMUNITY, SO WE ARE STARTING TO WORK WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS Photo from: Helvecia

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2017/18 SEASON Helvecia are currently top of the National Super League, with 17 wins, one draw and two defeats to their name. 52 points from 20 games is an impressive total, as well of holding the best goals for record (134) and the fewest goals against record (49). Their first defeat of the season came against their title rivals Reading Escolla, who have a game in hand and are only two points behind Helvecia. A 3-4 home loss after leading 3-2 at halftime would have been a devastating blow, and a 3-3 away draw against relagation threatened Tranmere Rovers followed the next week. Their second defeat was very similar to their first, but up against Birmingham who won 1-2 away from home, after being 1-0 up at the break. However with only dropping seven points in total and winning 17 from 20 games, it has put them into a two horse race with Reading Escolla for the title. And they’re aiming for the double, as they’re pursuing the FA Futsal Cup after beating Kettering 5-1 in the First Round. 10

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Photo from: Helvecia

STAR PLAYER Helvecia and England Captain Raoni Medina is the club’s league top goal scorer so far this season, with 18 goals from 18 games.

Photo from: Helvecia

Now and then: A young Raoni Medina (above) with Helvecia in their early days, is now captain of England Futsal (below)

Photo from: Helvecia

SQUAD Jonny Simm - GK Mario Gazolli - GK Vladimir Derendiajev Maximilian Kilman Stuart Cook Liam Palfreeman Russell Goldstein

JAMES WEBB

Raoni Medina James Webb Lucas Totti Thiago Goncalves Guilherme Monti Calvin Dickson Richard Ward Bruno Vitorino Ruben Santos Andrew De Santana Dimar Lahoz

NINE LIONS Helvecia have nine England internationals in their squad: Simm, Kilman, Cook, Palfreeman, Goldstein, Medina, Webb, Dickson & Ward

LUCAS TOTTI

ENGLAND FUTSAL INTERNATIONAL

Photos from: Helvecia

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K C A B IS

2017 FA FUTSAL CUP WINNERS LONDON CITY FUTSAL 12

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FA FUTSAL CUP

TOP LEVEL FUTSAL BROUGHT TO BEDFORDSHIRE

wo clubs from the top half of the FA Super League did battle in the Preliminary Round of the FA Futsal Cup on the 18th March. However instead of hosting the game at their usual home venue, Cambridge played at the University of Bedfordshire’s Polhill Campus Sports Arena. Despite the U's losing comfortably to Birmingham

1-5, it provided the county of Bedfordshire with a top level futsal game to experience. Apart from having a University Club, with two men’s and a women’s team, Bedfordshire have no futsal clubs in any FA division. The closest team apart from Cambridge is Kettering and then

1-5

you’d have to go further afield to the numerous London-based clubs. Hopefully in the future, there will be more clubs starting up, to provide even more people opportunities of playing for a team, especially in the county of Bedfordshire.

BIRMINGHAM GOALSCORERS LEWIS SCOTT IVAN ALBIOL SANZ ZAC PRICE DAN GUY

Photo from: Birmingham Futsal Club

Birmingham celebrate after their victory at the University of Bedfordshire Sports Arena @futsalflair

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HOPEFULLY I'LL BE AT THAT LEVEL IN A FEW YEARS

FC Salisbury United 15-5 ProFutsal London

record attendance of 442 came to watch FC Salisbury United on the 4th March at the Five Rivers Leisure Centre, for the Preliminary Round of the FA Futsal Cup against ProFutsal London Development Team. It was a comfortable victory for FC Salisbury, winning 15-5, but Jabbil Chibwana who played for ProFutsal London Development Team was upbeat and positive about the experience. “It was an excellent atmosphere; the crowd was really supportive and it felt like a professional game,” says Chibwana. “Having a huge crowd, goes to show how much futsal is developing in the U.K.”

ProFutsal Development play in Division Two South, two tiers below National Super League outfit FC Salisbury United. Despite playing in lower leagues, Chibwana is no stranger to playing in front of a large crowd. “It’s my second greatest experience playing futsal. I played in front of a similar crowd number when I was 16-years-old playing for East of England, against South England & London and the atmosphere was the same,” explained Chibwana. “Loud music, crowd cheering and applauding both teams, I feel my personal performance and work ethic improves in front of a crowd as it means more.”

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Not only would Salisbury have quality on their side for the game, but they had quantity as well, having a squad of 12 players compared to ProFutsal’s seven. “We have a young inexperienced squad, so we were all quite nervous,” said the 22-year-old. “It was our first FA Cup game as a team and we were put against one of the top teams in the country. We knew it was going to be a difficult, intense game. Our coach told us to go out and enjoy ourselves. Forget about the occasion, just go out and play as it’s a normal league game.” And with it being an away tie for ProFutsal, it almost seemed like an impossible task for the Development Team.

ProFutsal London Development line-up alongside FC Salisbury in front of 442 people

Photo from: Spencer Mulholland Photography 14

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FA FUTSAL CUP TEAM SHEETS FC SALISBURY UNITED

Photo from: Jabbil Chibwana

Chibwana (bottom right) with his ProFutsal teammates Despite conceding 10 goals in the first half, they kept the scoreline very respectable. Chibwana wasn’t able to get on the scoresheet, but his teammates scored five past the Super League outfit, with the final result being 15-5. “My performance could have been a lot better,” suggested Chibwana. “I felt my previous injury I’ve recently recovered from held me back mentally. However the crowd’s cheering and chanting pushed me to keep going and working.” Whilst having lower league and university experience under his belt, Chibwana explained that playing against Salisbury was a whole new level to play against. “It’s the highest standard I’ve ever played, explained the Sport

and Physical Education student. “It’s an enormous jump from university/2nd division futsal. It’s a completely different style of play with players from different countries.” Instead of knocking any confidence from the Salisbury defeat, the experience has spurred Chibwana on to progress and continue playing the sport that he has loved for so long now. “Composure is vital in intense games,” explained Chibwana. “Always remain calm on the ball and have several ideas of what you are going to do before you get the ball. Always think two steps ahead, taking too long to make decisions can affect your team. The game has inspired me to keep pushing and training. Hopefully I’ll be at that level in a few years.”

PHILLIP BERNTSEN PATRICK CREASE SAMUEL DORRINGTON BRUNO GIBIN DIOGO MARTINHO JORDAN MATTHEWS CONNOR MILLAR RUSSELL PARSONS EDDIE PERRETT GEORGE PLANK SHAUN PRENTICE GERSON RAMOS PROFUTSAL LONDON DEVELOPMENT

JABBIL CHIBWANA CHRISTIAN EDWARDS OLI LEIGH BRANDON MYERS MARCO RUSSO JAKE SALEM MIKHAEEL WHITE

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SOUTH FUTSAL ON EUS CHALLENGE

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TOP AT THE CUP 2018

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English Universities Sport introduced Futsal into their programme for the first time this year, and there was a North vs South rivalry over two days

or a lot of futsal players, university would have provided the first stepping stone into the sport. University futsal teams have developed a lot over recent years, with improved quality and increased number of clubs being entered into BUCS (British Univerisity & College Sport). This has been seen in the futsal community as a tool for young players to progress as a futsal player, before eventually aiming to play in the National Super League. Because of this, England Universities Sport has introduced futsal into their programme for the first time this year. For 2018, successful trialists for either futsal, football, hockey or netball, would play for Team South

or Team North at the Challenge Cup. On the 27th and 28th March, University of Manchester held England Universities Sport’s 2018 Challenge Cup, where Team South took on Team North across the four different sports, male and female. Over the course of both days, the two teams trained and played in two fixtures. The Men’s South Team were victorious over Team North, winning 6-2 and 3-1 across the two games (9-3 on aggregate). Carl Tappin, who played for Men’s Futsal South, enjoyed the experience and the facilities at the University of Manchester. “The size of the court and playing area was much larger

LOUIS PORCELLI @EngUniSport to what I’m used to,” explained Tappin. “I was put up in a Travelodge [and roomed] with two boys from the team during my time up at Manchester." Whilst often being physically active with a number of different futsal/football teams during the same week, Tappin explained the demands put on him over the two days. “It was physically extremely demanding due to the high intensity of futsal in general,” said the University of Bedfordshire student. “What was also difficult was the way we defended required maximum effort and intensity at all times, which made it more demanding than what I’m used to.” Whilst they would have trialled against each other, the team would

Carl Tappin (centre) and George White (right) representing England South University Futsal Photo from: English Universities Sport

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The two Women's Futsal teams, Team South playing in the blue kit and Team North in red have only met up the day before the first fixture, and they had to work on their team tactics in a very short period. “The sessions on the first day were based on how he wanted us to defend, however he [Marc Forrest] didn’t make it obvious we were defending and it seemed as if we were focusing on trying to score which made it more enjoyable,” said the first leg goal scorer. “There was also a focus on being explosive in attack and driving at the opposition when the time is right.” Despite Tappin’s opinion of Team North, Team South’s gameplan and mentality is what separated the two teams. “On paper North had better technical players however as a

squad we really came together, we worked together as a group and we worked collectively very well, especially with this defensive strategy we implemented,” said the 22-year-old. The two-day experience has given Tappin the knowledge and confidence to continue progressing as a futsal player as well as a footballer. “I have learnt a lot about futsal in such a short space of time, particularly about how your positioning on court is so important to effecting the game and how your body shape can manipulate an opponent,” said Tappin. “I’ve also learnt myself that I’m not miles off the standard of some of the top players which boosted my confidence massively.”

With the Home Nations tournament taking a bye year from England Uni Sport, and with trials having to take place in December for next year’s competition, what’s left for this current crop? “There was a mention of a potential friendly against England U23 Futsal, however this isn’t confirmed,” stated the fix/winger futsaller. After originally being 2-0 down to Team North, Women's Team South pulled it around in the second leg, winning 7-2 and 7-4 on aggregate. The two futsal south teams gave Team South two points overall, but it wasn’t enough as Team North won 4-3 overall and won the Challenge Cup 2018 (only Netball South provided their other win.)

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THE UMBRO CHALEIRA PRO

THE HOME OF FUTSAL

INTERNATIONALS There's not many people who have represented their country across various sports, but there are three athletes who have achieved international caps for both football and futsal

LOUIS PORCELLI

GETTY IMAGES

Wissam Ben Yedder Ben Yedder recently made his France debut coming on as a substitute against Colombia

fter coming off the bench for Sevilla in the Champions League Round of 16, Wissam Ben Yedder scored two goals in the space of four minutes against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The 2-1 result on aggregate knocked out the Europa League holders on their home turf. After his performance, Ben Yedder was called up to the French National Football Team for the first time. The striker gained his first cap for his country by coming on as a substitute in a 2-3 deafeat against Colombia in a friendly match. But did you know that Ben Yedder has been capped by the French National Futsal Team back in 2010? He played twice for France Futsal, and the 19-year-old at the time also scored a goal for his country. Ben Yedder is the only Frenchman who has played for both football and futsal national teams. But who else has achieved this incredible feat?

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Photo from: Zak Goldman

Photo from: Joga Futsal

Ben Yedder with France's futsal team (above) and scoring against Man United (below) Photo from: ITV

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Tom Rogic Photo from: International Footballl School

Rogic representing Australia futsal (below, number 13) before playing for Australia football Photo from: Futsal4All

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Celticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tom Rogic took a similar route as Ben Yedder, when it came to the timing of representing his country at futsal. Rogic represented Australia Futsal at the tender age of 17-years-old, when he was studying at the Australian National University. He had a prolific record, scoring eight goals in seven matches for the national futsal team. After his spell in futsal, he won two league titles with Central Coast Mariners which saw him earn his move to Celtic in 2013. Despite his 6ft 2in frame, the attacking midfielder has transferred his touch, control and dribbling ability from futsal into the top level of Scottish and Australian football. Rogic has claimed three league titles, two Scottish Cup's and two Scottish League Cup's since being at Celtic Park. Not to mention that the 25-year-old has already won numerous caps for Australia and will surely feature at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Photo from: Ampilar

Robert Jarni Photo from: Getty Images

Jarni prolonged his career by playing futsal after retiring from football Robert Jarni only pursued his futsal career after he retired from football. Jarni did play futsal when he was younger, but this wasn't when he achieved his futsal caps. Before he retired from his football career, Jarni played for European giants Juventus and Real Madrid, as well as other clubs in Croatia, Italy, Spain and Greece. After having a successful spell with Real Betis, Jarni signed for Coventry in 1998 but never played a single game for the club, as Real Madrid signed him for an increased fee to prise him away during the very same summer. Jarni played for Croatia 81 times, seven times for Yugoslavia and scored twice (one for each national team). He played for MNK Split Futsal after his football career, along with playing twice and scoring twice for Croatia Futsal in 2003.

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100 AND COUNTING Peter Shilton, Wayne Rooney and David Beckham are just a few names who have surpassed 100 caps for the Three Lions. But Melkshamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s LUKE BALLINGER wrote himself into British futsal history by becoming the first Englishman who reached the century mark for the England national futsal team. LOUIS PORCELLI THE FA 8 26

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COVER STAR

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efore 'The Face of English Futsal' even started playing the sport, Luke Ballinger was like every other kid in Britain, trying to become a professional footballer. He was given his scholarship with Bristol City through the ‘Shooting Star’ competition, organised by the Western Daily Press. Ballinger was the one and only winner from a total of 95 youngsters, and he even went onto make an appearance for Bristol City’s first team. “I was lucky enough to be at Bristol City Football Club as YTS (Youth Team Scholar) and enjoyed it very much,” said Ballinger. “I was able to play a few games for the 1st team in pre-season and it was a great experience.” However he wasn’t offered that sort-after professional contract at the end of his scholarship. If Bristol City extended his stay at the club, Ballinger might never had played futsal for his country, never mind playing over 100 times for England. “I started playing futsal when my Uncle started a league locally and my team ended up winning it. We then went on to represent the county through a couple of qualifiers against Cornwall and in Birmingham where we

qualified for the nationals in Sheffield,” Ballinger explained. “We went onto the final in the Plate Competition where we played Preston North End and I scored six. The England manager was watching and I had a phone call a couple of months later asking if I wanted to play in Turkey in two weeks. I agreed and have been playing ever since.” Ballinger made his England debut at the young age of 19-yearsold back in 2007, after very little experience of playing the sport. His commitment to futsal whilst still playing non-league football for the likes of Frome Town, Chippenham Town, Mangotsfield United, Paulton Rovers and Cirenchester Town, earned him the captain’s armband which stayed with him for six years. “The captain armband came around very early on in my career and to be given it so young and to be trusted with it is a huge honour. I always try and do things my own way and believe I did that,” said Ballinger. “Of course I made some mistakes along the way but I feel, overall, I made the job a success and I believe I had the backing of my team. This is the most important thing.” The 30-year-old has played for Bristol City Futsal and Melksham Futsal, but it was Oxford City

Photo from: Futsal Planet

Ballinger celebrates during the early days of England futsal 28

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A teenage Ballinger at Bristol City's Youth Acadmey

Photo from: BBC Lions that stood out for Ballinger in his career. “I have played for some great clubs in the National League,” said the England international. “I said Oxford, simply because of some of the foreign lads that I was playing with and we managed to get to the Grand Finals, just losing out to Helvecia.” Fast forward nine years on from his debut for England, Ballinger made his 100th appearance in a 3-3 draw against Germany in 2016. Not only is he the record holder for futsal caps, but he’s also their all-time top goal scorer with 60 goals. “I don’t think you can compare 100 caps or 60 goals,” suggested Ballinger. “To play for your country just once is a huge achievement but 100 really is a great feeling and looking back, one day it will hit me how good it really is. The 60 goals is great because early in my career we were a very weak side and went into games knowing we didn’t have a chance of winning. So to score the amount of goals I did back then is very good and I think to continue scoring over the 10 years is also very good.”

COVER STAR

Photo from: Martin Rose

Ballinger making his 100th appearance for England futsal against Germany (above), in action for Melksham Town (bottom left) and the exclusive golden cap (bottom right) Photo from: Luke Ballinger

Photo from: Wiltshire Times

A year later, he was awarded his golden cap at half-time of the England vs Brazil fixture at Wembley, on the 14th November which ended 0-0. Ballinger is the one and only Englishman to reach 100 caps for the futsal national team. “The night of my 100th cap was a great experience. I’m sure it hasn’t really sunk in properly yet but I’m sure one day it really will,” exclaimed Ballinger. “It happened so quickly and was a very weird feeling looking up at so many people. The night happened very quickly but it was very enjoyable and I’m happy to have the gold cap here at home with me.” By splitting his duties on and off the pitch for Melksham Town, the now assistant manager at the West Country club helped them reach the quarter-finals of the FA Vase, who were only two rounds away from playing at Wembley. During working hours, Ballinger is the co-director and head coach at the Future of Football, developing three to 14-year-olds.

Ballinger is now Assistant Manager at Melksham

Photo from: Wiltshire Times

Photo from: Luke Ballinger

Ballinger collecting his golden cap at Wembley 30

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“Future of Football is what it says on the tin. It is the future players,” said the FC Salisbury player. “We play outside in the summer and come inside in the winter. We don’t really play futsal, but we use the techniques of the game and then transfer them into football. We see a huge benefit in doing this and when the players come outside their touch is better and sharper for it. We will play futsal one day, but we just don’t have the time and space to do this at the moment.” After being left out of the England squad for the Home Nations tournament against Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, Ballinger is applying his futsal trade for FC Salisbury, where they’ve been quite the surprise package in the FA Super League so far this season. “The target for FC Salisbury is to survive. The club has a great structure

COVER STAR and fan base - easily the best in the league,” claimed the local Wiltshire-born forward. “Personally, it’s to get back playing again and become sharper to get myself back in the England team. This is because I love the game and know I still have something to offer the national side. I just need to prove this to people. After all, 108 caps and 60 goals says that I wasn’t too bad a player.” Ballinger’s experience and talent will put him in contention for the next England squad, if he keeps up a run of form for Salisbury. Whilst he might not be the focal point of the team, he still offers the England team a goal scoring threat with 60 goals to his name.

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AFTER ALL, 108 CAPS AND 60 GOALS SAYS THAT I WASN'T TOO BAD A PLAYER

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LUKE BALLINGER

Ballinger is co-directer and head coach at the Future of Football coaching company

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ENGLAND U19 FUTSAL WIN DOUBLE HEADER IN HOLLAND

England U19s Futsal Team won 4-2 and 3-1 in their first ever fixtures, both coming against the Netherlands U19s at the Dutch National Centre in Ziest on the 2nd and 3rd March. LOUIS PORCELLI

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ESCOLLA FUTSAL

2ND MARCH - NETHERLANDS U19s 2-4 ENGLAND U19s

s the ball fell for Monty Bouttell who had a 1 v 1 opportunity early on in the first match, his toe poke went just wide of the near post. Helvecia’s Ruben Santos’ trickery down the right wing, who turned the ball inside to Nathan Davis had his tight angled shot blocked by the Netherlands goalkeeper. Bouttell found space in the top right corner of the court, as University of Nottingham’s Zak Brunt played him in down the side of the Netherlands box, but their ‘keeper came out on top again. The Netherlands almost completed a successful counter attack, but Chelsea goalkeeper James Black turned the ball away with a one handed save.

After switching play from a kickin, the Netherlands played the ball to the back post, and with a shot that was struck into the ground that seemed destined to go in, Black stayed big and diverted the ball around the post for a corner to go in at half-time 0-0. A switch in goal at the break for England saw Jack Walsh called upon first, who made a smart save down low with his left leg. As Santos retrieved the ball for England after putting pressure on a Dutch player out on the wing, he countered and his toe punt strike was too hot to handle for the Netherlands ‘keeper, creeping in to make it 1-0 to England. Not too soon after, Bouttell received the ball, travelled down the right wing in the opposition’s

half and despite the tight angle, the top goal scorer in the English National Super League found the back of the net by playing the ball between the ‘keeper’s legs, 2-0 to England. However, a slack pass from Bouttell who tried to play it back to Brunt who was playing as fix, allowed the Netherlands to strike and claw a goal back to make it 2-1. The Netherlands should have levelled the match up as well, after a string of three saves were made from Walsh in goal, all being from close range to keep England in the lead. It was England who were clinical with their chances however, as it was Santos yet again who produced a two-goal salvo from

ENGLAND U19 SQUAD 1. JAMES BLACK (GK) Chelsea FC 2. MIKEY BULMER York City Futsal Club 4. NATHAN DAVIS Loughborough Futsal 5. MONTY BOUTTELL Cambridge United FC 7. RUBEN SANTOS Helvecia Futsal Club 8. OLLY WHALLEY Uni of Nottingham Futsal

9. JAMES DIRKIN Reading Escolla Futsal 10. ZAK BRUNT Uni of Nottingham Futsal 11. JARED RAND Reading Escolla Futsal 12. HENRIQUE DO CARMO Reading Escolla Futsal 13. JACK WALSH (GK) Reading Escolla Futsal 14. LIAM HUNT Genesis Futsal Club @futsalflair

a deflected free kick and a similar recreation of Boutell’s earlier goal, making it 4-1 to England. Bouttell could have made it an even more convincing score line, as after dispossessing the last Dutch outfielder, it looked like he had all the time in the world to

finish his 1 v 1 opportunity. However, the Cambridge United player’s strike went wide of the mark. Walsh was needed yet again to keep the Netherlands from completing their counter attack, after they tackled Henrique Do

Carmo. The Reading Escolla 'keeper was motionless for the Netherlands’ second goal however, as their free-kick went post and in, only for a consolation though as the match finished 4-2 to England.

Photo from: The FA 34

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Photo from: The FA

3RD MARCH - NETHERLANDS U19s 1-3 ENGLAND U19s England goalkeeper Jack Walsh played the first half of the second match, and was called upon early to make a fine double save, from a deflected kick-in off of Liam Hunt and from an opponent. Keeping his clean sheet intact, a back post shot from the resulting corner was kept out from Walsh. Henrique Do Carmo chipped the ball over a Dutch trailing leg, followed by a ball roll and a toe pock but it was well saved by the Netherlands’ goalkeeper. After receiving the ball in the defensive corner of the court, Do Carmo played an inch perfect ball to find Mikey Bulmer in behind the Netherlands, who was able to bring the ball down on his chest and smashed the ball past the on rushing ‘keeper. However, the Netherlands were able to level the score just before half-time with another free-kick goal, as the strike found a way of creeping in between Do Carmo’s legs to get through the English wall. Both England and the Netherlands were threatening from corners, as both goalkeepers

were made to parry the ball over the bar from cutback shots, this time being James Black who came on for the second half. Monty Bouttell came the closest to breaking the deadlock, as his dribble and long range shot struck the Dutch crossbar. The Netherlands goalkeeper made a brilliant double save as he produced a split save at the back post and blocked the rebound. The Dutch goal was under siege with numerous shots on target from corner routines, as Olly Whalley had three quick fire attempts but couldn’t squirm the ball past or under the Dutch ‘keeper. After the pressure from England, the Netherlands were able to counter in a 2 v 1 situation, but Zak Brunt was superb to stop the opposition from getting a shot away on goal. After both teams missed back post opportunities, Bouttell took it upon himself to score his second goal in two games for the U19s with a low toe punt, 2-1 England. After assisting the second goal with a backwards sole role, it was

Ruben Santos’ turn in getting on the score sheet, as his shot after a kick-in somehow managed to find its way between the Dutch ‘keepers legs to make it 3-1 to England. After two quality victories, this suggests that English futsal is going in the right direction and hopefully the U19s can be successful at next year’s U19 European Championships.

Photo from: CM Futsal

Man of the Matches: Helvecia's Ruben Santos @futsalflair

INTRODUCING THE NATIONAL TEAM

NEW ENGLAND COLLECTION

ENGLAND FALTER IN STRONG GEORGIAN TEST The England futsal team travelled over to Georgia for a friendly double header, but the the hosts truimphed 5-1 & 6-0 over the Three Lions, who are 12 places below Georgia in the Futsal World Rankings. LOUIS PORCELLI

@futsalflair

GFF

4TH APRIL GEORGIA 5-1 ENGLAND

ithin the first 30 seconds of the match, Dylan Malpas was called upon to save a half volley from close range and a sliding block from James Webb kept the rebound out. After a few stepovers and an inside dribble past England’s Guillermo Wallace, a Georgia strike put the ball into the top right corner, to make it 1-0 to the hosts a minute and a half in. Georgia scored their second goal in quick succession, as a ball from Georgia’s goalkeeper was played behind Doug Reed and Malpas tried to clear the ball, but it sliced off of his leg and struck a Georgia player, which made it an easy tap in for him. From a Georgia corner, they played the ball between the front two Englishmen Robert Bettson and Richard Ward, and the Georgia runner got in, striked the ball across Malpas, hit the post and went in for Georgia’s third goal -

ENGLAND SQUAD 1. DYLAN MALPAS (GK) Uni of Nottingham Futsal 2. RUSSELL GOLDSTEIN Helvecia Futsal Club 3. CALVIN DICKSON Helvecia Futsal Club 4. DOUG REED Manchester Futsal Club 5. JORDAN EDGE Manchester Futsal Club 6. DEAN WITHERS Birmingham Futsal Club 7. ROBERT BETTSON York City Futsal Club 8. LIAM PALFREEMAN Helvecia Futsal Club 9. RAONI MEDINA (C) Helvecia Futsal Club 10. JAMES WEBB Helvecia Futsal Club 11. RICHARD WARD Helvecia Futsal Club 12. STUART COOK Helvecia Futsal Club 14. GUILLERMO WALLACE Prato Calcio A5 15. CURTIS MASON Kettering Futsal Club 22. MARK CROFT (GK) Volare Poligano @futsalflair

Dylan Malpas (right) is the first choice for the Three Lions, as he started both games in goal

Photo from: Dylan Malpas three goals in three minutes for the Georgians. There could have been a fourth goal conceded for England, if it wasn’t for the referee ruling it out for obstruction against Georgia during the build up. England were able to pull a goal back to 3-1 however, as a corner kick was set to Ward who striked the ball to Bettson at the back post, to make up for the third goal the pair conceded. Malpas was being kept busy in the first-half, as he made a couple of saves from close range to keep the deficit down to two goals. Stuart Cook played a ball to the back post for Calvin Dickson, which put him in a 1 v 1 position against the Georgia ‘keeper, but he came across and produced a split save to deny England from scoring 40

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a second goal. England were starting to produce chances, as Ward was able to get the ball out of his feet, get a turn and a shot away, only to be saved by the ‘keeper’s legs. The rebound fell for Liam Palfreeman whose effort went wide of the target. Ward was able to produce some incredible individual skill, as he dribbled past two opponents, but his toe poke just went wide of the goal due to being under pressure from a defender who came sliding in. Georgia produced a strong counter attack, as a shot went through Malpas’ legs but a covering England defender was there to clear the ball off of the line. Georgia were keeping England under pressure for the rest of the

first half with a few long range sighters, one of which struck the crossbar and the other was well saved by Malpas, down low to his right with his leg. However Georgia made it 4-1 in the first three minutes of the second half, as the ball was cut back to the edge of the penalty box and struck first time. Straight after the fifth goal of the game, a Georgia shot was pulled to the far post and it was turned in by a teammate who didn’t know much about it. The importance of shooting to back post is shown with that goal – 5-1 to Georgia. Malpas made a fine save from a tight angle, as he was

required to stick his left leg out to deny a certain goal otherwise. Webb provided England with a goal scoring opportunity, after being brought down after a clever turn on the ball. Reed laid the free-kick off to the side for Webb to strike, which got blocked twice after Dickson couldn’t scramble the ball in, with Georgia putting their bodies on the line. Both goalkeepers kept the score line the same, as Ward was played in 1 v 1 but the Georgia ‘keeper came out and narrowed the angle. And substitute England ‘keeper Mark Croft made his presence felt by maintaining his clean sheet in the last seconds of the game.

Photo from: Liam Palfreeman

Liam Palfreeman (left) was one of seven Helvecia players who were included for England @futsalflair

Doug Reed (right) often plays as England's deepest player, in the fix position

Photo from: Doug Reed

5TH APRIL - GEORGIA 6-0 ENGLAND Like the first game, Dylan Malpas was called into action first but it wasn’t until the third minute mark. England were already 3-0 down at that point in the last game. The Georgia effort put England into life, as Calvin Dickson was able to roll the ball down the line and get a shot away with his left foot, but the Georgia goalkeeper takes no chances at his near post. England produced an almost 42

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identical attack, with Dickson at the heart of it again. He rolled the Georgian opponent, but it’s another smart save from the 'keeper. The Three Lions were the ones putting the pressure on, as England countered with Goldstein who took a strike on goal, but the Georgia ‘keeper somehow got his toe to the ball and deflects it onto the crossbar. From an England kick-in within

their defensive third, Doug Reed played a weak back pass to Malpas and the Georgia player was able to intercept and sneak the ball into the goal by sliding in. A poor goal to give away after England looked like the team in control. The momentum shifted after Georgia went 1-0 up, as Malpas made a good finger tip save. He was unable to keep the next effort out however, as a ball was played to England’s back post, Reed was unable to track the

Georgia goal scorer who tapped it into the empty net. After the kick-off, Dickson tried to find Goldstein at the back post for a certain goal, only to be cut out by the Georgia ‘keeper. Manchester Futsal player Jordan Edge played a slack pass in the defensive third of the court, and the Georgian slipped the ball to the side of Malpas to a teammate for an easy finish, 4-0 Georgia. After good rotation and passing, it looked like Georgia made a defence splitting pass to put them in a 1 v 1 position. But Malpas came out to sweep up and produced a brilliant sliding tackle. After being subbed on, goalkeeper Mark Croft dribbled the ball past the half way line and had an effort on goal.

The second choice Georgia ‘keeper had good handling and returned with an effort of his own on the empty net. Croft managed to get back in time, held the high ball and stopped himself from going over the line. Some good sole control and passing from Georgia resulted in a tight angled chance but Croft came out and blocked the effort. A chipped ball in behind Reed resulted in Croft coming out and splitting to just get the ball away, as Georgia tried to take the ball around the on rushing ‘keeper. Curtis Mason had one of England’s first meaningful efforts of the second half, as his toe poke effort was well plucked out of the top corner. England’s only goal scorer in

the first match Robert Bettson had a long range effort, which was acrobatically saved to maintain Georgia’s clean sheet. Croft’s close range barrier maintained his clean sheet since coming on. But it didn’t last long, as a Georgia free-kick was flicked in with a back heel and went through the legs of marker Stuart Cook and ‘keeper Croft to make it 4-0 to Georgia. Whilst England were playing fly keeper, Richard Ward lost the ball whilst in possession and it was a simple finish to make it 5-0 to the hosts. The final score finished 6-0, as Georgia’s final goal was a buzzer beater, as the ball rolled into the England net.

Photo from: Mark Croft

Mark Croft (above) is currently playing in the Italian Serie B futsal league for Poligano @futsalflair

FROM THE

CAGE TO THE

SUPER LEAGUE

@futsalflair

After a combintion of cage football and the development tool of university futsal, FAISAL QADRI has experienced the top tier and wants a taste of it again soon. LOUIS PORCELLI

age football can help futsal or footballers develop their touch, dribbling and flair as the small pitch means that they’re always closed down with the need to get out of tight spaces. Tottenham’s Moussa Dembele always praised cage football for his development, making him able to glide past opponents with ease. With these sorts of qualities, most of the Tottenham players believe that he’s the best player at the club, ahead of the likes of

Harry Kane and Dele Alli. And Faisal Qadri, winger for West London Futsal Club in the National Southern League, played cage football in his Acton estate when he was younger. “I grew up in an estate and we had a football pitch we called the cage, we always played 3 v 3 or a maximum of 4 v 4 in a very tight space so the skills transferred across well, it was just about learning the tactics when I started playing [futsal] at university,” explained Qadri. “Playing

BULLS TV

in a cage was my love before 11-a-side football and I had always excelled in 5-a-side and small sided games as I used to play with a lot of older people from the estate, and I found that my 11-a-side performances weren’t as good as small sided games.” The West London-bred player started playing football at primary school, and has transferred his cage football skills to playing futsal at the University of Bedfordshire. “I heard of futsal and wanted to try it out but the lack of

NAME: FAISAL QADRI AGE: 23 NATIONALITY: ENGLAND/PAKISTAN POSITION: WINGER CLUB: WEST LONDON LEAGUE: NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH Photo from: West London Futsal Club

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teams and awareness of teams around meant I only started at university level,” stated the 23-year-old. “I fell in love with futsal at university and told myself to find a club, as I wasn’t really interested in playing 11-a-side.” Qadri scored 24 goals in his final year at University, helping the University of Bedfordshire win the Midlands 1B league title. However going from university to the Super League, the top tier of English futsal was quite a leap. “It was a massive jump that I struggled with in my first season to be honest,” admitted Qadri. "I went from University where we barley lost a game to being a team [West London] who struggled all season. And personally I found it difficult learning the new tactics after being used to a certain system for two years at university. Due to the lack of tactical knowledge I

Qadri (fifth from the right) listenining to a West London team talk

Photo from: Adidas

Qadri played cage football (like the above picture) to develop his close control and skills 46

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was barley playing and almost felt like quitting as I had never enjoyed sitting and watching most of the games.” When asked about who is the best teammate the EnglishPakistani futsaller has played with, he picked an ex-Genesis and a current London Helvecia player in the Super League. “I’d say that the best player I’ve played with would be a guy called Bruno [Vitorino], he was very technical and could take anybody on 1 v 1.” Instead of coming straight back up to the Super League, West London Futsal Club are currently struggling in the National League South. “At the moment we are having a very bad season after a good start, but this is down to a few reasons,” stated Qadri. “Such as not having a head coach, a completely new Photo from: West London Futsal Club

Photo from: AZ SportsImages

Bruno Vitorino (above) is the best player Qadri has played with, who now plays for Helvecia @futsalflair

Moussa Dembele (left) played cage football to help him become the player he is today

Photo from: Premier League

squad who are still learning how to improve and play together so at the moment we are just trying to finish the season strong and avoid relegation.” Qadri is his own biggest critic at times when it comes to his personal performances. However, he must be pleased with receiving more game time on the court and having extra responsibility in trying to secure West London’s National League South status. “Personally I don’t believe my performances have been as good as they could be as I hold myself to a high standard, but my tactical knowledge has improved a lot and I have been playing better over the last few months, which has resulted in me playing much more on the pitch,” highlighted Qadri. “Goals are something I’m lacking having only scored four

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Qadri in action for the University of Bedfordshire against Coventry University

Photo from: Bulls TV

this season, which is completely different to university, when I was scoring near enough 20 goals.” After experiencing the Super League in his very first senior futsal season, Qadri is determined to get back to the top flight in the near future and continue to develop his futsal career. “Having played in the Super League for one season, I loved the intensity and difficulty of the games. So yes I can’t wait to get back to playing in it, whether it is with my current club or a new club is definitely achievable.” Qadri is a very grounded and focused individual, who’ll never forget his roots which helped him becoming the player that he is today. Hopefully West London can avoid relegation and especially for Faisal with his aim of getting back to the Super League.

Photo from: West London Futsal Club

@futsalflair

FUTSAL TO

FOOTBALL Footballâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s top three players in the world; Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, and Neymar all played futsal at a young age to hone their technical skills to become the magicians that they are today. They praise the impact futsal had on their development, but what British talent played the sport before becoming football superstars? Futsal to Football highlights the four best British footballers with a futsal background. LOUIS PORCELLI LEE WARREN & THE TELEGRAPH 50

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WILL HUGHES

fter being a teenage sensation for Derby County, breaking into the first team at the age of 16-years-old, Will Hughes finally stepped up to the Premier League in the summer of 2017. Watford signed the 23-year-old for a fee of £8 million, a small price to pay when you consider the current transfer market. Not to mention that he was once being linked with clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona. But during his time at Derby, Hughes was once a ‘Join The Futsal Revolution' Ambassador for the Rams, a futsal project back in 2012. Hughes said: “Futsal is fast, fun and relatively easy to pick up.” Derby County Football Club said: “Hughes is the face of the campaign as he used to play Futsal as a youngster, using the game to develop his talent before signing professional forms with the club earlier this year – before stepping up to the first-team squad this season to become a key player in Nigel Clough’s plans.” Due to competition for places at Vicarage Road, Hughes had to wait until November 2017 to make his full Premier League debut, a 3-2 defeat against Everton. But it was his next game which announced his arrival, with a Man of the Match performance against West Ham, by scoring and assisting in the Hornets 2-0 victory. After finding the net against Newcastle and losing against Manchester United in his next two games, Hughes was ruled out for some time with injury, but it's likely that we'll be seeing him again in the Premier League next season.

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FUTSAL IS FAST, FUN AND RELATIVELY EASY TO PICK UP. 52

@futsalflair

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Photo from: Watford Observer

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IT HELPS YOU REMAIN MORE COMPOSED ON THE BALL. AND MAKES YOU WANT THE BALL MORE. It’s been a fall from grace for Micah Richards, as the former Premier League champion with Manchester City and an England international is now applying his trade in the Championship with Aston Villa. However, Richards used futsal to add his technical ability to his incredible physique to play at the highest level of football for both club and country. “I improved my technique by playing futsal,” Richards told BBC Sport. “It helps you remain more composed on the ball. And makes you want the ball more, so you can do something with it. I did some training with a guy called Simon in Roundhay Park, Leeds. We use to train with smaller balls and used to have learn tricks. It is supposed to help with your touch and technique so that when it comes to playing with a bigger ball it is a lot easier,” Richards told AVFC. Whilst Aston Villa are currently

in a play-off position in the Championship, Richards hasn’t featured at all under manager Steve Bruce in the 2017/18 season. After having a torrid time at centre-back and lacking the fitness to play in his original position, lets hope that the 29-year-old is able to rekindle some of his powerful, marauding runs at right-back. “I started when I was about nine or 10. It definitely helped because a guy of my size shouldn’t really have played right-back. But it helped my attacking and being comfortable on the ball going forward and trying to drive into positions.”

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MICAH RICHARDS Photo from: Metro

@futsalflair

BEN DAVIES After rising up through the Swansea youth system, Ben Davies was a vital team member in securing the Welsh team’s Premier League status. After two seasons in the top flight, Davies was bought by Tottenham Hotspur to provide cover and competition for Danny Rose. The Wales international, who helped his nation in reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016, has now found a regular first team spot for Spurs. It all sounds like a simple progression into becoming a top athlete and Premier League footballer, but this isn’t the case. Not many people would know that Davies had a three-year spell living out in Viborg, Denmark at the age of eight-years-old, due to his father finding work in the Scandinavian country. And Davies says the winter days of playing futsal in Denmark helped his technical development, more than it would have done if he stayed in Wales. “In the winter in

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Wales, playing on grass pitches you can’t pass the ball and 50 per cent of games are called off because of the weather,” Davies told the Telegraph. “Every winter in Denmark, we used to play indoor football on handball courts. It was all about technique and passing and moving. It makes you learn a lot at that age.” The 25-year-old has been seen as a consistent, all-round performer who I believe is quite underrated. He’s another reason why Tottenham are constantly pushing to remain in that Premier League top four.

IT WAS ALL ABOUT TECHNIQUE AND PASSING AND MOVING. 54

@futsalflair

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Photo from: Evening Standard

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PASSING MOVES AND INTERCHANGES MORE OFTEN END WITH A GOALSCORING CHANCE. Despite being capped for the German national team, former Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham player Lewis Holtby was eligible to play for England through his English father, a former soldier stationed at Monchengladbach. However, the Everton supporter chose to represent his native country at the age of 20-yearsold under

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manager Joachim Low. And before he became an national footballer, Holtby utilised the German FA’s (DFB) futsal programme when he was younger. “Young players in particular can learn a huge amount from futsal,” Holtby told the DFB. “The heavy ball means it’s in play for longer. Passing moves and interchanges more often end with a goalscoring chance.” The 27-year-old might not have reached his full potential, only representing his country three times and only starting a handful of games for Hamburg this season. Whilst injuries have halted his progression and to maintain a first team role, Holtby is still an energetic midfielder, who has always played in the top flight of England and Germany so far in his career.

LEWIS HOLTBY Photo from: Getty Images

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Umbro proudly sponsors FUTSAL FOCUS, the world's first futsal business conference.

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ONE TO WATCH Despite only playing his first season in the National Futsal League at the age of 27-years-old, NATHAN PRIME is passionate about the sport and is determined to get Aylesbury up the divisions. LOUIS PORCELLI AYLESBURY FUTSAL CLUB

@futsalflair

efore Nathan Prime found futsal and Aylesbury, his dad was a big influence on his sporting choice, like so many fathers are in the UK. “I joined my first football team aged 6-years-old with my school friends. I was always playing football, whether it be; at school, in the garden, with friends on the street or in the park," explained Prime. "My dad was really into football, playing in the Watford FC Academy as a youngster before quitting the game. He supported

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Man Utd which I followed, so growing up football was always around me.” Like so many young footballers, the brutal nature of professional football academies can take a toll on your confidence, but Prime kept his faith in his own ability and persisted to play at the highest possible level he could. “I had trials with Fulham FC aged 14 and when I wasn’t successful it slightly affected my belief,” admitted Prime. “I played youth football up to the U18s level, ending the last season in youth

football winning the Bedfordshire League Cup and County Cup double, playing the final at Kenilworth Road. At that time I was also playing Men’s Football for two seasons at Brache Sparta FC in Luton.” Nathan studied Sports Development at the University of Portsmouth, but that’s where he first found the sport that he loves today. “I moved down to Portsmouth and stopped playing football competitively but would always play with friends and 5 a-side,”

futsal again. “After two years of coaching futsal and growing a love for the game, I started a Futsal Team – Futsal Streetball FC - with some friends and youth players I had coached while I was managing the U16s,” explained the 27-year-old. “We entered a local league ran by the Hertfordshire FA. In our first two seasons we won back to back League Titles, along with the League Cup and managed to get into the Preliminary Futsal FA Cup Round. My teammate and good friend Ali finished top goal scorer and I finished second. We had 66 goals combined.” With how well Nathan Prime performed for Streetball FC, it attracted the interest of Aylesbury Futsal Club and he’s really enjoying the atmosphere that Aylesbury has to offer. “One of the teams in our League at the time was Aylesbury Futsal Club, who invited me and Ali to join the club for their first season in the National League Division 2 – Midlands 2017/18,” explained

admitted Prime. “I first played futsal with friends in a University intra-mural league in 2009. I wasn’t aware of the game previously and just took part as a social and fitness thing with friends. Once I graduated I began playing football again in the Bedfordshire County League, where I have been playing for the last four years.” It wasn’t until two years ago when Nathan actually started playing futsal for an actual team. And it all came about through coaching the sport on a regular basis before he wanted to play

Prime. “I enjoy the team spirit, everyone is welcoming - it’s a Futsal Family. And also personally the opportunity to play at a higher level; I enjoy that I am always learning and developing myself as a futsal player, but also my understanding of the game, which I hope will help with my coaching skills." From an outside perspective, it looks like Aylesbury are going in the right direction, as their squad has a real blend of players with different backgrounds and futsal experience. “At Aylesbury we have an exciting team with some experienced players who have played futsal in Brazil and Portugal, then you’ve got young players coming through and players like myself who have grew up on football, but making the transition over to the futsal style of playing,” explained the Managing Director of Prolete Management UK. “I enjoy travelling to play new teams and the level of competition is always good with intense games

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I ENJOY THE TEAM SPIRIT, EVERYONE IS WELCOMING IT'S A FUTSAL FAMILY

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NATHAN PRIME @futsalflair

all the way to the end.” Due to Aylesbury’s mixed bag of players at the club, Prime has a number of quality players to play with, but one of his Brazilian teammates stands out from the rest. “The best player I’ve played with is Leandro Paiva, he is a player with me at Aylesbury, who was playing futsal in Brazil before he came to the country," stated Prime. “So he has good experience in the game and you can tell by the way he naturally controls the ball and moves on the court. He has dangerous footwork, stepovers, that have left many ankles sore, and a powerful left foot.” Whilst playing football at youth and men’s level, along with 5-a-side experience, Prime believes that he has both the technical and physical skills needed to play futsal. “I would describe myself as a creative player, with flair, strength,

determination and an eye for goal,” suggested the Lutonian. “I feel I can offer the team strength in both defending and attacking. My best attribute I would say is my creativity and foot control, being able to see a pass, execute a pass using a range of techniques or in a variety of situations - to me I enjoy an assist as much as a goal.” To keep his progression going, Prime observes videos of technically gifted footballers, futsallers or freestylers in his spare time to try and soak up us much knowledge as he can. “Close control movement with the ball in tight situations is something that has really developed as a strength [of mine] over the last couple years,” suggested the Aylesbury star. “It has helped improve my confidence on the ball under pressure. I always watch videos online of my favourite freestyle and street ballers like Issy Hitman, Easy

Man, Falcao, Rico Zulkarnain, F2 freestylers etc. So after I usually get a few ideas and enjoy practicing little moves and skills to improve my control.” With five goals in seven games for Aylesbury, Prime was in good form before he picked up an injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season. “This season I feel I have performed well, especially for my first season in the National League, but I always think I can improve. I contributed for the team in assists and defensively – though I now have an injury that has ruled me out for a couple of months and miss the end of the season. However, being someone that strives on improving I will be working hard to improve my overall game and performances for next season. And I am eager to get back to full fitness.” Aylesbury are currently fourth in the Division 2 Midlands League

Photo from: Aylesbury Futsal Club

Prime (right) up against Escolla Futsal Development Team goalkeeper Jack Walsh (middle) 62

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Photo from: Aylesbury Futsal Club

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A CREATIVE PLAYER, WITH FLAIR, STRENGTH, DETERMINATION AND AN EYE FOR GOAL

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NATHAN PRIME and were defeated in the FA Futsal Cup Second Round against University of Derby at the end of March, but Prime is upbeat about their league performances. “My target for this season was to finish in a respectable position in the league and to go as far as possible in the FA Cup. League wise we have achieved that target, but next season our target will be to challenge for the league and move into the 1st Division.” As Prime previously said, he only got into playing futsal through coaching the sport. He’s gone from coaching futsal sparingly, to regular club and community sessions where they're inspired by street football, which Wayne Rooney used to help become Manchester United and

England's all-time goal scorer. “I started coaching at around 18-years-old, although it was never regular and would be helping out friends who were managing teams,” explained Prime. “But it is something I have always felt interested in. I started coaching regularly when I was 23-years-old, managing an under 13s football team in Luton [back] in 2014. Me and a friend created our own team from the local community called Futsal Streetball. We were inspired by the street style of the game, futsal techniques and movements.” Since Prime has been coaching, he has really seen the difference futsal has had in young athletes and is hoping to progress with his futsal coaching badges in the near future.

“I had my level 2 football coaching award at the time and recently had my futsal Level 1, so I began combining the two together and really noticed how futsal can really benefit football players in gaining confidence, technique, mental quickness, skill and overall game involvement,” suggested Prime. “I have recently sent my application to do my UEFA B Level 3 Futsal coaching badge which if successful will begin in September. As I wish to improve my coaching skills and knowledge, which I hope can add to my own player development.” Here’s to Nathan Prime to getting back to full fitness, helping Aylesbury earn promotion to National League Division 1, and with his coaching career.

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FUTSAL ABROAD

Whilst England is making progress with exposure for the sport, foreign futsal players still notice a significant difference when they play the game in the UK. LOUIS PORCELLI POND5 & VIDEOBLOCKS 64

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Ricardinho lifts Portugal's first ever Futsal European Championship after beating rivals Spain

Photo from: UEFA

utsal in the UK is constantly taking significant steps forward in its progression as a sport, trying to become professionalised and increasing its participation. Back in 2015, 15,000 boys and girls aged 10-16 played in the National Youth Futsal Festival, 10,500 youth footballers play futsal in the winter months to escape the problem of waterlogged pitches. Also 1,200 teenagers enrolled on the Football League Trust Scholarship programme with BTEC qualifications. Not only that, but the England futsal national team are slowly climbing the rankings, who are now 54th in the world. However they’ve got a long way to go before they start competing with the 2018 European Champions Portugal. For England to even get to the finals of a European Championship, they’ll have to introduce the sport to children at a younger age like the Portuguese. Tiago Pacheco Jorge Da Cunha Leitao, played for Club Futsal Sassoeiros for eight years in Portugal, before travelling over to England for studies. “I was introduced to futsal at

the age of five when my mum first took me to a training session by surprise,” said Leitao. “There are way more opportunities to play futsal in Portugal than in England, as there are various regional and district wide clubs and championships that we can take part in.” At the highest level in Portugal, there are 14 teams in the Liga Portuguesa such as Sporting CP (the current league holders and also have a record 14 titles to their name), Benfica and Braga. Below that, you have 28 teams across two 2a Divisao’s, and have 56 teams across three 3a Divisao’s. The Portugal national futsal team is currently ranked fourth in the world and Leitao who plays for the University of Bedfordshire futsal team, believes it’s on the same level of importance as football in his home country. “Futsal is nowhere near as

popular in England as it is in Portugal. Futsal is almost as important as football in Portugal,” explained Leitao. “Futsal is far more developed and appreciated by the public in Portugal. In England I tend to have to explain to people what futsal is.” Portugal owes a lot to their captain and the best futsal player in the world for 2018, Ricardinho, who at 32-years-old became the all-time leading goal scorer in the Futsal Euro’s history. There were shades of the football Euro 2016 final in the futsal Euro 2018 final. Cristiano Ronaldo was injured and had to be substituted in the 2016 final. The same happened to Ricardinho in 2018, but he had already made his impact by scoring Portugal’s opening goal, before being replaced in extratime and eventually winning 3-2. Ricardinho is an example to Leitao’s claim, that Portuguese players are more technically gifted.

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“Portugal has the better technical players, and is far more aggressive than futsal in England,” claimed the 19-year-old. “Futsal in England is played in a very tactical way, but in Portugal it is also played with great tactics. [Portuguese] players seem to be more intuitive and play in a way that looks fun.” Aaron Gunsha Malagon, played for C.D. Son Olivia for four months, a futsal club in Majorca, before becoming a teammate

of Leitao’s at the University of Bedfordshire. And Spain takes a similar approach to their neighbouring country to what age they introduce the sport. “Futsal is a common sport in Spain. Most primary/secondary schools have their own futsal team starting at a young age,” said Malagon. “I was properly exposed to futsal and its rules when I joined the futsal club at the age of 12. Spain has more opportunities, as the club where I played had at least five categories/teams depending on the age.” The 2018 Euro’s wasn’t televised in the UK, as residents had to stream matches on YouTube. As the general public isn’t exposed to the sport, people can’t become aware of the differences from futsal to five-a-side football. However, Spanish television broadcast matches throughout the country. “In Spain, futsal matches from the 1st division would be on TV via sports channels,” explained the 22-year-old. “Sometimes I do have

to explain it [in England]. I think people in England think futsal is just football indoors, but don’t know that there are rules different from football." The 2nd ranked nation’s top two futsal leagues are professional, whilst England doesn’t have any professional leagues. In Spain’s Division de Honor, they have 16 teams which include champions Movistar Inter FS and FC Barcelona. Their Segunda Division have another 16 teams with a FC Barcelona B Team, showing the club's importance for futsal. The Segunda Division B has 7 groups of 16 teams each, whilst the Tercera Division has 24 groups of 16 teams each, showcasing the vast depth Spain have in their league system. Juan Noel played for Red Galacticos FC for two years, a futsal club in the South-Eastern Asian country of Malaysia. “I was introduced to playing competitive futsal through a peer of mine, who was playing for Red Galaticos FC at the time,” said Photo from: Slovenia Times

Spain celebrating their seventh Futsal European Championship back in 2016 66

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Photo from: Malaysia FA Noel. “I began playing futsal at the age of 15.” Despite Malaysia being ranked seven places below England in 61st, Noel believes that more people engage with futsal in his home country, but he’s seen the sport's growth in England first hand. “I believe more people engage with futsal in Malaysia as compared to England,” suggested the 25-year-old. “I have personally experienced playing futsal in England for the University of Bedfordshire and it was evident that the popularity of the sport is increasing. Also, many players

especially at the university level have been exposed to futsal lately.” Despite the ranking difference, Noel backs Malaysia’s technical ability over their physicality. “I would have to say Malaysian players are technically sounder compared to English players, whereas English futsal is much more physical,” said Noel. However the ex-University of Bedfordshire player was impressed with the set up of futsal leagues and competitions in England during his time in the country. “I would say one big difference would be that the intensity of the game is much higher in

England compared to Malaysia. However, the organisation of leagues in England creates more opportunities for players to grow in the sport whereas in Malaysia there is still a lack of development in the sense of having more leagues and competitions,” suggested Noel. Malaysia’s Futsal Kebangsaan League only has 10 teams in it, and Malaysia’s national team finished runners-up to Thailand at the AFF Championship (their last international tournament). Their can’t be too much complaints about Malaysia futsal however, as their ranking is much better than their 170th place in the FIFA football rankings. There’s the cycle, where the greater participation equals to greater clubs and leagues in a nation. Therefore it increases the quality of a country’s national futsal team. England can definitely take a leaf out of Portugal’s and Spain’s book by introducing the sport at a much earlier age to start the cycle of progression.

Photo from: BullsTV

Juan Noel (right) in action for the University of Bedfordshire against East Anglia @futsalflair

GLOVES, FINGERLESS OR BARE HANDS? LOUIS PORCELLI LOUGHBOROUGH FUTSAL We talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the three different options futsal 'keepers have when it comes to gloving up in this month's

Keepers' Corner.

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Keepers' Corner

Photo from: Peterborough United FC

Peterborough United futsal GK Louis Bland would have came from a football background

hen it comes to football, you know what your goalkeeper is going to be wearing. Full fingered goalie gloves - the only thing you’ve got to guess is what brand they wear. When it comes to futsal however, you never know what you’re going to come up against. Many goalkeepers who have initially come from a football background will still wear full fingered football gloves for familiarity. It also provides protection and increases the chances of catching the ball with better handling. The downside of wearing these gloves whilst handling the size four ball is when you distribute the ball by hand. It can be a lot harder to throw the ball with the accuracy, trajectory and power needed to find one of your teammates, with a dodgeball style throw. It’s very rare that you see any professional goalkeepers wearing this type of glove, and you’ll see what their favourite options are in the following.

Photo from: Precision

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Photo from: Elite GK

Mark Croft (left) and Jonny Simm (right) both sporting their Elite GK fingerless futsal gloves If you feel that football gloves are starting to become bulky, the next progression would be fingerless futsal gloves. Brands such as Precision, Puma, HO and England Elite make these gloves available for futsal goalkeepers who want the familiarity of the glove padding but the close grip on the futsal for distribution. It does take time getting use to the pair, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a solid combination of bare hands and goalie gloves. These types of gloves are used by England goalkeepers Jonny Simm of Helvecia and Mark Croft of Italian team ASD Volare Polignano.

Photo from: Futbol Emotion 70

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Keepers' Corner Whereas the hardcore futsal goalkeepers, who are usually very experienced in a futsal goal, will played bare handed. If you jump straight from gloves to bare handed though, it can be quite a shock to your hands and will take a while for them to get used to the sting from the shot, depending on the brand of futsal (padding or not). It doesn’t offer much protection, but a lot of ‘keepers tape up their finger joints and wrists. After training without gloves, you’ll be surprised that your hands are much stronger than you thought, and the lack of gloves doesn’t take too much away from your handling ability. Plus the better distribution from the hands can make it a solid option. Only Dylan Malpas, Uni of Nottingham, from the current England goalkeepers decides to tape up his hands and plays without gloves.

Photo from: 181 Keepers

Dylan Malpas playing with taped up fingers and wrists In my opinion, you should do what you feel comfortable with. But if you want to try out the different options, take your time with trying it out in training before using it in matches. Good luck to all you futsal goalkeepers trying out all of the three options on offer.

Photo from: Zimbio

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Split Save Stretching Photo from: TEGK

or a lot of goalkeepers who are transitioning from football to futsal, the use of their feet when making saves increases. Because of the habits you’ve had during football, you’ll be more comfortable making low diving saves at the start. But you’ll find that with more training sessions and matches, you’ll start making more and more leg/foot saves. This isn’t because you’re getting lazier; it’s just more natural in a futsal environment to go with your feet for low shots. You know that with your arms, you can cover the top half and with your legs, you can cover the bottom of the goal. The coverage does depend on your level of flexibility however. The more flexible a futsal goalkeeper is in his or her lower half of the body, the quicker the legs can get into the position required and can stretch the legs further to get more coverage of

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the goal. This can also effect a goalkeeper’s ability to perform a split save, which is often used by the ‘keeper when the ball is played to the back post, requiring to get low but also as big as possible.

To improve your flexibility and in turn improve your split save, stretching and getting comfortable in the required position will make all of the difference.

Keepers' Corner

Step 1

Start by kneeling on the floor and keep your back straight and upright. Stretch your leg out all the way to the side, with your foot pointing forwards.

Step 2 Turn your foot upwards to the sky, whilst maintaining your original shape of knee to the ground and leg outstretched. This should then start to activate your hamstring muscle. To increase the intensity of the stretch, reach down and to the side to grab onto the foot.

Step 3 Whilst keeping your leg out to the side, sit back onto the knelt leg and hold your position.

Step 4

After the position starts to become more comfortable, kneel back off your back leg and swing your back leg round to the other side of your body. The leg will be bent and uncomfortable to start with, but it will ease and straighten over time.

Step 5

When you feel the time is right, try to maintain the split position whilst sitting on the floor. You might not be able to reach this step at the first time of trying, so make sure you realise your body’s limits and don’t cause any injury to yourself. Repeating this stretching exercise on both sides will only improve your flexibility and will in hand provide you a better technique when performing the split save. It’s just all about the decision making of when to utilise it. I personally use this exercise whilst working on my hand eye co-ordination at the same time. I get into the split save position whilst in front of my Crazy Catch Rebounder, where I catch and throw a tennis ball with one hand.

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Shoot Like Barcelona E

veryone loves a shooting drill, whether if you’re an outfielder or a goalkeeper. But this drill will not only work on your players shooting technique, but it works on their concentration, delivery and timing of their runs as well. This drill can be used during a training session or during a warmup before a fixture, as used by the Barcelona Futsal Team. The more futsals and players you have at your disposal, the longer the drill will continue for and no breaks will have to occur.

Photo from: FC Barcelona This drill can simulate a kickin tactic for the team prior to a match, and showcases the importance of shooting/crossing to the back post, as a number of goals are often scored from this position on the court. Also, the run and the timing of the movement from the player is arguably just as important as the delivery. Without a runner getting in at the back post, a goal won't be scored in this drill. This attribute will hopefully be ingrained into your players.

Photo from: FA

Playing the ball to the back post is vital within futsal 74

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Step 1: Place the ball on the line and roll the ball in front of you, onto the court from the kick-in. Step 2: After the kick-in, go to the back of the queue of players on the same side where you started. Be prepared for the kick-in roll, where you’re expected to play the ball to the back post first time, for a runner from the other side of the court. Step 3: After you perform your cross, hold your position and wait to make the run to the back post, as a cross from the other side of the court will be performed by a teammate. After timing your run, you’ll be expected to finish the ball first time, and at least get the shot on target and test the goalkeeper. Step 4: After you’ve had your shot on goal, retrieve the futsal and go to the other side of the court. Queue for the kick-in situation and repeat the previous stages.

Coaches' Corner

P H A S E 1

Step 1 Step 2

P H A S E 2

Step 4 Step 3

KEY

PASS/SHOOT @futsalflair

RUN 75

LEAGUE TABLES * FA League Tables are correct as of the 5th May 2018

FA SUPER LEAGUE 2017/18

PL GD PTS

London Helvecia

Reading Escolla

Birmingham

Cambridge United

-2

London City

Manchester

Salisbury United

20 -24 23

Oxford City Lions

16 -17 20

Loughborough

York City

19 -23 18

Tranmere Rovers

20 -46 12

Genesis

19 -65

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-8

FA DIVISION ONE NORTH 2017/18

GD PTS

Durham

Uni of Nottingham

Kettering

Sheffield

-30

Liverpool

-21

Atletico Birmingham

-34

FA DIVISION ONE SOUTH 2017/18

PL GD PTS

Sussex

ProFutsal London

London United

Bristol City

-6

Kickers

-4

Saints Foundation

-23

Enfield & CM

-24

West London

-29

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FA DIVISION TWO NORTH 2017/18 1

Bolton

Loughborough Dev

Durham Dev

Manchester Dev

10 -10 13

Uni York/York Dev

-11

Tranmere Rovers Dev 10 -60

FA DIVISION TWO MIDLANDS 2017/18

PL GD PTS 9

Reading Royals

Worcester

Aylesbury

10 -10 13

Kettering Dev

Cambridge Dev

-61

Reading Escolla Dev

FA DIVISION TWO SOUTH 2017/18

PL GD PTS

London International

12 39

Basingstoke

12 25

Newham Sports

ProFutsal London Dev

London Elite

-1

Chelsea

-5

Braintree

12 -69

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FA WOMEN'S NORTH 2017/18

PL GD PTS

Morcambe

Tranmere Rovers

Manchester

Liverbird

-9

Liverpool

-97

PL GD PTS

FA WOMEN'S MIDLANDS 2017/18 1

Wrexham

Uni of Nottingham

Kettering

-13

Loughborough

-21

Birmingham

-54

FA WOMEN'S SOUTH 2017/18

PL GD PTS

South London

Fusion

ProFutsal London

FC Enfield

-32

London United

-32

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