Let's give some support to these guys too. They get very little coverage.
All the best to them. I hope they can perform to their level and beyond.
All the best to them. I hope they can perform to their level and beyond.
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Why did this get unstickied? Do we not care about our futsal anymore.
Recently friendly results:
v. Kazakhstan (D) - 2-2
v. Thailand (L) - 5-7
v. Japan (W) - 4-2
v. Uzbekistan (W) - 3-0
v. Uzbekistan (W) - 6-3Comment
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I hear Azerbaijan is the Qatar of Futsal when it comes to nationalizing players?Comment
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Yes, and alot of other sports.Originally posted by teammelli1 View Post
They're shameless. Their government doesn't want to spend their money on their own people.Comment
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Iran should never have Iranian coaches in anything. Therefore this would be a quick out.Comment
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Colombia 2016 in numbers
We are days away from the kick off of the eighth edition of the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016, where 24 teams have descended on the northern end of South America to battle it out for the title.
Being the eighth time the tournament has convened, following on from the delights on show at Thailand 2012, we thought we would whet your appetite for the upcoming action on the court with eight statistics on the competition to come.
292,161
is the number of spectators drawn to the last, and so far only, Futsal World Cup in South America. Brazil 2008 stands as the highest attendance for any edition by some stretch, attracting almost 70,000 more than eight years earlier in Guatemala – the second-best attended. Though, featuring fourteen fewer games, the Central Americans can argue their claim at being the most popular tournament yet, seeing an average of 400 more fans per game.
1,618
is the combined number of Futsal World Cup goals scored by this year’s 24 teams. While there may be four debutants at Colombia 2016, it is fair to say the remaining 20 more than make up for their fresh faces with bags of experience. Incredibly, 65 of those goals came in just two games: Russia’s 31-2 win of Solomon Islands in 2008 and Brazil’s 29-2 defeat of Guatemala in 2000, with those ranking as the two highest-scoring games in the tournament’s history.
48
is the number of goals Iran scored en route to the finals during Asian qualifying, more than anyone else in Colombia. No one managed to hold them to fewer than six goals until stepping out in the final – including 13 against Iraq and fellow qualifiers Vietnam – where Uzbekistan suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to see Seyed Nazemalsharieh’s goal-machines head on to the global stage as champions.
38
are the amount of centimetres that Cuba’s Brenieht Suarez will be towering over Ibrahim Eika of Egypt in their first game of the tournament. Both the tallest and the smallest players to travel to Colombia, the Caribbean goalkeeper stands at an imposing 197cm, while the Egyptian defender has more of a nimble 159cm frame. The youngest player at the competition could also feature in that game, with Diego Ramirez not due to turn 18 until 3 November.
11
club team-mates can be found in both the Azerbaijan and Vietnam squads here in Colombia. What these two debutants will be lacking in prior knowledge of the tournament itself, you can be sure that they will be well schooled on each other’s playing styles. When not on international duty, Azerbaijan’s 11 can be found plying their trade at Araz Naxçivan MFK, while Thai Son Nam FSC is where most of Vietnam’s charges call home.
9
goals was what it took for Eder to clinch the adidas Golden Boot at Thailand 2012, with the Russian striker netting more than three quarters of them in just a single game. The now MFK Gazprom-Ugra Yugorsk forward dealt another harsh blow to Solomon Islands – though not as heavy as their record victory in 2008 – to score seven in a 16-0 win. He returns this year and should he top the charts again, he will become the second to win back-to-back titles, matching that of Brazil’s Manoel Tobias.
8
is the number of consecutive tournaments that Argentina, Brazil and Spain have appeared at – the only three-ever present sides in Futsal World Cup history. 100 per cent of the titles so far have been snapped up by this trio too, with five going to Brazil and Spain garnering the other two. Can Argentina make it eighth time lucky in Colombia?
5
is all Brazil’s Falcao needs to score at the Futsal World Cup to become the tournament’s all-time top-scorer. The oldest player at this year’s tournament at 39 and stood on 38 goals, he trails his aforementioned compatriot Tobias’ tally of 43, but will match his mark of 31 games should he feature in their opener against Ukraine on Matchday 2.Comment
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Can anyone topple futsal's dominant duo?
Seven editions have come and gone, and it has always been the same story: either Brazil or Spain have claimed the trophy at each FIFA Futsal World Cup, from the inaugural edition (Netherlands 1989) to the most recent instalment in Thailand four years ago. Furthermore, in 2008 and 2012, the Spaniards and Brazilians contested the final between themselves.
With their tactical discipline, technical prowess and mental fortitude, the two superpowers have ruled the roost year in, year out. The other hopefuls have had no choice but to admire their exploits from the outside and learn from them. They have done just that, developing in step with their burgeoning sport. While the duo could arguably afford to have an off day in the past, that is no longer the case now, when they are being increasingly pushed to the max. Could a power shift be on the cards?
We are about to find out in Colombia, where the global showpiece kicks off this Saturday, 10 September, and runs until 1 October. A total of 24 teams go into the eighth edition of the competition seeking to shine on the world stage, with the cities of Cali, Medellin and Bucaramanga doing the hosting honours. While the big two will be bidding to maintain their stranglehold, they have challengers snapping at their heels, raring to build on the experience they have acquired and to ensure that history does not repeat itself.
Titanic trio head the bill
Brazil and Spain remain as hungry as ever and the rest of the world cannot say that they were not warned. The Seleção signalled as much by defending their crown in the South American preliminary tournament, overcoming old foes Argentina 4-0 in the final. That same day, La Roja dispatched Russia to become UEFA Futsal EURO 2016 champions. The Spaniards subsequently bounced back from a hiccup in the first leg of their World Cup qualifying play-off against Slovenia to book their ticket to Colombia in style.
Thirty-nine years young, evergreen attacker Falcao will be back in the mix to add to his legend, as will Je and Fernandinho, two long-standing team-mates alongside whom he has tasted much of his success. On the Spanish side, Juanjo, Carlos Ortiz and Fernandao also know the score, having been there and done it all before.
Italy boast similarly strong credentials and will be continuing to bank on the blend of youth, experience and individual brilliance through which they claimed third place at the last two editions and graced the final in 2004. Fresh off breaking the 100-cap barrier, Marco Ercolessi remains among the squad's mainstays, while fellow linchpins Sergio Romano, Gabriel Lima and Stefano Mammarella are on the brink of emulating this feat.
Chasing pack out to make the step up
There are several other countries with grounds to believe that they can gatecrash the podium party. Not least Russia, who have Eder Lima – the top scorer at Thailand 2012 – in their ranks, as well as a solid, settled defence behind him. Nerves and bad luck have got the better of the Russians at the business end of major competitions in the past, including in February this year, when they suffered a third straight defeat in the final of the EURO. To add insult to injury, this loss came against Spain, who dumped them out in Thailand. However, the Eastern Europeans have what it takes to scale the heights and, if they manage to ally their undoubted ability to the steely resolve that is required when the pressure is on, Colombia could witness a turning point in futsal history.
Portugal and Ukraine could also be gunning for glory if they are able to smooth out their rough edges. Both are forces to be reckoned with, but have lacked the X factor to match the top sides when push comes to shove, as was evidenced once again at the EURO. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, for their part, are less experienced, but have been making giant strides and Colombia 2016 could serve as a top-class finishing school for them.
The other South American heavyweights, meanwhile, have had enough of being put in the shade by Brazil. Paraguay and Argentina have endured a frustrating relationship with the World Cup, frequently coming close to making a real impact but always falling by the wayside before the home straight. The opposite is true of Colombia, who advanced to the semi-finals on their debut four years ago. They will be confident of going even further in their second adventure, especially as they have home advantage. The local fans will expect no less and their passionate support could make the difference at key moments.
Continued progress, another target
Undisputed top dogs at continental level with 11 titles, Iran are still waiting to carry that dominance over to the world stage. Team Melli, who posted the best defensive and attacking statistics en route to triumphing at the 2016 AFC Futsal Championship, head to Colombia stronger than ever and meaning business. Australia, on the other hand, are looking to continue their apprenticeship, as are Thailand, who graced the Round of 16 on home territory in 2012. Uzbekistan and Vietnam, meanwhile, will be featuring in the competition for the first time.
The usual suspects will be flying the flag for CONCACAF. Panama and Guatemala have both advanced to the second round on one occasion and their example should provide inspiration for Cuba and regional champions Costa Rica, who have never quite found their feet at World Cup level.
Where Africa is concerned, Morocco have two compelling extra pieces of motivation to give a good account of themselves in Colombia. Firstly, they will be desperate to make amends for what happened in their maiden global outings in 2012, when they lost all three games, and they will also be out to live up to their status as African champions. Egypt, for their part, are regulars at the tournament but have failed to set the world alight in their previous attempts, while Mozambique will be making their bow.
Solomon Islands have reigned supreme in Oceania, yet have struggled somewhat when far from home and outside of their comfort zone. Still, the islanders showed signs of improvement in 2012 and will be hoping to keep kicking on in this, their third campaign.
Two title-hogging titans determined to come out on top again, several promising pretenders who dream of leapfrogging them and a number of underdogs eager to cause a stir. All the ingredients are in place for a fascinating spectacle at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016. Let the action begin!Comment
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Matches CET - Time
Tuesday 13 september
Iran - Spain 03:00
Marocco - Azerbaijan 01:00
Friday 16 September
Azerbaijan - Spain 01:00
Iran - Morocco 03:00
Monday 18 September
Azerbaijan - Iran 01:00
Spain - Morocco 01:00
Matches: Local Time: City Medellin
Moday 12 September
Iran - Spain 20:00
Marocco - Azerbaijan 18:00
Thursday 15 September
Azerbaijan - Spain 18:00
Iran - Morocco 20:00
Sunday 18 September
Azerbaijan - Iran 18:00
Spain - Morocco 18:00Comment
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Just started, Egypt is leading Cuba 2-0Comment
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6-0 for Egypt half way through the second half, they look very goodComment
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uzbekistan losing 3-0 against panamaComment
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