English World Cup Glory in Israel

26th October 2015

FIFA Futsal World Cup – Preliminary Qualifiers

Game 1: WALES 2 – 4 ENGLAND (22^nd October 2015)

Game 2: DENMARK 4 – 5 ENGLAND (23^rd October 2015)

Game 3: ISRAEL 1 – 3 ENGLAND (25^th October 2015)

Tel-Aviv, Israel

The England Futsal Team continues to raise the bar and set new standards for the development of the game in England over recent years, and this FIFA Futsal World Cup campaign is no different. England triumphed in Israel with consummate professionalism to achieve new heights and to be the first ever England team to make it through to the World Cup Main Round. And to top this success, the Lions did it with a 100% record during this qualifying round.

England arrived in a sunny Tel-Aviv facing a challenging task: host nation Israel were number one seeds (England were second seeds), Denmark are ranked only a couple of places behind England but have been making rapid progress over recent seasons, and home nation rivals Wales are always a thorn in the English sides and equally are a nation making steady improvements in their futsal programme. All four teams fancied their chances of topping the group and gaining the one automatic qualification spot.

England faced a tough opening game against the Welsh, and when Stuart Cook struck the post in the opening minute it looked like England were set to impose their authority on the game. But Wales had different ideas taking the lead after 3 minutes following a well-worked team-move. The Welsh then cleverly adopted spoiling tactics to interfere and upset the English passing rhythm by introducing the fly-goalkeeper early into the game. The additional Welsh outfield player allowed Wales to dominate possession and nullify the English attacking threat, preventing the Lions from finding their usual attacking fluency.

English captain Ian Parkes restored parity following a goalmouth scramble mid-way through the first half, only for Wales’ primary attacking threat Rico Zulkarnain to restore Wales lead a couple of minutes before half-time. England returned after the break better organised and prepared to challenge the oppressive Welsh fly-keeper tactics, and this paid quick dividends with Agon Rexha and Richard Ward scoring to make it 3-2 to England.

Wales persevered with their fly-keeper approach that prevented either team from finding any rhythm and never looked likely of catching the English defence unawares; and indeed a misplaced Welsh pass allowed Cook to fire from range into an open net to seal England’s win 4-2.

The Danish were next in line for the Lions, and they had impressed with a convincing win against Israel in their first game. Denmark started the game with a confidence and swagger to their play that suggested that they were unconvinced with England’s opening performance against Wales. But this was a serious misjudgement from the Danes.

The English big-hitters who had struggled to get into the game against Wales roared into life from the outset and ripped into Denmark. Stuart Cook was unplayable; after only 12 seconds he rounded a defender and slotted past the keeper with an exquisite finish to give the Lions the perfect start. Cook, Medina, Rexha and Reed were playing with intensity and pace that left the Danes in complete disarray. Cook scored a phenomenal goal after beating three defenders and the goalkeeper with breathtaking skill and composure to extend England’s lead after 6 minutes. Cook also played a key role in England’s third goal that resulted in the Jim Jensen conceding an own-goal after only 11 minutes.

Denmark were in a complete muddle and were reeling; they simply could not live with England’s passing and movement. Denmark resorted to the only approach they had left to limit further damage: the fly-goalkeeper that had been deployed so effectively by the Welsh the night before. This tactic broke up England’s dominance and reduced their possession, and slowly restored some calm into the Danish play and towards the end of the half Falck was able to make it 3-1 after a well-worked move.

After the break the impressive Raoni Medina extended England’s lead, but the Danes continued to try and stifle the Lions by deploying the fly-keeper. Defensively England switched off on two successive occasions for Falck to score two identical goals to suddenly bring the Danes back in to contention at 4-3. But England went up a gear to instantly respond through Ward, and although the Danes struck back with 5 minutes remaining through a Rexha own-goal to ensure a tense final few moments, they never looked likely of taking the game from the English. The Lions ended up 5-4 winners.

The Danish walked disconsolate from the pitch, and although the English were satisfied, it was not until they returned to their hotel that they realised what the Danes already knew: due to Israel’s earlier defeat to Wales, England had won the group and succeeded in qualifying to the Main Round.

England’s ecstasy was put on-hold until after the final match against the host’s Israel. Israel had disappointed throughout this tournament, and although played better in the final game were no match for the Lions who dominated from start to finish with a thoroughly professional display. Cook scored yet another outstanding solo goal to make it 1-0 at half-time. Medina added a second immediately after half-time following good work from Ward. The host’s hit-back towards the end of the game, but Ward put the game beyond doubt in the final minutes to make it 3-1.

England will now proceed to the Main Round of the World Cup in December for the first time, where they will face Hungary (hosts), Ukraine and Belgium; three high quality opponents. And whilst England impressed at points during the Israel qualifiers, it was evident that the Lions are capable of even higher calibre performances, particularly with the outstanding William Wallace still to return to the team to add further quality. England will need to be at their very best if they are to compete in the Main Round in December. Prior to that the Lions will host strong opposition in Poland in a double-header at St Georges Park on the 14^th and 15^th November as preparation.

GOALS

Game 1:

England: Parkes (8mins), Rexha (23mins), Ward (27mins), Cook (37mins)

Wales: Hugh (3mins), Zulkarnain (17mins)

Game 2:

England: Cook (12 secs, 6mins), Jensen (11mins, og), Medina (22mins), Ward (25mins)

Denmark: Falck (16mins, 23mins, 24mins), Rexha (34mins,og)

Game 3:

England: Cook (15mins), Medina (21mins), Ward (39mins)

Israel: Bilech (35mins)

ENGLAND TEAM

Parker (GK)