Thailand

6-1

England


International Futsal Friendly
Indoor Stadium, Huamark, Bangkok
13 November 2004

A modicum of respectability was achieved at the weekend, as the National Futsal squad preserved some dignity in their 6-1 defeat to the Thai team.

Those who attended the Indoor Stadium at Huamark, Bangkok, saw the home side produce a decent performance, ensuring continual squad rotation.

Dominating possession the Thai’s were rarely troubled and once again the defensive tactics employed by Graeme Dell only serving to keep the score line deficit down.

The home side always played with the advantage and with one eye on the imminent Futsal World Championships, were at times rather tame. With Brazil and Czech republic in their group, Gluacio Castro, the Brazilian coach will have to instil a greater urgency if they are to qualify from the group stage.

The English, showing good levels of fitness and the ability to compete for the duration, could be turning the corner in their futsal development, and whilst a defeat will always count against you, there was definite evidence of improvement.

On Sunday they face the African champions Egypt, whom are a completely different proposition and with the National Coach believing that: "Egypt has an outside chance of winning the World Cup in Taipei... it should be a match to savour."