England 3-13 Romania
National Cycling Centre, Manchester
14 December 2004

The England Futsal team concluded their first season in International Football with a comprehensive 13-3 defeat against a well-drilled Romanian team at the National Cycling Centre, Manchester.

Futsal in Romania has enjoyed an unprecedented growth in the last three years to the extent that a nationalleague with three divisions has been established.

Many games are televised and attract capacity crowds. This has generated revenue that has allowed the Romanians to play in 22 International matches this year and as a consequence they are considered to be the rising force in European Futsal.

England’s task was never going to be easy and was made more difficult with the loss of two outstanding keepers – Jackson through suspension and Smith with a hamstring injury. Replacement keeper, Andrew Paxton, was brought in at 4.00 pm and was understandably nervous in his first Futsal international.

England started confidently and passed the ball well but their more experienced opponents seized on any mistakes and with two attacks were two goals to the good.

From then on England chased shadows for the rest of the half and could not match the speed, footwork and combination play of the Romanians. At half time England found themselves 8-0 down.

With such a daunting score line, England Coach Dell had to do his best to rouse his dispirited team. The second half saw England playing with huge effort and endeavour and this led to a far more competitive game.

Paxton was replaced by Sidall in goal and all around the pitch the England team doggedly attempted to close down their slick opponents. Whilst Romania added a further five goals to their half time total, England managed three themselves with Alex Sykes , Follett and Canham getting on the score sheet.

A loss of this magnitude, whilst understandable, was also sobering for the England management team. The programme for 2005 allows for additional training and competitive opportunities and all this will be required if the Team is to begin to make ground on their experienced opponents.