Futsal Head Coach Pete Sturgess writes ahead of tonight and tomorrow's game with Turkey

England Futsal v Turkey
Futsal Internationals
7.30pm, Friday 8 February 2013
3pm, Saturday 9 February 2013
Sporthouse, Barking
Click here for fixtures

England Futsal Head Coach Peter Sturgess writes for TheFA.com ahead of the games with Turkey on Friday and Saturday:-

This weekend, at the Sporthouse  in Barking, England  play hosts to a very experienced Turkey side as both countries continue their preparation for the main qualifying round of the 2014 Euro Futsal competition.

After the historic performances in Lithuania that saw England qualify for the Main Round for the first time, the squad must now refocus on the challenges ahead with two games against strong opposition.

Ironically, England travel to Turkey in March as they provide the venue for the Main Round so it will interesting to see how they approach these fixtures.

England have only played Turkey once and the visitors won a close game 4-3 with a very late winner but both teams have developed since the last game so an intriguing two matches are expected and eagerly anticipated.

In the Euro Main Round, Turkey have a lot more experience at the next level whereas England will be experiencing it for the first time.

This will provide many new challenges for the squad but the togetherness, teamwork and resilience built up over the last 12 months will provide a good base from which to work from.

The team are finding out what it takes to be competitive at the next level and with every new experience they are learning more and more.

Whatever the outcome of the two games, England will not stop from working hard, learning more and arriving at the start of every game with a determination to do well for themselves and for each other.

This attitude will intensify as we continue to work together and whatever the future holds, you can rest assured that England Futsal will have given everything they have in an attempt to be successful.