Glorious summer sunshine welcomed everyone to the sixth annual FA UMBRO Futsal Finals at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield on Friday.
Day one of three days of Futsal, (4 – 6 July) saw the start of the qualifying group stage with four groups of four teams in the men’s and women’s competition. Only the top two qualify for the knockout stages, which would commence on Saturday afternoon.
This year’s competition was anticipated to be the most competitive and best yet. In the men’s competition, the majority of teams that successfully reached The Final compete in the recently formed FA Regional Leagues and this Final is an opportunity for the best teams from each of these leagues to show to what they are made of.
Last year's winners Ipswich Wolves came into The Final as favourites to retain the title, with London White Bear expected to be their closest challengers, followed by Tranmere Victoria.
The first day programme for the Men’s competition saw each team playing two out of their three group matches, starting in the early afternoon.
Group Matches Round-up – Day One
Men’s Competition
Group A
In the first Group A matches, Helvecia Futsal convincingly beat Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA (3-1), while Worcester University shocked the favourites Ipswich Wolves, with a 3-2 victory, a result making this group very interesting indeed, going into the second day.
Helveica Futsal faced the favourites in the second Group A matches and managed to hold Ipswich Wolves to a 1-1 draw. On pitch two, Worcester University seemed to be the new team to beat in their group after their first victory, but the glory was short lived when they fell to Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA who put in a strong performance to slot home four goals and keeping a clean sheet.
None of the qualification places in Group A were certain by the end of the day, with every team having a chance. Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA on paper had the toughest tie against last year's winners, who had yet to show their form and ability, whilst Helvecia Futsal need a draw to ensure their qualification.
Group B
Group B started as it finished on day one with lots of goals. Eight goals were scored in the game between Newham Genesis and Manchester Futsal Club, finishing on level terms at 4-4, whilst in the other group matches Sheffield FC beat Baltic Futsal Club by 4-3
The goals fest in this group continued in the second round of matches. Newham Genesis, even though they managed to score three goals, conceded seven against Baltic Futsal Club (3-7). The other tie saw another six goals, with Sheffield FC blasting five past Manchester Futsal Club, who did at least manage to get on the score sheet with one goal (5-1).
So Sheffield FC continued through to the knock-out stages and Baltic Futsal Club can join them and need a draw to ensure qualification. The remaining three teams can all steal that second spot if Newham Genesis beat Sheffield FC and the Baltic v Manchester game finishes in a draw. That means they will all have four points apiece, but Baltic at this stage have the advantage with a better goal difference.
Group C
Birmingham Tigers drew 2-2 against I security in the first round of games, while Corinthians were up against tournament contenders Tranmere Victoria, who failed to show their strength and lost 1-0 to their opponents.
Birmingham Tigers went onto to lose their second match against Tranmere Victoria (2-3), while the team of the group Corinthians thrashed I Security by 7-0.
Corinthians have already secured their place in the knockout stages, and
Tranmere look set to join them unless they lose their final match to I Security. The Birmingham Tigers seem to be out of the running if Corinthians play as well as they did in the first two games, but they may use this game as an opportunity to rest key players for the knockout stages so there is everything to play for for the second qualification spot.
Group D
Another group where the teams are not shy to score a few goals. FC White Bear – USSR comfortably beat Team United FC by 2-0, while Loughborough Students FC smashed Hull Futsal Club by 6-2.
Wins again for FC White Bear – USSR and Loughborough Students FC in their respective second matches as FC White Bear – USSR outclassed Hull Futsal Club, beating them 8-1, before giving another strong performance in a 6-1 victory over Team United FC.
Group D seems to already be settled before the final games on the morning of day two. With no way back for both Hull and Team United, both teams will try and retain some pride by sealing a consolation victory on Saturday.
Women’s Competition
The women’s competition began following the end of the men’s programme. The Futsal game has increased in popularity for women, with well established eleven-a-side teams having a go this year, in conjunction with playing in the UMBRO Fives competition.
Futsal is still relatively new for the Women’s game, so predicting favourites is a little harder as on the day any team can pull a quality performance out of the bag.
Last year's winners Watford Ladies, came into to competition looking to build on their performance in 2007, and are still the team to beat. One to watch for Watford though, is TNS Ladies.
The first day programme for the Women’s competition, saw each team play one group match, before they are to return on the morning of day two to play their remaining two matches before the final men’s games.
Group A
There was a change of teams from the original schedule, with Doncaster Rovers Belles replacing the Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA representative team and flying the flag for South Yorkshire. Doncaster Rovers Belles are new to the game of Futsal, having never played before at all. Their first match came against Loughborough Foxes and for a team that had never played Futsal before, they impressed with a very strong performance and a 7-3 victory. In the other Group A game, Team United also came out on top against Cambridge with a 5-1 win.
So Doncaster Rovers Belles WFC and Team United are favourites to reach the knockout stages after their performances.
Group B
Sheffield FC were the only team victorious in the Group B matches, beating Tranmere by 2-1. Yeovil Town FC managed a 2-2 draw with Bino Ladies FC.
Sheffield FC should qualify for the next stages after beating Tranmere and Yeovil looked to kill off Tranmere Victoria's chances of qualification by beating them in the morning, whilst hoping that Sheffield continue their winning streak and put Bino out of the running as they go into the third game.
Group C
13 goals were scored in the first round of matches in Group D. West Ham United Ladies hammered Worcester City by 8-0 and The New Saints Ladies beat Willesden by 5-0. It should be an interesting encounter when they face one another on the morning of Day 2.
The next matches on day two should be very interesting with the top two team’s ability to score goals. Worcester and Willesden need to win their next game to stay in contention to reach the knockout stages. After day one, The New Saints Ladies and West Ham look favourites to reach the knockout stages if they play as well as they did in their first games.
Group D
Last year's winners Watford Ladies started their campaign to retain the title with a steady victory against Dingle Ladies FC (3-1). Dingle are relatively new to the game of Futsal having only formed nine months ago, so it was hardly a bad result against reputably the best team in the country. In the other match, Rushden and Diamonds just squeezed an extra goal against South Downs College to win by 5-4.
There is still everything to play for in Group D, as long as South Downs and Dingle manage to beat Watford and Rushden in their second matches on the morning of day two. Both Watford and Rushden will be keen to confirm their qualification to the knockout stages before the third match, when they can rest key players.
