England’s Futsal squad faced up to top-notch opposition at St. George’s Park this week, with Croatia visiting for a double-header.
Michael Skubala’s men knew they would be tested to the max by a nation rated over 40 places higher in the Futsal world rankings.
And in the first game on Sunday afternoon, despite an impressive first-half display, the Futsal Lions were on the end of a 4-0 defeat.
The teams met again just over 24 hours later, and following the announcement of the new Futsal Strategy earlier in the day, England looked much brighter and took a first-half lead into the break after James Webb's goal.
But Croatia’s possession play and incisive attacking paid off after half time as they struck back to take a 5-1 lead going into the final stages. A Robbie Betson goal restored some pride to reduce the deficit only for Croatia to score with one of the last kicks of the game in the dying seconds to make it 6-2.
The squad: Mark Croft (Guardia Perticara), Dylan Malpas (Birmingham Futsal Club), Jonny Sim (Helvecia Futsal Club), William Wallace (Toulouse Metropole FC Bruguieres), Stuart Cook (Helvecia Futsal Club), Raoni Medina (Helvecia Futsal Club), Richard Ward (Helvecia Futsal Club), James Webb (Reading Futsal Club), Will Rooke (Loughborough Futsal), Calvin Dickson (Helvecia Futsal Club), Russell Goldstein (Helvecia Futsal Club), Robbie Bettson (York City Futsal Club), Liam Palfreeman (Helvecia Futsal Club), Doug Reed (Sussex Futsal Club), Curtis Mason (Loughborough Futsal), Dean Withers (Birmingham Futsal Club)
Both games were streamed live on BBC Sport and you can watch the replays via the links below.
Sunday 23 September - England 0-4 Croatia
Monday 24 September - England 2-6 Croatia
