England Futsal squad set to start busy Autumn schedule

Saturday 03 Oct 2015
The England squad who played against Sweden in February
England’s Futsal team are about to embark on a busy autumn fixture programme as they build up to the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers in Israel at the end of October.  

In preparation for those qualifiers, Pete Sturgess’s side will play two friendly matches against Estonia in Tallinn on the 16 and 17 October.  

This is quickly followed by the qualifiers, against hosts Israel, Wales and Denmark in Tel-Aviv between the 22 and 25 October.  

Luke Ballinger darts past Simon Chekroun

England enjoyed a big win against a strong Sweden side in their last outing in February

November will then see Poland visit the Lion’s den at St Georges Park for two friendly matches on the 14 and 15 November.

England have high ambitions for the World Cup Qualifiers this month and will be hoping to top the group and head through to the Main Round in December in Hungary. 

But their success in Israel is very much dependent on the quality of their preparation in September and October to ensure that the squad are firing on all cylinders when they arrive in Tel-Aviv.  

They have already had a number of training camps during the early stages of the season before they face Estonia. 

Following the World Cup qualifiers, England will welcome a tough Polish team to St George’s Park. 

Poland are an established Futsal nation, ranked 20 places above England and a strong and physical side, who are ruthless in front of goal so this will not be for the feint-hearted.  

England Futsal head coach Peter Sturgess watches his side in action.

Futsal head coach Peter Sturgess and his side have held regular training camps at St. George's Park this season

But England gave the Poles a run for their money the last time the two countries met in Newcastle in 2013, narrowly losing 2-1 and leaving the court feeling rather hard-done-by.  

The last time England played in February saw the Lions stormed to a 7-3 victory against a strong Sweden side in London.  

And the group will be hoping that they can rediscover this momentum during this busy autumn period.  

However, the absence of two senior players will not necessarily help them with captain Ben Mortlock out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury and goalkeeper James Dalton having moved to Australia.  

It will certainly test the strength in depth of the England programme but also present opportunities for young players to come through and challenge for a place in the senior team.  

An interesting couple of months lie ahead for the England Futsal Team.

You can now purchase your tickets for England’s home matches against Poland on the 14 and 15 November 2015 (4pm kick-off both days) at St George's Park here.

By FA Staff