Anfield event brings positives to futsal in Pakistan
Karachi United captain demands more sponsors for future tournaments.
Karachi United players train in England for their matches in the Standard Chartered Cup. PHOTO: COURTESY KARACHI UNITED FACEBOOK PAGE
KARACHI:
Karachi United (KU) captain Humza Khan believes that the Standard Chartered Trophy, held in Liverpool, will highlight the growing popularity of futsal in Pakistan and inspire other players to come forward.
Humza, along with his team members, competed in the five-a-side tournament at Liverpool’s home ground Anfield earlier this week.
Although Pakistan failed to get beyond the group stage of the tournament that featured 13 other countries – winning only two out of six matches – Humza said that a Pakistani team competing in an international futsal event is a positive sign for the country’s football.
He emphasised that futsal is competitive and more accessible than the traditional 90-minute match and has less restrictions.
“Futsal is very popular because it requires lesser players; preparing a team for this format is easier than finding 11 players,” Humza told The Express Tribune.
“The game is more concentrated and exciting. Futsal gives us the opportunity to compete regardless of age. Hopefully after this event, other sponsors can come forward and Pakistan may get to play at the Standard Chartered Trophy in the future as well.”
Humza’s teammate Taha Alizai scored for Pakistan in their Group B matches. The other teams in the group were Malaysia, Europe, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
“Two of our players were injured while playing in the torunament, but we carried on,” said Alizai. “Interacting with players from other countries, where football is bigger than in Pakistan, was interesting.”
We got to see good football at Anfield: Barnes
Liverpool FC legend John Barnes was impressed with the level of competition the tournament had to offer, stating that his favourite team was Gambia, who had earlier qualified from among 59 other local teams to book their place at the main round in Anfield.
“This was a good competition,” said Barnes on the standard of the futsal competition. “Some teams performed very well; we got to see good football at Anfield.”
According to one of the Liverpool FC officials, futsal is in its initial phases even in the UK.
“Futsal is gradually gaining momentum in the UK,” said the official. “We ensure that it played at the school level, where children can get the taste of the game from an early age. Many amateurs prefer futsal because it’s a shorter format, and it still captures the essence of football in every way.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2014.
Karachi United (KU) captain Humza Khan believes that the Standard Chartered Trophy, held in Liverpool, will highlight the growing popularity of futsal in Pakistan and inspire other players to come forward.
Humza, along with his team members, competed in the five-a-side tournament at Liverpool’s home ground Anfield earlier this week.
Although Pakistan failed to get beyond the group stage of the tournament that featured 13 other countries – winning only two out of six matches – Humza said that a Pakistani team competing in an international futsal event is a positive sign for the country’s football.
He emphasised that futsal is competitive and more accessible than the traditional 90-minute match and has less restrictions.
“Futsal is very popular because it requires lesser players; preparing a team for this format is easier than finding 11 players,” Humza told The Express Tribune.
“The game is more concentrated and exciting. Futsal gives us the opportunity to compete regardless of age. Hopefully after this event, other sponsors can come forward and Pakistan may get to play at the Standard Chartered Trophy in the future as well.”
Humza’s teammate Taha Alizai scored for Pakistan in their Group B matches. The other teams in the group were Malaysia, Europe, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh.
“Two of our players were injured while playing in the torunament, but we carried on,” said Alizai. “Interacting with players from other countries, where football is bigger than in Pakistan, was interesting.”
We got to see good football at Anfield: Barnes
Liverpool FC legend John Barnes was impressed with the level of competition the tournament had to offer, stating that his favourite team was Gambia, who had earlier qualified from among 59 other local teams to book their place at the main round in Anfield.
“This was a good competition,” said Barnes on the standard of the futsal competition. “Some teams performed very well; we got to see good football at Anfield.”
According to one of the Liverpool FC officials, futsal is in its initial phases even in the UK.
“Futsal is gradually gaining momentum in the UK,” said the official. “We ensure that it played at the school level, where children can get the taste of the game from an early age. Many amateurs prefer futsal because it’s a shorter format, and it still captures the essence of football in every way.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2014.