About Futsal

The origin of futsal can be traced back to Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1930 when Juan Carlos Ceriani devised a five-a-side version of soccer for youth competition in YMCAs. The game is played on basketball-sized courts, both indoors and out without the use of sidewalls. The term futsal is the international term used for the game. It is derived from the Spanish or Portuguese word for "soccer", FUTbol or FUTebol, and the French or Spanish root word for "indoor" or "room", SALon or Salle or SALa. Taken literally, Futbol means 'foot and ball' (i.e. playing outdoors) and futsal indicates 'Futbol in room' (i.e. playing indoors).

The game is frequently referred to as Five-A-Side. Once Ceriani got the ball rolling, futsal gained rapid popularity throughout South America, particularly in Brazil. The skill developed in this game is visible in the world-famous style the Brazilians display outdoors on the full-sized field. Pele, Zico, Socrates, Bebeto and other Brazilian superstars developed their skill playing futsal. While Brazil continues to be the futsal hub of the world, the game is now played, under the auspices of FIFA, all over the world, from Europe to North and Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Africa, and Asia and Oceania.

The first international competition took place in 1965, when Paraguay won the first South American Cup. Six more South American Cups were held through 1979, with Brazil winning all of them. Brazil continued its dominance with a victory in the first Pan American Cup in 1980 and won it again the next time it was played in 1984. A U.S. team took part in the 1984 cup, but finished out of the running.

The first futsal World Championship was held in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1982, with Brazil finishing in first place. The Brazilians repeated as champions at the second World Championship in 1985 in Spain, but lost in the third World Championship in 1988 in Australia to Paraguay. FIFA took over direct sponsorship of the event in 1989 in Holland and 1992 in Hong Kong. Brazil won both times. The U.S. futsal (Indoor Team), finished third in 1989 and second in 1992.

The highest showing by any team from the United States in a FIFA tournament until the U.S. Women's team won the gold medal in China for outdoor soccer.

The Third FIFA World futsal Championship was to be held November 24 through December 11, 1996 in Spain.

The first international futsal match in the United States was held in December, 1985, at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, Calif. The U.S. select team, defeated Australia, 9-5.

Devin Payton
DPGlobal@comcast.net

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