Pakistan needs indoor facilities to promote futsal, says Enzo

KARACHI: Former Australian futsal player Enzo Oagostiuo on Monday said if Pakistan wants to progress in futsal it will have to establish indoor infrastructure for the game throughout the country.

“What we see here is football. It’s not a futsal as for it you need indoor facility, ”Enzo told The News here after the end of a friendly futsal outing between Brazil and Pakistan here at the Benazir Sports Complex.Brazil won the game 6-4 against the hosts, which had four players from Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and a few from Karachi and Hyderabad.

Enzo, who is also International Soccer Futsal Federation’s instructor, admitted that Pakistan was brimming with talent but it will have to go a long way to establish its position in the world.He said that Brazil is one of the mighty sides of the world, adding, its players start with futsal before switching over to football.

Enzo also coached Pakistan’s team in the recently held four-nation international futsal event in Islamabad which Brazil won after thrashing Pakistan 12-1 at the Jinnah Stadium Islamabad on Sunday.

The short-stature Enzo said he has come to Pakistan for three weeks during which he would also holding some conferences for the coaches. “I am also holding conferences for coaches and I hope it will help Pakistan in futsal,” said Enzo, who also coached Brazil in their friendly against Pakistan here on Monday.

Enzo also played for a few minutes in the game.During his stay at Karachi Enzo will also hold a two-day coaching course which will start here on Tuesday (today). He has already done similar course in Islamabad and will do a course in Gilgit Baltistan in the next few days.

Founded in 2014, Pakistan Soccer Futsal Association is on the verge of getting affiliation from the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB).The secretary of the federation Adnan Malik, who is also a former player of Punjab, told The News on Monday that they have associations in all provinces and regions of the country.

Earlier it was a thrilling game between Brazil and Pakistan futsal sides. Brazil was also represented by former Brazilian defender Cafu’s son Wellington De Morais who showed fine skills on the field. Duran emerged as hero for Brazil who hit a treble.

He was also joined on the scoresheet by Augusto de Silva, Jefferson and Wellington. Habib hit two while Junaid and Sameer Channu landed one goal each for the hosts. At half time it was 2-2. At one stage in the second half it was 4-4 before Brazil played aggressively to take it to 6-4 in their favour. Pakistan’s gloveman Sanaullah also saved a few goals.

KPT Chairman Rear Admiral Jameel Akhtar distributed prizes in the end.Former Pakistan’s captain Col (retd) Changezi, former Pakistan coach Tariq Lutfi, assistant coach Nasir Ismail and Pakistan Volleyball Federation’s (PVF) secretary Shah Naeem Zafar were also present on the occasion. Brazil will leave on Tuesday (today).