Iran grouped with Italy and Taiwan in Malaysian futsal event

May 7: THE inaugural KL International 5s (Futsal) tournament will, despite the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic, proceed as planned at the Putra Stadium on June 3-8. 

And to prove the worthiness of the tournament, which offers US$150,000 (RM570,000) in prize money, world champions Spain and Brazil will be lead-ing the challenge.

Spain and Brazil, masters of this version of soccer, are surely the favourites but fans can expect to witness some top quality action from the rest as well.

“The Cabinet has given us the mandate to host the KL 5s for three years depending on how successful this year’s tournament is, and I am sure that it will be successful,” said Sports Minister Datuk Hishamuddin Hussein in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

Hishammuddin had earlier presided over the draw which saw the 12 teams divided into four groups.

Group A consists of Spain, Russia and Indonesia while Group B has Brazil, Asean champions Thailand and England. Group C will see Holland, who are also a powerhouse, Japan and Malaysia while Group D has Italy, Asian champions Iran and Taiwan.

FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said there are plans to have a futsal league in Malaysia.

“Futsal has really caught the imagination of many and FAM has plans to organise a league. We intend on going big,” said Tengku Abdullah.

The KL 5s champions will win US$50,000 in prize money while the runners-up will receive US$25,000. The two losing semi-finalists will receive US$10,000 each.

The preliminary round group winners will advance to the semi-finals but the tournament won’t end for those who don’t win their groups.

Fashioned after rugby, there will also be a Plate and Bowl competition for the second and third-placed teams.

The four group runners-up will advance into the Plate semi-finals and the champions will win US$15,000. The runners-up will get US$10,000 while the losing semi-finalists will each get US$5,000 each.

The Bowl champions will get US$10,000, the runners-up US$5,000 and the losing semi-finalists US$2,500 each.

Group A: Spain, Russia, Indonesia; Group B: Brazil, Thailand, England; Group C: Holland, Japan, Malaysia; Group D: Italy, Iran, Taiwan.

Tickets: RM10 (adults), RM5 (children).