Saipan Tribune: Women Nationals add futsal to training

Sports

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Women's Nationals add futsal to training regimen

With a few days left until the 2nd Annual Marianas Cup, the CNMI Women's National Football Team continues to train intensively in preparation for their match against Guam's very best.

As part of the team's training regimen, head coach Nick Swain has added futsal as part of the women's weekly practices.

According to Swain, adding futsal to the training schedule was a great way to add some fun to the hard weekly trainings. “Futsal provides a lot of opportunities for touches on the ball, speeds up the game, and demands quick decision-making and good passing.”

Futsal is also known as five aside or indoor soccer and is a sport that demands quick reflexes, fast thinking, and accurate ball control. It is also referred to as the “great skill developer.” It is played on a basketball style court, with no walls and a low bouncing ball, requiring players to use their skill rather than the ball's bounce to propel it.

Veteran national player Lindsay Davis adds that playing futsal has helped the team to improve its first touches on the ball. According to Davis, “[as compared to football] futsal is a faster game that builds quick sport muscles and is a lot of fun.”

Swain further recommends that everyone play futsal. “You only need a ball and a flat surface. Many of the great football players in the world play this game.”

Last April, the NMI women's team suffered a 0-7 loss at the hands of Guam strikers at the GFA Complex and Training Facility Field in Harmon. This year the NMI will play host to this event at the Oleai Sports Complex on April 26 at 3pm. Pre-game activities are set to begin at 2:45pm. (NMIFA)