First Match Essential for Assessing Competitiveness, States Head Coach Before Women's Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers

New Delhi, Dec 24 (NationPress) The Indian national women's futsal camp is currently in full preparation mode in Bhavnagar, Gujarat for the upcoming AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers scheduled for next month. The year 2025 is set to usher in a new era for Indian futsal, as these qualifiers will represent the nation's first competitive entry into the women's game.

Just under two years ago, the Indian men's futsal team made its debut in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Tajikistan. Despite facing defeats in all three matches, India showcased commendable performance by scoring 10 goals and demonstrating an energetic and rapid style of play. The head coach at that time, Joshuah Stan Vaz, will also lead the women's squad in their inaugural international outing.

The Indian team is set to compete against Hong Kong on January 15, Indonesia on January 17, and Kyrgyzstan on January 19 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

From a pool of over a hundred athletes who participated in the selection trials in early November, the roster has been narrowed down to 18 players, who are currently in the final stages of their training. The first phase of the camp concluded on November 25, followed by the second phase starting on December 15.

In an interview with the-aiff.com from the Bhavnagar camp, head coach Vaz remarked, "We had given the girls a fitness program during the break between the camps. They have returned in quite good shape. Their fitness levels have been maintained. We have been focusing on our tactics, particularly the system we intend to implement during the tournament, including both attacking and defending. We are also refining our set pieces. This is what we have covered in the first week of the second phase, but there is still much work to accomplish in the coming two-and-a-half weeks leading up to the tournament."

Many participants, primarily from football backgrounds, lacked previous experience in competitive futsal and have had to adapt to playing on hard indoor surfaces. However, Vaz is pleased with their progress, stating that they have adapted better than he initially anticipated.

"I was somewhat uncertain at first, but the girls have truly proven me wrong in many aspects. They have adapted to tactics I thought would be challenging for them. Yet, they are learning and improving daily. Their grasping power is commendable. Transitioning from football to futsal posed some difficulty, especially since we are training on a wooden surface where the ball moves more swiftly compared to grass. It took them a few days to adjust, but they have acclimated well to the current environment," he explained.

"We had to start from the ground up, as even though a few girls had some futsal experience, it was not in the proper format. The rules and system had to be instructed from the beginning. It’s like a blank canvas for them, and they are in the process of learning to create. However, they have successfully adapted to the tactics and are beginning to comprehend the nuances. There is still a long journey ahead. Naturally, I cannot impart all my knowledge within three weeks. But we are addressing all critical elements, such as scoring effectively, defending proficiently, and minimizing concessions," added Vaz.

The top two teams from each group, along with the best third-placed team from all five groups, will secure a spot in the AFC Women's Futsal Asian Cup scheduled to take place in China in May 2025. Vaz believes this goal is attainable for India, despite the team facing seasoned opponents during their debut tournament. The primary aim remains to qualify for the event in China.

"We lack international experience, as the girls have never participated in an international match or even a friendly against foreign teams. Thus, the first match will be essential for them to gauge the level of competition required. Nevertheless, we are heading there to compete, not merely to fill numbers. Our objective is to qualify for the main tournament in China in May 2025," he stated.

Vaz emphasizes the importance of one-on-one skills, set pieces, and crucial minute details as he strives to cultivate a competitive squad.

"As a coach, I have conveyed to my players that we cannot afford to be outperformed in one-on-one scenarios. The current trend in futsal emphasizes these individual matchups. Since the playing area is smaller and consists of five players per side, losing a one-on-one can put the team at a numerical disadvantage. Conversely, succeeding in such a duel provides a numerical advantage for our team to score," he explained.

"Our concentration is on the small details within each system. These minutiae are vital; the broader perspective is secondary. This includes the individual responsibilities of each player, two-player combinations, and the goalkeeper's role. I am confident that once they grasp these small details, they’ll be able to integrate everything into the larger framework," Vaz noted.

Leading the Indian national teams of both genders in their inaugural tournaments positions Vaz as a trailblazer for the sport in the country. Although he takes pride in this achievement, he attributes much of his success to his father, Socorro Vaz, who founded the Youth Futsal Academy in Margao, Goa, in 2012, paving the way for futsal in India.

"Indeed, coaching the national teams is a significant moment for me and my family. My father is the true pioneer of futsal. I am simply continuing the vision he initiated. He conducted the first-ever Futsal Level 1 coaching course in India in 2011. The following year, he established the YFA, an exclusive futsal academy. Thus, I am carrying forward his vision," said Vaz.

"I am deeply passionate about this sport and my role as a coach. Every time I embrace the position of coach or coach educator, I commit myself fully. I believe that without challenge, life becomes rather dull. Therefore, I have embraced this challenge, aiming to impart all the knowledge I possess to the girls. I am fortunate to have a competent team alongside me - my assistant coach, Judon Dsouza, and goalkeeper coach, Veera Babu Sivaneni."

"Futsal does not aim to compete with football; it serves as an auxiliary, contributing to the development of superior Indian football players. This is the approach currently adopted by European, South American, and leading Asian nations," concluded Vaz.