NEWS

Futsal Japan will play hosts Brazil in their opening match at the FIFA Futsal World Cup on September 30 in Brasilia, it was announced at the draw on Thursday.

Following the match with Brazil, who finished third in the 2004 contest in Chinese Taipei, Japan will play the Solomon Islands on October 4, Cuba on October 6 and Russia on October 8 in Group A.

In the 20-team tournament, the top two finishers from the four groups will advance to the second round – the de facto quarterfinals – slated for October 11-14 in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro. The semifinals will take place on October 16 and the third-place playoff will be held on October 18, all in Rio de Janeiro. The final will be staged on October 19, also in Rio de Janeiro.

Group B features Italy, the runners-up from the last tournament, as well as Portugal, Thailand, Paraguay and the United States. Group C consists of 2004 semifinalists Argentina, Ukraine, China, Guatemala and Egypt. Defending champions Spain are in Group D, along with Czech Republic, Iran, Uruguay and Libya.

"Playing Brazil in the first match could be to Japan's advantage," Futsal Japan coach Sergio Sapo said.

"Brazil will come to the game as the hosts with strong motivation and pride as they try to regain the world title. But in any tournament, even strong teams feel pressure in the first game and often don't play as well as they usually do."

The Brazilian coach added: "I always tell our players that nothing is impossible. We'd like to play our first game in a good way and move on to the final game with Russia in the group stage."

"Knowing who we will play, we'd like to use all our power to prepare for the World Cup," Sapo noted.

Draw:
Group A – Brazil, Russia, Japan, Cuba, Solomon Islands
Group B – Italy, Portugal, Thailand, Paraguay, United States
Group C – Argentina, Ukraine, China, Guatemala, Egypt
Group D – Spain, Czech Republic, Iran, Uruguay, Libya