Latest news with #FIFAFutsalWorldCup
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
3 Saskatoon players clinch spots in 1st FIFA Futsal World Cup
Canada Soccer's women's futsal national team — which features three Saskatoon players — won the inaugural CONCACAF women's futsal championship in Guatemala City last weekend, clinching a spot in the first-ever FIFA Futsal World Cup. Futsal is often compared to indoor soccer, but played in a smaller court with a few different rules. The fast-paced game has made its mark internationally, but is still growing in Canada and across the province. Saskatoon's Erica Hindmarsh, Jadyn Steinhauer and Jade Houmphanh are three of the 14 Team Canada players who beat Panama 8-2 to win the championship. University of Saskatchewan Huskie Coach Jenson Barandica-Hamilton also joined the team as an assistant coach. Barandica-Hamilton said he was "amazed" when the team, which had only started playing together earlier this year, was able to secure the win. "I don't think it has fully sunk in yet," he said. "What we were able to accomplish is really mind-blowing in a way, considering we beat some countries who had been preparing for years for this event, whereas our program is a very new program." Alex Derosa, head coach for the Canadian team, was given the opportunity to compete in the tournament at the beginning of January and did not start assembling the team until the middle of February, Barandica-Hamilton said. "It's a very, very quick turnaround in terms of putting together a national team and going to compete at international level," he said. Players like Humphrey, Hindmarsh and Steinhauer have been participating in futsal during their off-seasons from soccer, building on their decision making, technical ability, speed of play and creativity, Barandica-Hamilton said. MEDIA: 3 Sask. players help take home 1st women's futsal championship for Canada: Houmphanh, a defender for the team, was finishing one of her nursing shifts when she received a call from Barandica-Hamilton [her coach on the Huskies], who told her she would be one of the 14 girls invited to play on Team Canada. She said it "felt like a very surreal moment." Houmphanh first got into futsal for fun in 2016 after a former coach introduced it to her. Houmphanh said many people on the national team were surprised to see people from Saskatchewan playing, as most players were from Quebec and Montreal. "I feel like myself and my other two teammates that got selected have very unique qualities about ourselves that helped us stand out at the camp and then make the final roster." The team had no expectations coming into the competition and wanted to see "where they stood," Houmphanh said. In its first game against Costa Rica, Team Canada lost 2-3. Despite the result, the players gained confidence. "I think that really solidified us to just see the level that we were at compared to other teams." The team went on to win four straight games to win the tournament. Houmphanh said she hopes the success from winning the championship will show it pays to invest in women's sports and give women different opportunities to progress in their athletic careers. "I feel like sometimes we're overlooked compared to the bigger provinces," she said. "But there is talent, and there's a lot of good programs going on that is building the sport in our province." Team Canada is now set to compete at the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in the Philippines starting on Nov. 21. Barandica-Hamilton expects a "massive challenge" for his team, which will compete against countries that have professional futsal leagues like Costa Rica, Portugal, Mexico and Brazil. "But as I said, we're a team that is very 'live in the moment,' are very 'pride in what we do', and and we hope to represent well."
Winnipeg Free Press
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canadian women's futsal team celebrates CONCACAF triumph in first-ever outing
When Esther Brossard found out Canada was launching a women's futsal team, the 18-year-old wrote to newly appointed coach Alexandre Da Rocha to put her hand up. 'She said 'I just want to tell you I've played futsal. I think I'm pretty good at it and I think if you have a camp, I'd be happy to a participate in it,'' said Da Rocha. 'I knew who she was. She was part of my list already. But I thought the way she did it (showed) she wanted to be there.' Brossard made the team and repaid Da Rocha's faith by helping Canada win the inaugural CONCACAF W Futsal Championship on the weekend in Guatemala. Captain Lea Palacio-Tellier holds up the trophy as Canada celebrates winning the inaugural CONCACAF W Futsal Championship, in Guatemala City, Guatemala, in a May 4, 2025, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-CONCACAF, Victor Straffon, *MANDATORY CREDIT* Brossard led the nine-team tournament with eight goals as Canada booked its ticket to the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup by defeating Mexico in a penalty shootout in Saturday's semifinal in Guatemala City. Then the Canadian women dispatched Panama 8-2 in Sunday's final with Brossard scoring three goals. 'She grew a lot in these two weeks, I'm going to be honest. As a player, but also a person … I was very proud of her. Very proud,' said Da Rocha. 'The whole tournament was an incredible adventure,' said Brossard. Brossard was just happy to be invited to the selection camp, becoming the youngest player on the squad. Asked if she thought she would make the team, Brossard answered 'Not at all. Because there's a lot of great players across Canada.' Futsal is a five-a-side indoor soccer game played in two 20-minute halves. Like hockey, teams can make changes on the fly. Brossard took up futsal in high school, joining a local club at the age of 15 and playing over the winter. A sophomore at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania, the Montreal native also plays outdoors and earned an invitation to camp with the Canadian under-20 team in February as a training player ahead of the 2025 CONCACAF Women's U-20 Qualifiers. The 16-team FIFA Futsal World Cup is slated for Nov. 21 to Dec. 7 in the Philippines. Da Rocha hopes his side will get some games in Europe before the tournament. The Canadian performance in Guatemala is especially impressive given that Da Rocha's team has not played any international games prior to the competition. 'So that gave us maybe a little slower start in the first game,' said Da Rocha, referencing Canada's 3-2 loss to Costa Rica which was followed by four straight wins. 'But this team just grew so much throughout those five games we had in six days. They bonded so well. They committed to what they had to do, showed so much resilience and character. 'This is by far my greatest accomplishment, not just because of the results but the way that people conducted themselves throughout the whole time. I mean we got so much positive feedback from everyone — CONCACAF, from the referees, even the hotel staff. We just had a classy team.' Canada advanced to the semifinals after beating the United States 3-1 to finish runner-up to Costa Rica at 2-1-0 in Group B. Panama downed Costa Rica 3-1 in the other semifinal. The Canada-Mexico semifinal Saturday went to a shootout after finishing tied 4-4 after two five-minute periods of extra time. Mexico scored three unanswered goals in the first half before Canada answered with four of its own in the first four minutes of the second half. Trailing 4-3, Mexico tied the game with 1.8 seconds remaining on a goal with its net empty. Canada captain Léa Palacio-Tellier won the tournament's Best Goalkeeper Award. Canada also received the Fair Play Award. Da Rocha, a former coach of the Quebec's women's futsal team and assistant coach with the Canadian men's futsal side, was tasked with assembling the national team. Named coach on Jan. 31, Da Rocha held talent evaluation camps in several provinces before holding a final selection camp in late May. Female futsal players have long campaigned for a FIFA championship. In 2022, the International Women's Futsal Players Association condemned FIFAs 'public neglect towards women futsal players.' Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Sign up for The Warm-Up FIFA held the first Futsal Men's World Cup in 1989 with the 2028 edition featuring 24 teams. Defending champion Brazil has won six of the 10 tournaments to date, finishing runner-up once and third twice. Canada has not participated since being one of the 16 invited countries for the inaugural men's tournament, failing to advance out of the first round after losing to Argentina and Belgium before downing Japan. There have been eight editions of the CONCACAF Men's Futsal Championship with Canada participating in four of them. Canada's best showing was making the quarterfinals, in both 2021 and 2024. — This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 7, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Canada women celebrate international debut by winning CONCACAF W Futsal Championship
GUATEMALA CITY – Esther Brossard scored three goals to help Canada win the inaugural CONCACAF W Futsal Championship with a comprehensive 8-2 win over Panama in Sunday's final. The Canadian women had already booked their ticket to the first-ever FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup by defeating Mexico in a penalty shootout in the semifinal Saturday. The two finalists at the nine-team CONCACAF competition will represent the region at the 16-team FIFA Futsal World Cup, slated for Nov. 21 to Dec. 7 in the Philippines. The Canadian performance is especially impressive given the CONCACAF tournament marked the debut of the Canadian women's futsal squad. 'From Day 1, these players embraced the challenge of making history,' said Canada coach Alexandre Da Rocha. 'This is a moment of pride for our players, our staff and the entire futsal community in Canada. 'We entered believing we could compete — and now we leave as champions, with our ticket to the World Cup secured. It's an incredible start for this program.' Futsal is a five-a-side indoor soccer game played in two 20-minute halves. Like hockey, teams can make changes on the fly. Erica Hindmarsh, Joëlle Gosselin, Keera Melenhorst, Stephie-Ann Dadaille and Shayla He also scored for Canada in the final at the Domo Polideportivo. Canada's Léa Palacio-Tellier won the tournament's Best Goalkeeper Award while Brossard, who led the tournament with eight goals, earned the tournament's Best Player Award. Canada also received the Fair Play Award. The Canada-Mexico semifinal Saturday went to the shootout after finishing tied 4-4 after two five-minute periods of extra time. Mexico scored three unanswered goals in the first half before Canada answered with four of its own in the first four minutes of the second half. Trailing 4-3, Mexico tied the game with 1.8 seconds remaining on a goal by Rubi Gomez with its net empty. Panama downed Costa Rica 3-1 in the other semifinal. The Canadians moved into the semifinals after beating the U.S. 3-1 to finish runner-up to Costa Rica at 2-1-0 in Group B. Da Rocha, a former coach of the Quebec's women's futsal team and assistant coach with the Canadian men's futsal side, was tasked with assembling the national team. Named coach on Jan. 31, Da Rocha held talent evaluation camps in several provinces before holding a final selection camp in late May. Female futsal players have long campaigned for a FIFA championship. In 2022, the International Women's Futsal Players Association condemned FIFAs 'public neglect towards women futsal players.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. FIFA held the first Futsal Men's World Cup in 1989 with the 2028 edition featuring 24 teams. Defending champion Brazil has won six of the 10 tournaments to date, finishing runner-up once and third twice. Canada has not participated since being one of the 16 invited countries for the inaugural men's tournament, failing to advance out of the first round after losing to Argentina and Belgium before downing Japan. That 1989 futsal team included Paul Dolan, Pat Harrington, Nick De Santis, Eddy Berdusco, Lyndon Hooper and Alex Bunbury. Dolan was also a member of Canada's 1986 FIFA World Cup squad in Mexico. There have been eight editions of the CONCACAF Men's Futsal Championship with Canada participating in four of them. Canada's best showing was making the quarterfinals, in both 2021 and 2024. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 4, 2025.
CBC
04-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Canada beats Mexico to qualify for 1st FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup
Canada booked its ticket to the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in dramatic fashion by defeating Mexico in a penalty shootout Saturday to reach the final of CONCACAF W Futsal Championship. The two finalists at the eight-team CONCACAF tournament will represent the region at the 16-team FIFA Futsal World Cup, slated for Nov. 21 to Dec. 7 in the Philippines. Futsal is a five-a-side indoor game played in two 20-minute halves. Like hockey, teams can make changes on the fly. The semifinal at the Domo Polideportivo in Guatemala City, Guatemala went to a shootout after finishing tied 4-4 following two five-minute periods of extra time. Mexico scored three unanswered goals in the first half before Canada answered with four of its own in the first four minutes of the second half. Trailing 4-3, Mexico tied the game with 1.8 seconds remaining on a goal by Rubi Gomez with its net empty. Joelle Gosselin, Esther Brossard, Jade Houmphanh and Cynthia Gaspar-Freire scored for Canada in the shootout. Stephie-Ann Dadaille had her shot saved. Goalkeeper Lea Palacio-Tellier stopped shots by Evelyn Gonzalez and Gomez before Gaspar-Freire roofed her penalty for a 4-3 Canada win. Sunday's final will see Canada face Panama, which downed Costa Rica 3-1 in the other semifinal. The Canadians moved into the semifinals after beating the U.S. 3-1 to finish runner-up to Costa Rica at 2-1-0 in Group B. Stingy defence Mexico won Group A with three straight wins and a tournament-high 13 goals. Canada, meanwhile, tied for the tournament's stingiest defence with just four goals allowed in pool play. The Canadians are coached by Alexandre Da Rocha, a former coach of the Quebec's women's futsal team and assistant coach with the Canadian men's futsal side. Female futsal players have long campaigned for a FIFA championship. In 2022, the International Women's Futsal Players Association condemned FIFAs "public neglect towards women futsal players." FIFA held the first Futsal Men's World Cup in 1989 with the 2028 edition featuring 24 teams. Defending champion Brazil has won six of the 10 tournaments to date, finishing runner-up once and third twice. Canada has not participated since being one of the 16 invited countries for the inaugural men's tournament, failing to advance out of the first round after losing to Argentina and Belgium before downing Japan. That 1989 futsal team included Paul Dolan, Pat Harrington, Nick De Santis, Eddy Berdusco, Lyndon Hooper and Alex Bunbury. Dolan was also a member of Canada's 1986 FIFA World Cup squad in Mexico. There have been eight editions of the CONCACAF Men's Futsal Championship with Canada participating in four of them. The Canadians' best showing was making the quarterfinals, in both 2021 and 2024.
Hamilton Spectator
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Canada qualifies for FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup with penalty shootout win
GUATEMALA CITY - Canada booked its ticket to the inaugural FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in dramatic fashion by defeating Mexico in a penalty shootout Saturday to reach the final of CONCACAF W Futsal Championship. The two finalists at the eight-team CONCACAF tournament will represent the region at the 16-team FIFA Futsal World Cup, slated for Nov. 21 to Dec. 7 in the Philippines. Futsal is a five-a-side indoor game played in two 20-minute halves. Like hockey, teams can make changes on the fly. The semifinal at the Domo Polideportivo went to the shootout after finishing tied 4-4 following two five-minute periods of extra time. Mexico scored three unanswered goals in the first half before Canada answered with four of its own in the first four minutes of the second half. Trailing 4-3, Mexico tied the game with 1.8 seconds remaining on a goal by Rubi Gomez with its net empty Joëlle Gosselin, Esther Brossard, Jade Houmphanh and Cynthia Gaspar-Freire scored for Canada in the shootout. Stephie-Ann Dadaille had her shot saved. Goalkeeper Léa Palacio-Tellier stopped shots by Evelyn Gonzalez and Gomez before Gaspar-Freire roofed her penalty for a 4-3 Canada win. Sunday's final will see Canada face Panama, which downed Costa Rica 3-1 in the other semifinal. The Canadians moved into the semifinals after beating the U.S. 3-1 to finish runner-up to Costa Rica at 2-1-0 in Group B. Mexico won Group A with three straight wins and a tournament-high 13 goals. Canada, meanwhile, tied for the tournament's stingiest defence with just four goals allowed in pool play. The Canadians are coached by Alexandre Da Rocha, a former coach of the Quebec's women's futsal team and assistant coach with the Canadian men's futsal side. Female futsal players have long campaigned for a FIFA championship. In 2022, the International Women's Futsal Players Association condemned FIFAs 'public neglect towards women futsal players.' FIFA held the first Futsal Men's World Cup in 1989 with the 2028 edition featuring 24 teams. Defending champion Brazil has won six of the 10 tournaments to date, finishing runner-up once and third twice. Canada has not participated since being one of the 16 invited countries for the inaugural men's tournament, failing to advance out of the first round after losing to Argentina and Belgium before downing Japan. That 1989 futsal team included Paul Dolan, Pat Harrington, Nick De Santis, Eddy Berdusco, Lyndon Hooper and Alex Bunbury. Dolan was also a member of Canada's 1986 FIFA World Cup squad in Mexico. There have been eight editions of the CONCACAF Men's Futsal Championship with Canada participating in four of them. The Canadians' best showing was making the quarterfinals, in both 2021 and 2024. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3, 2025.
