A SUPER TREAT FOR MALAYSIAN FUTSAL FANS

What’s most interesting is these fans will be able to catch these world-class players take on the likes of SEA Games silver medallists, Malaysia.

It will be intense action all the way as the hosts open their campaign with a grudge tie against Indonesia on Jan 29. At the recent SEA Games in Korat, Thailand, last month, Malaysia edged Indonesia to qualify for the final.

“That was the first time we beat Indonesia last year,” said Malaysian coach. P. Balakrishnan. “Prior to the SEA Games we either lost or drew with them. Matches between both teams have always been close and that’s what we expect again during the KL 5s.”

The KL World 5’s, the most lucrative futsal tournament in the world with a prize purse of USD150,000, is organised by ESPN STAR Sports, Asia’s No. 1 sports broadcaster.

Malaysia’s next opponent in Group A will be South American giants Argentina, the previous winners of the futsal tournament here, followed by an interesting tie against Australia on Jan 31.

Malaysia’s final group match will be against England on Feb 1. The other teams participating in this prestigious tournament are Brazil, Holland, China, Thailand and Iran.

Meanwhile, tickets for the preliminary round have been priced at RM12 per match day. A total of five matches each day have been lined up for the first four days of the tournament, from Jan 29 to Feb 1.

The semi-finals and final are scheduled for Feb 2 and Feb 3 with tickets priced at RM15.

Fans are advised to purchase their tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Tickets can be obtained through telephone booking (603-22746666) or through the Internet at www.ticket2u.biz or www.tickethotline.corp.my.

The KL World 5’s was officially launched by Datuk Sri Azalina Othman Said, the Minister of Youth and Sports, at the Prince Hotel on Nov 26. Datuk Azzuddin Ahmad, the General Secretary of the Football Association of Malaysia and Datuk Zolkples Embong, Director General of the National Sports Council also attended the launch.

Final fixtures and schedule (with kick-off times)

Jan 29
10am: Indonesia vs Australia
3pm: China vs Brazil
5pm: Argentina vs England
7pm: Malaysia vs Indonesia
9pm: Thailand vs Holland

Jan 30
10am: China vs Thailand
3pm: England vs Indonesia
5pm: Argentina vs Malaysia
7pm: Iran vs Brazil
9pm: Holland vs China

Jan 31
10am: Australia vs Malaysia
1pm: Holland vs Iran
3pm: Indonesia vs Argentina
6pm: Brazil vs Thailand
9pm: England vs Australia

Feb 1
10am: Iran vs China
3pm: Malaysia vs England
5pm: Australia vs Argentina
7pm: Brazil vs Holland
9pm: Thailand vs Iran

Feb 2
12pm: 3rd Group A vs 4th Group B
2pm: 3rd Group B vs 4th Group A
Semifinals
5pm: 1st Group A vs 2nd Group B
7pm: 1st Group B vs 2nd Group A

Feb 3
2pm: Bowl Final (5th Group A vs 5th Group B)
5pm: Plate Final (Winner Match 21 vs Winner Match 22)
7pm: Final