A Liam Palfreeman hattrick and goals from Russ Goldstein and Ryan Walsh delivered England an emphatic 5-1 victory over Switzerland on Monday evening, in the nation’s first ever competitive international futsal fixture on home soil.
“It’s massive. We’ve created history”, said Palfreeman, who scored his 11th, 12th and 13th international goals in what was England’s first ever UEFA Futsal Euro Main Round victory and their first three points in Group 8.
Buoyed by a sellout crowd of more than 700 inside Loughborough University’s Sir David Wallace Sports Hall, England started like a house on fire. With two minutes gone, Palfreeman delivered the perfect early start, sliding into an open net after excellent pressing from Ivan Cadete-Borges and Jeff Adubofour.
Five minutes later, the visitors drew level as captain Evangelos Marcoyannakis pinched the ball from Walsh and fired home with precision.
Goalkeeper Jonathan Sims made a string of brave close-quarters saves to keep England level as Switzerland began to threaten in transitions, “I love contributing. I love being busy. That’s why I do it. But there was some unbelievable defending from the rest of the guys”, said Sim.
With a minute remaining on the first half clock, Stuart Cook won the ball back on the halfway line, drove into the penalty area and drew contact from the keeper. The referee’s whistle blew. The crowd roared, then fell silent in expectation. Goldstein slammed the penalty hard and low to restore England’s advantage and send the home crowd into the break jubilant.
Four minutes into the second half, Jordan Edge slipped a delicious reverse pass into the path of Walsh, whose deflected toe poke wrongfooted the Swiss keeper and gave England a deserved 3-1 lead. Two goals to the good and the volume up a couple of octaves, England grew in poise and stature. The passing was slick. The chances flowed.
The speed of England’s young flyers, Jake Barnes, Cadete-Borges and Harry Tozer stretched the game beyond Switzerland’s reach as England asserted their physical dominance. 21-year-old Loughborough pivot Cadete-Borges was particularly impressive. On home court and just a second international appearance, his display was filled with deft touches, exceptional ball retention and constant 1 v 1 threat.
England’s star man though was 29 year-old Palfreeman, who twice missed presentable opportunities before putting the finishing touches on his team’s slick second half performance. With five minutes remaining, Jordan Edge laid a corner back for Palfreeman who slammed the ball emphatically into the top right corner, turning to accept the crowd’s adoration and pointing to the Three Lions badge. Two minutes later, with Switzerland playing fly goalkeeper, he completed his hattrick, seizing on a loose ball just behind the halfway line and passing the ball into an empty net.
“I’m speechless. I haven’t scored many hat tricks in my career! To do it in front of a home crowd, in front of my daughter, my family. It means the world to me”, said Palfreeman. A 5-1 victory, the crowd ecstatic and England good value for it.
If Friday’s 5-1 defeat to Bosnia showed glimpses of this squad’s potential, tonight confirmed it. Youth and experience combining to announce the nation’s return to the international futsal arena after a five year hiatus. For 32-year-old Goldstein, who debuted for England over a decade ago, it’s a special feeling to share the court with this next generation, “We’ve only come together for a year as a team and honestly, it’s a pleasure to be able to teach the younger lads how we think about the game and to help them treasure these moments”.
Next up for England is Spain, second ranked in the world and filled with global futsal stars. For Palfreeman, speaking in the midst of signing young fans’ shirts at full time, it’s just another opportunity to shine, “I’m hoping to score a hattrick against them, try and bag myself a move!”
England host Spain back at the Sir David Wallace Sports Hall on Tuesday 4th February, as the next chapter of English futsal history continues to be written.
Match Report written by Benjamin Stevens (@total_futsal_) on behalf of England Futsal