NI futsal side all set for Home Nations tournament in Scotland
Jonny Michael's men off to Edinburgh for three-match event
Last updated 30th Nov 2017
Northern Ireland’s international futsal squad fly to Edinburgh today for the annual Home Nations tournament.
Jonny Michael’s young side take on Scotland tomorrow night in the first of three massive games at the new Oriam sports centre, Heriot Watt University just outside the capital.
Having just returned from two closely fought games in Gibraltar, Northern Ireland are in confident mood ahead of only their second Home Nations appearance.
“We are starting to play more like a futsal side we are still in the first year of our development and the boys are improving game on game,” Michael told Downtown & Cool FM.
“The fact that they are now scoring goals at international level and they are competing in games are positives for me.
“We are still on a massive learning curve but the improvements are there for me to see.”
Northern Ireland also face the might of England and Wales over the next few days and Michael says it will be interesting to see how far they have come since last year’s debut tournament.
“The quality of the opposition will be slightly higher (than Gibraltar) particularly with England and Wales,” he said.
“We look at Scotland as a game where we believe we can compete and we will look to get a result in that.”
The current squad boasts a number of teenagers coupled with the likes of more seasoned campaigners such as Ciaran Donaghy and Glenavon’s assistant coach Kris Lindsay.
Michael is hoping that this blend of youth and experience will help the team in the longer term.
“We know what to expect and we will look to execute our strategy,” he said.
“We have a very young squad. But we have selected on talent – they are there on merit.
“And in the next four or five years, if we continue to work with these young people they will have great experience.
“It is important we have some experience players who have played at a higher level – they will have the experience and when things are maybe getting tough, they can rally around the younger players.”
The opening game kicks off at 7.30pm (Friday) with the match against England on Saturday (ko 2.30) followed by Wales on Sunday (1pm).
Meanwhile, Michael says the sport’s developing well in the province.
“We have a domestic league now with eight teams and we are hoping to grow that – plus a cup competition,” he said.
“We need more people playing the game.
“We have a senior men’s team and we will look to establish a women’s team which we will look at in the New Year.