NI off to Moldova for World Cup qualifying debut

Northern Ireland are heading to Moldova today (Tuesday) for their first-ever series of World Cup Futsal qualifiers.

Jonny Michael’s side will take on the might of Finland tomorrow before facing the host nation and then finally Wales.

It is a massive achievement for Northern Ireland to be mixing it with some of the best teams on the planet.

Speaking before flying off to the former Soviet republic, Michael said his squad were ready.

“We are really looking forward to the challenge,” he said. “It is tremendously exciting – qualification for us has been a couple of years in the making – our first-ever major qualification process.

“This is the start of many with the European championship in a couple of years’ time.

“We have had a number of friendly internationals and home nations but this is our first-ever UEFA competition so we are looking forward to it.”

Northern Ireland are in Group H of the qualifiers – with the top two teams in each group progressing to the main round.

Lithuania will host the 24-team tournament in 2020.

In the run-up to the qualifiers, Northern Ireland have beaten Malta (see main pic) and Wales in the Home Nations tournament in Newry Leisure Centre.

The games are being streamed live on the link below.

https://www.youtube.com/user/videoFMF

The game against Finland takes place tomorrow (2pm).

The squad: Philip Irvine (World United Futsal Club), Matthew McErlain (Belfast United Futsal Club)

Defenders: Adam Barr (FC Salisbury United), Scott Gunn (Newcastle Futsal Club), John Gibson (Banbridge Town Futsal Club), Ciaran Donaghy (Belfast United Futsal Club), James Gould (Banbridge Town Futsal Club).

Wingers: Jack Magee (Belfast United Futsal Club), Danny Stapleton (Manchester Futsal Club), Jordan Wilson (Banbridge Town Futsal Club), Conor Glenholmes (Wattcell Futsal Club).

Forwards: Darius Roohi (Sparta Belfast Futsal Club), Connor Millar (FC Salisbury United)

• futsal
• northern ireland