Sporting Fingal 5-3 Nautara Kaunas (Lithuania)

FAI Futsal Cup player of the tournament, Hygo Cesar, hit a brace to overcome the hosts in today’s mini-group opener.

The result means that Should Fingal overcome Armenian Champions Kaghsi Yerevan tomorrow they will be the first Irish team to progress from the UEFA Futsal Cup preliminary round.

Nautara Kaunas had qualified for the later rounds for three consecutive seasons.

However, Fingal prepared well for the task ahead and produced a terrific performance against the locals to set up a historic chance to qualify against the Armenian Champions, Kaghsi Yerevan tomorrow (Tuesday).

Fingal Coach Junior Da Silva was in buoyant form as the team departed for Lithuania on Sunday and while he acknowledging the difficulty of the task facing his team, remains optimistic of pulling off a surprise.

Said Da Silva; “We are trying to give a really good account of ourselves and represent the Sporting Fingal name very well. I know the Sporting football team performed very well in the Europa League against Maritimo and I would like to follow their example and reinforce the name of the club in UEFA competitions as a competitive force”

Fingal feature a number of talented Brazilian players in their side including Rodrigo de Melo, Helio Lima and former FAI Futsal Cup player of the tournament, Hygo Cesar.

However, goalkeeper Ian Carry who works as Schools Development Officer for the FAI and Republic of Ireland Futsal international Ross Zambra are both looking forward to their UEFA debuts.

Said Zambra: “I only recently began playing futsal in the last two years but have really enjoyed the sport. It’s a very technical and high paced game but extremely satisfying because of the amount of time you are directly involved in the action.

"Playing Futsal has given me the opportunity to represent my country in games against France and Norway which were a great experience. Now, I’m playing in a UEFA Competition. Hopefully, we continue to do well and establish the reputation of Ireland as a developing futsal country. While it will be a difficult task, all the lads will give it their best shot!”

Sporting Fingal’s Result and Fixtures:

Group A

16-18/8/2010
Kaunas (Lithuania)
Hall: S.Darius & S.Girenas Sport Center

Teams
FK Nautara Kaunas (LTU)
FC Kaghsi Yerevan (ARM)
Sporting Fingal FC (IRL)

16/8/2010
18.00 Nautara Kaunas 3-5 Sporting Fingal
17/8/2010
18.00 Sporting Fingal - Kaghsi Yerevan
18/8/2010
18.00 Kaghsi Yerevan - Nautara Kaunas.