The Dutch indoor football players had a unique year and even wrote history. At the World Cup in Uzbekistan, the Dutch team reached the eighth finals. The Netherlands did this with all amateur players, while all opponents had full professionals. With the main players we look back on this historic year and look ahead to the development of futsal.
“I will never forget the two goals I scored against Paraguay,” says Mohamed Chih about the World Cup in Uzbekistan. These goals allowed the Netherlands to advance to the knockout phase. “I thought it was horrible to play in front of so many people at that World Cup. I have never experienced anything like that before.”
An experience that Zaid El Morabiti had never experienced before. The current assistant national coach played 119 times for the Dutch team, but also had a great time at the World Cup in September and October. “A wonderful experience and I thought it was very impressive that we got this far as an amateur country.”
Training internship
El Morabiti: “With this performance we have shown what we can do. Now the next steps need to be taken. We are entering a new phase with the Dutch team. We recently tested many new players during a training camp in Saudi Arabia.”
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One of those new players is Floris Kemps. The 21-year-old Alkmaarder plays for FC Marlène in the national competition and is part of the selection team of national coach Miguel Andrés in the last international matches. “At Oranje I notice that I am making a lot of progress,” says Kemps. After his training internship, he was also selected for the European Championship qualifying match against Portugal. “The level and the guidance ensure that I become smarter and more complete. In the Premier League you are not always punished, but that is the case in the Dutch team.”
Lots of potential
According to El Morabiti, not only a larger budget is important, but also a clear plan for the long term. “There must be investment in the youth and the clubs must start taking steps. The most ideal situation would be for indoor football teams to play under the name of professional clubs. Ajax futsal and AZ futsal. You see that a lot in Spain and Portugal. In The Netherlands has a lot of potential, but the really good players often choose the field.”
Chih also played alone on the field for a long time. The 25-year-old Amsterdammer played for FC Volendam and ADO Den Haag in the past. “I only made the final move to the club three years ago. At the moment I still play on the field at DCG, but I prefer Os Lusitanos and Oranje.”
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In addition to playing indoor football, Chih works in disability care as a self-employed person. “This way I can plan my own days. And that can be easily combined with training and competitions.”
Long breath
Almost all internationals still work or study in addition to football. A big difference with the top countries in indoor football. The Netherlands recently took on Portugal. These players are full professionals and train every day. Only in the final phase did Andrés’ team have to bow their heads (4-2). El Morabiti: “I certainly see opportunities to join the absolute top of indoor football. The step from amateur to professional is one that takes a long time. You also saw this in the past in countries such as Spain, Portugal and France .”
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At FC Marlène, Floris Kemps trains twice a week and often plays a match on Friday. “As a result, we do not get the most out of our qualities. This of course also has to do with budget.”
De Jong’s involvement
The internationals often train on Tuesdays and Sundays in Zeist, where the headquarters of the football association is housed. A good development according to Chih and he also notices more and more involvement from the KNVB. For example, general manager Nigel de Jong was present throughout the tournament in Uzbekistan. “He communicates with us a lot and asks how things can be arranged better. That gives me a lot of confidence for the future of indoor football.”
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The Dutch team will again play two European Championship qualifying matches at the beginning of February. This concerns a double meeting with Andorra. The Netherlands is currently second in the group behind leader Portugal. Group winners qualify directly for the European Championship, the eight best numbers 2 from the ten qualifying groups play play-offs for the last four European Championship tickets.