Photo Credit: FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
WORDS | Coen Lammers
Christchurch futsal star Jordi Ditfort and his Futsal Whites team-mates have one opportunity remaining to impress at their first FIFA Futsal World Cup against Kazakhstan early tomorrow morning,
After seven failed attempts, New Zealand this year qualified for the first time for the pinnacle event in Uzbekistan and have experienced how hot the competition is at the sharp end of the futsal pyramid.
Ditfort scored New Zealand’s first ever goal at a World Cup when they lost 3-1 to fellow debutant Libya, and were given a futsal lesson on Thursday by two-time Futsal World Cup winners Spain in a 7-1 defeat.
The Futsal Whites had earlier threatened the greatest upset in the 25-year history of the tournament, taking a surprising 1-0 lead through Art Twigg after a wonderful run down the wing by Dylan Manickum.
The Kiwis managed to hang onto a 1-1 score at half-time but the floodgates opened after the break with Spanish star Catela grabbing a hat-trick for La Roya.
Ditfort realised the tournament draw pitted the Futsal Whites against some of the biggest names in the business but was excited by the prospect of measuring themselves against the best.
“Playing Spain is a dream. They’ve got some amazing players. The whole country has such a reputation in futsal,” the Cantabrian told FIFA.
Despite the opening losses, the 26-year-old says just making the FIFA Futsal World Cup was like winning a trophy.
“Getting to a World Cup was a long time coming. Especially for those that had tried to qualify for a World Cup three or four times,” said Ditfort reflecting after winning the OFC final against Tahiti and washing away the bad taste of 2020.
“I was there four years ago. We lost on penalties in the final. It was the lowest point of a lot of our careers. So, to overcome that, get it done, especially at home, was a very special moment for everyone. It was really emotional.”
Tomorrow, the New Zealanders will line up against a formidable Kazakhstan side who beat Libya 4-0, and with the close proximity to the host country of Uzbekistan will again expect a parochial crowd.
After two matches in the sold out Andijan Sports Complex, the Kiwis have moved to the capital Tashkent and hope the small band of friends and family will be able to make themselves heard.
“I don’t think we’ll be as loud as all the Kazakhs, but our fans will try and do their best. For me, with fans, whether they’re with you or against you, the louder they are, the better it is. I think it’s so cool how passionate people are about futsal. Playing Kazakhstan is going to be some atmosphere, a very, very loud one. Our fans will be outnumbered, but they won’t be backing down either.”
Ditfort has experience playing against the Kazaks in the University World Games in 2022 and is looking forward to meeting their star player Douglas and legendary goalkeeper Higuita who singlehandedly rescued a point against a Spanish onslaught in the opening match on Monday.
Ditfort has a knack for the spectacular, but during University World Games in 2022, the former Shirley Boys Highschool student became a global sensation after scoring the goal of the tournament against hosts Portugal who are among the favourites to win this year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup.
After winning the ball with a sliding tackle, he leapt up to slalom through the entire Portuguese team and managed to find the net despite falling over with several Portuguese players on top of him.
Those ten touches, those seven seconds, that one goal instantly went viral.
“You don’t see NZ futsal getting much attention on social media, but as soon as it hit the internet, the reaction was a bit crazy. It was probably the best goal I’ve ever scored. I doubt it will ever be topped,” said the man who hopes to top that effort in the final group match on Sunday.
All FIFA Futsal World Cup matches are live on FIFA+, with New Zealand kicking off at 12.30am NZT tomorrow