The Chennai leg of the Premier Futsal League came to a thrilling finish, with the two highest scoring matches of the tournament being played on 17 July. We also saw the Brazilian magician Ronaldinho enthrall the crowds with a stupendous 5-goal show, as he led Goa back into the tournament with a rousing performance.
Though Ronaldinho has now left the tournament, the Premier Futsal League is now moving into its second phase in Goa, with teams looking to cement their place in the semi-finals.
We take a look at the marquee players and how they have performed so far -
6) Paul Scholes (Bengaluru)
Manchester United's midfield maestro from the 2000s looked a touch, slow and rushed for time in this format, where the action is much faster than on a football field. It led to him being indecisive many a time, delaying when a quicker pass would have done the job. Starved of the space and time, his minutes were limited too.
5) Falcao (Chennai)
The futsal legend had a mixed bag in terms of performances. The way he started the first game, it looked like he was going to tear through the opposition, but it was Mumbai who ended up victorious despite a late goal from Falcao which came a bit late to inspire any fightback.
In the second game, he seemed to follow Ronaldinho’s lead in terms of putting on a show and started brightly once again. He looked superb and grabbed two goals before an injury cut short his game and rendered him a spectator for the second half.
4) Hernan Crespo (Kolkata)
The prolific Argentine striker was a man of partnerships. He combined very well with his teammates in setting up plays for his team. Almost like he did during his heydays, Crespo exhibited the perfect centre-forward game, holding up the ball, involving those around him, passing in front of goal and being in the box to finish off chances.
He also led his team in a calm and composed manner.
3) Ryan Giggs (Mumbai)
Manchester United's assistant manager for the last two seasons, Giggs adapted rather quickly to futsal. After an initial few minutes where Falcao and some of the futsallers in the Chennai team turned him inside out, making us fear the worst for the Welsh wizard.
Yet as the game grew, so did he, and over the two matches, he acquainted himself pretty well. He set up assists for his mates over both games and had some delightful shots and passes with the outside of his left boot.
2) Ronaldinho (Goa)
Ronaldinho was non-existent in the opener but rebounded with a five-star performance against Bengaluru on Sunday where he inspired his team to a 7-2 win. The performance was one for the ages, worthy of the number two spot in this list. The range of skills on display was unmatched by anyone else, not surprising considering the futsal roots that he has.
The Brazilian maestro will not be part of this season anymore but he does leave us with some incredible memories.
1) Michel Salgado (Kochi)
The top spot though is reserved for the indefatigable Michel Salgado who was a lightning rod for his Kochi team as they withstood pressure to come back and inflict a beating on Giggs’ Mumbai and come from behind again to draw against Falcao’s Chennai. Over the two games, there wasn't an inch of the court that he didn't cover. In the first game, he sat out for a mere five minutes out of the 40 and in the second again, played 30 minutes plus.
He was forced out only once his lungs gave up. The crowd was against him in the game against Mumbai and he ate it all up and in the end won the battle after his side emerged victorious.
Salgado received stick in the second game against Falcao and Chennai, yet he and his side finished the game the stronger. Be it flinging himself for last ditch tackles, instigating a fast-break from the back or being furthest man forward to have a shot at goal, Salgado’s all out performances make him the standout marquee player from the first leg.
