OFC (Oceania Football Confederation) ambassador and Fijian football legend Roy Krishna is back in the country helping promote Futsal and its benefits to young football players.  

Roy joined OFC futsal consultant Juliano Schmelling to support the delivery of OFC Futsal C Licence with Fiji FA national coach and development officer Jerry Sam.  

Roy, who has recently finished a stint in the Indian Super League (ISL) with Bengaluru FC, said Futsal helped him as a footballer because it allowed him to improve on his skills both to attack and defend at the same time.  

“It helped me with my decision–making abilities, especially working in tight spaces and being creative as well as getting accurate and impactful short passes. I would say overall, it helped me with my one versus one, quick passes, defending, and ball control like an all-in-one package.”  

The Futsal C Licence course has been run by Schmelling and OFC course facilitator Paul Toohey for the last five years. It has been led and overlooked by Futsal staff members in each member association before coach assessments were done individually and online by Schmeling.  

Over 30 coaches from OFC’s member associations have gained their C Licence in that time period.  

“I remember Futsal being the new craze when I was younger and a lot of fun,” Roy told OFC Media.  

“It was almost like going out on a date with your mates. You took an hour off to have some fun with your mates and it was the best one hour spent with them.

The pace was fast and we had to think very quickly as we had to always switch between attacking and defensive play. Any slip-up was quickly punished. What hooked me was the sheer number of touches I got on the ball, with just five of us on that small pitch.”  

Roy has recommended that Futsal as the way for young players to hone skills and develop their game.  

“It’s a great way to start or to be introduced to football because it’s more accessible than assembling a full 11-a-side squad,” he said. 

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