~ 2 Cities, 6 Franchises, 8 Match Days and 14 Games ~
~ 6 Legends are Giggs, Ronaldinho, Scholes, Salgado, Crespo and Falcao ~
~ 6 Franchises are Chennai, Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Bengaluru and Kolkata ~
Chennai, July 15, 2016: Premier Futsal, world’s first multi-national Futsal tournament will kick-start their inaugural edition at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in Chennai on July 15. The first edition of the league will see 6 franchises divided in two groups to battle it out over 8 match days and 13 matches to make it to the finals which will be played in Goa on July 24, 2016.
The unveiling of Manchester United Ambassador - Ryan Giggs, Ronaldinho – the smiling assassin from Brazil and the Argentine forward Hernan Crespo completed the signing of their 6 marquee players. Premier Futsal has previously announced Manchester United’s midfield maestro Paul Scholes and Galactico Michel Salgado as their other signings. With Portuguese international Deco having to drop out last minute because of injury, the Pele of Futsal, Falcao will replace him as the sixth marquee player for the league.
Premier Futsal also introduced all its franchise owners for the first edition today. The Mumbai franchise has been picked up by the renowned car designer Dilip Chhabria, where as the Goa and Kochi franchises have been bought by Viiking Ventures Pvt. Ltd. and Dubai based Yes Events Management respectively. Premier Futsal recently announced Kannada film star Puneeth Rajkumar as the owner of the Bengaluru 5’s franchise. The Kolkata franchise was bought by Bengali superstar Jeet, while Janani Ramesh of the Hindu Group, was the first to pick a team in its debut season.
Speaking at the event, Premier Futsal Co-Founder Nithyashree Subban said, “Amidst all the false allegations and attempts to tarnish the image of Premier Futsal, we are proud to kick-start our inaugural edition as scheduled on July 15 here in Chennai. It was a strategic decision to host the league in just 2 cities; Chennai and Goa, and with 6 franchises. We have managed to secure signatures of players who are the legends of the game and will be seen playing in India in a few days. As Premier Futsal Management, we are committed to grow Futsal here in India and we will expand the league to other cities in the future editions.”
The teams for each of the franchises were also announced today. The teams have been picked by an independent committee comprising of International Futsal experts with a view to make the teams balanced and the league competitive. For the next season, all the Futsallers will go back in to the bidding pool and the owners will have to pick their team through a bidding process. The marquee players which have allotted will remain with the six franchises for the next season as well.
Premier Futsal also concluded ‘Launchpad’, a talent hunt program which was conducted in 8 cities to scout for Indian Futsal players. The shortlisted Indian Futsallers were hosted a boot camp in Chennai and 5 players from each of the franchise markets were announced today. Each of these 5 players have been drawn in to the teams of their respective cities and will get a chance to play alongside the current best Futsal players in the world and the marquee football players.
Premier Futsal is a private and semi-professional Futsal league that will be hosted from July 15 - 26 to create awareness of futsal as a sport in India. Premier Futsal is backed by Mr. Xavier Britto of the Indev Group.
The league will kick-off 15 July 2016, and will be telecast live and exclusive on Sony SIX, SONY ESPN and Sony AATH. Matches will also be available to live stream on SonyLIV.
About Premier Futsal Management Pvt Ltd
Premier Futsal Management Pvt Ltd is the founding and controlling entity of Premier Futsal, a pioneering franchise-model international Futsal league based in India. The company comprises of Luis Figo, Former World Soccer player of the year and Real Madrid FC legend, as President, Mr. Xavier Britto of Indev Logistics as primary Investor & Chairman, Mr. Dinesh Raj as Managing Director, Mr. Abhinandan Balasubramanian as CEO & Director, Ms. Nithyashree Subban as Finance Director and Mr. Balu Nayar as Executive Director.
Name: Alessandro Rosa Vieira
Nickname: Falcao
Nationality: Brazilian
Position: Forward
The world’s most famous futsal player Alessandro Rosa Vieira known as Falcão is partly credited for the huge growth of futsal in the world in the last decade. Currently, Falcão plays for Magnus Futsal, also known as Sorocaba Futsal, a Brazilian Futsal team from the city of Sorocaba, which is located in the state of São Paulo.
Since the year 2000, awards are attributed to the best futsal players in the world. In 2004, 2006, 2011 and 2012, Falcão was named the World’s Best Futsal player.
Like many young Brazilian’s, Falcão grew up playing futsal, but unlike his fellow countrymen Neymar, Ronaldinho or Robinho, he didn’t move into football. Instead he stayed indoors on the futsal courts where his performances for Guapira in the regional championships as a teenager in Sao Paulo earned him a move to the futsal team of Corinthians. After five years at Time do Povo, he moved to GM Chevrolet and a first call up to the Selecao, the Brazilian National Team, soon followed. Two World Cups and four World Player of the Year has made Falcão a household name in Brazil and is often referred to at the ‘Pelé of futsal’, such is his standing in the game.
Name: Dovenir Domingues Neto
Nickname: Neto
Nationality: Brazilian
Position: Defender
Dovenir Domingues Neto, commonly known as Neto, is a Brazilian futsal player who plays for Split Tommy and the Brazilian national futsal team. Neto has won the Golden Ball for best player at the last World Cup after scoring the winning goal in extra time in the final. It was his redemption after the 2004 World Cup he missed the decisive penalty that knocked Brazil out and missed 2008 World Cup due to a knee injury.
In 2012 Neto was runner up for FutsalPlanet World Player of the Year behind compatriot Falcao. He is a very aggressive defender who occasionally scores a decisive goal. He has played in Spain, Russia and his home country Brazil, winning multiple titles and becoming recognized as one of the best defenders in the game over the last 10 years.
In his 18 years on the Futsal domestic stage, he has won three Brazilian Championships and two Spanish ones. Adding to these, he also has three Super Cup and two domestic Cup winners’ medals from his time in Spain. He won two UEFA European Cups as well.
Neto was the recipient of the prestigious FIFA Golden Ball at the 2012 edition of world Futsal's headline tournament. He has also been named the Brazilian Futsal Player of The Year three times.
Name: Romulo Alves Nobre
Nickname: Romulo
Nationality: Brazilian - Russian
Position: Defender
Romulo is a Russian futsal player, playing as a defender. He is part of the Russia national futsal team. He was runner-up at the UEFA Futsal Euro 2016. At club level he has just signed for FC Barcelona after playing for Dinamo Moscow for the last few years. In the recent European Championships he played a key role in taking Russia to the finals. He is a powerful defender that can do the spectacular. Known for his bicycle kicks and will shoot at any opportunity.
Name: Maximiliano Daniel Rescia
Nickname: Maxi
Nationality: Argentine
Position: Universal
Maxi made his debut in the National Under-20 before debuting in the maximum Argentine championship, playing the first friendly match in 2005 against Uruguay. After a few successful seasons he caught the eye of European scouts and signed by Napoli in 2008. Having played in Italy for the last 8 years, he has just signed for a Spanish club. In Italy he won multiple league titles and was considered one of the best players in the league over the last few years.
He was the key player in the Argentina National team and at the age of 21 played in a World Cup in 2008. Maxi is a versatile player who is comfortable playing any role on field.
Name: Adriano Foglia
Nickname: Foglia
Nationality: Brazilian
Position: Winger / Pivot
Adriano Foglia is a Brazilian-born Italian futsal player who plays for Marca Futsal. He is one of the most talented players of his generation and was voted as the FutsalPlanet World Player of the year in 2003.
Born in Brazil, he moved to Italy and gained citizenship to represent the Azzurri on 101 occasions, scoring 63 goals. He was their star when they won the European Championships in 2003. Has spent most of his career in Italy, winning multiple league championships and being crowned European club champion in 2011. Very skilful left footed player who possess exceptional technique and is very strong.
Official Statement from Premier Futsal on disconcerting speculations
We, at, Premier Futsal, would like to strongly refute falsities that are leading to unnecessary rumour mongering about the very legal existence of the league. One such falsity that is being fuelled is that the International football legend, Deco will not be participating in inaugural season of Premier Futsal due to non-payment of a signing amount.
Just to set the record straight, Deco is unable to participate in the inaugural season of Premier Futsal due to an injury. We will soon circulate a video message from Deco himself to expose these baseless statements planted to artificially create a negative perception around our league
Premier Futsal is a semi-professional, private league and is in collaboration with Futsal Association of India (FAI), which falls under The Asociación Mundial de Futsal (AMF). Premier Futsal is obtains technical support from the AMF which has been the world governing body for Futsal since 1971. Globally, the AMF and FIFA co-exist. The FAI, a recognized sports body, is the only entity that has been working towards the development of Futsal in India - and for 8 years.
Premier Futsal does not need the sanction or authorization of the AIFF, and does not intend to poach players etc. - there are anyway no registered futsallers there.
Conducting a Semi-professional league is fully permissible legally in our democracy and has been validated by legal experts at our end. We have just completed 'Launchpad' - our talent hunt program to scout for young Indian Futsal players who could play alongside top International Futsallers and Football Legends in the inaugural edition of Premier Futsal starting July 15.
Top international Futsallers and Footballers have legally committed to the league in all transparency, owing to the potential of Premier Futsal and its vision.
As entrepreneurs, we were pursuing our Honorary Prime Minister's call for innovation in Entrepreneurship and through Premier Futsal we are introducing one of the world's fastest growing sport to India. The high-handed and negative approach of the AIFF is appalling and is a blatant attempt to use its clout to stunt the progress of Entrepreneurship in the field of Sports.
Moreover, legal precedence states that one entity cannot have monopoly over a particular sport. Neither AIFF nor any sporting authority can claim to be sole custodians of a sport in India.
Furthermore, as the organizers of Premier Futsal we would like to categorically state that the league is on track and we will release all the details pertaining to team owners & fixtures in Chennai on 12th July during our curtain raiser ahead of the kick-off to the inaugural season on July 15.
Premier Futsal – Fixtures
Groups
Group A
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Group B
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Chennai
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Goa
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Mumbai
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Kolkata
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Kochi
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Bangalore
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Fixtures
Date
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Match 1
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Match 2
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Venue
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15th July, 2016
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Chennai vs Mumbai
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Goa vs Kolkata
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Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai
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16th July, 2016
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Mumbai vs Kochi
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Kolkata vs Bangalore
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Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai
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17th July, 2016
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Kochi vs Chennai
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Bangalore vs Goa
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Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Chennai
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18th July, 2016
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Rest/Travel
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19th July, 2016
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Kolkata vs Goa
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Mumbai vs Chennai
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Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa, Goa
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20th July, 2016
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Bangalore vs Kolkata
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Kochi vs Mumbai
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Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa, Goa
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21st July, 2016
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Goa vs Bangalore
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Chennai vs Kochi
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Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa, Goa
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22nd July, 2016
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Rest/Travel
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23rd July, 2016
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Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up
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Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-up
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Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa, Goa
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24th July, 2016
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Closing ceremony
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Final
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Peddem Sports Complex, Mapusa, Goa
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Chennai 5s
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Team Owner
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The Hindu
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Team Coach
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Ney Pereira
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Player
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Category
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Falcao
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Marquee Player
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Espindola (GK)
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Futsal Player
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Vampeta
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Futsal Player
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Pula
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Futsal Player
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Hemni
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Futsal Player
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Manel Rion
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Futsal Player
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Sean
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Futsal Player
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Faraz Abdul Azzez
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Indian Player
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Yash
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Indian Player
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Younus Pasha
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Indian Player
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Rohit Suresh (GK)
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Indian Player
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Anupam
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Indian Player
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Premier Futsal - Team Sheets
Mumbai 5s
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Team Owner
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DC Design
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Team Coach
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Felice Mastropierro
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Player
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Category
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Ryan Giggs
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Marquee Player
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Luis Amado (GK)
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Futsal Player
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Foglia
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Futsal Player
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Angellot
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Futsal Player
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Kevin
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Futsal Player
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Federico Perez
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Futsal Player
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Pablo
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Futsal Player
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Sai Nikhil
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Indian Player
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Jo Paul Bence (GK)
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Indian Player
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Mohammed Ahtesham Ali
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Indian Player
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Shubham Mane
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Indian Player
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Chanpreet
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Indian Player
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Kolkata 5s
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Team Owner
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Grassroot Entertainment Pvt. Ltd
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Team Coach
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Christian Roldan
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Player
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Category
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Hernán Crespo
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Marquee Player
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Cidao (GK)
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Futsal Player
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Saad
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Futsal Player
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Gabriel
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Futsal Player
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Cirilo
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Futsal Player
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Majdoub
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Futsal Player
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Dida
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Futsal Player
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Mohammed Islam
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Indian Player
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Amit Pal (GK)
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Indian Player
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Subrata Dey
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Indian Player
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Pradeep Shaw
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Indian Player
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Akshay Nair
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Indian Player
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Bengaluru 5s
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Team Owner
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Puneeth Rajkumar
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Team Coach
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Juan Jose Bernal Cierre
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Player
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Category
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Paul Scholes
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Marquee Player
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Elias (GK)
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Futsal Player
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Romulo
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Futsal Player
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Maxi
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Futsal Player
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Nabil
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Futsal Player
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Anatoliy
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Futsal Player
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Easy Man
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Futsal Player
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Zaib
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Indian Player
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Anto Rushith S
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Indian Player
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Jonathan
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Indian Player
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Abhishek R (GK)
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Indian Player
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Sathya Kumar
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Indian Player
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Kochi 5s
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Team Owner
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E S Entertainment
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Team Coach
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Sergio Sapo
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Player
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Category
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Salgado
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Marquee Player
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Casalone (GK)
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Futsal Player
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Neto
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Futsal Player
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Chaguinha
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Futsal Player
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Deives Moraes
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Futsal Player
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Gekabert
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Futsal Player
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Emil
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Futsal Player
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Muhammed Ameer
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Indian Player
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Basil
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Indian Player
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Yashwant Kumar (GK)
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Indian Player
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Ansh
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Indian Player
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Stalin Daniel
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Indian Player
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Goa 5s
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Team Owner
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Viiking Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd
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Team Coach
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Octavio Gomes De Oliveira Junior
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Player
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Category
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Ronaldinho
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Marquee Player
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Bebe (GK)
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Futsal Player
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Camilo
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Futsal Player
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Vander Carioca
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Futsal Player
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Burrito
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Futsal Player
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Georgievsky
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Futsal Player
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Adonias
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Futsal Player
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Michael Silva
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Indian Player
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Fredsan Marshall
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Indian Player
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Caitano
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Indian Player
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Vatsal (GK)
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Indian Player
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Praveendran
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Indian Player
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