Project Futsal Liverpool sit on top of the Women’s North division of the National Futsal Series as the league goes into the Christmas break.
The side has had a dream start to the season, winning all five games and scoring an impressive 65 goals. Only one team was able to put more than three goals past them and that was Derby Futsal Club Firsts who managed seven but conceded 13.
Captain, Tiffany Viagas is the second highest scorer so far having netted 10 goals. Viagas, who also plays for Liverpool John Moores University and Liverpool Feds, said the morale within the team is very high: “We have shown ruthlessness in front of goal. We put on strong performances each game and have shown that we are a difficult team to come up against. That being said, there are still some areas we can polish up on.”
Though slightly nonchalant about her goal tally, the Gibraltar international said she’s been working on beating the goalkeeper and is happy to help the team but the three points are what matters most. She believes that every member brings their own individual strength including the managers, Joe Ryan and Munir Ghailan who both bring knowledge and tactics from experience in high-level leagues.
She said: “We are a young team with an eye for goal, but also very well disciplined when defending. I’d say that our team cohesion is one of our big strengths and this can be noticed on the court when we perform.”
MATCHDAY #5 RESULT!
Big win as the PF charge continues!
Well done both teams and thank you to all the spectators who came to watch the game. pic.twitter.com/9Fika6BjSc
— Project Futsal (@ProjectFut5al) November 19, 2022
Project Futsal played their opener on October 15 against Loughborough Students FC, which they won 10-3. Though they have played at least one game more than the rest of the teams, the sheer number of goals scored shows that they have their eyes on the top prize. Even when the rest of the teams make up the number of games played and points, catching up with the goal difference will prove difficult.
In what Viagas describes as her best game, Project Futsal battered Bootham Futsal Club York 19-2. They then defeated Warrington 10-2 and won 13-1 against Leicester in their last game before the winter break.
Squad goals 💪 all smiles after our season opener and 10-3 win
PF Womens VS Loughborough Students 15/10/22 pic.twitter.com/sVpkYiLSIl
— Project Futsal (@ProjectFut5al) October 19, 2022
Picking the best goal was tough for Viagas who said there were plenty of great team goals.
“We are a team that move the ball quick and with our movement off the ball, we create many good goalscoring opportunities.”
Coach Ryan told Liverpool Echo in October that Futsal is a game of higher intensity. Because of the pace of the game, players must make decisions fast and are encouraged to take on the 1v1 situations they face.
For someone who also plays 11-a-side, Viagas attributed her success on the court to the off the ball movements and quick decisions she must make on the pitch to play out of a press.
“I would like to think that these skills are transferred to my futsal game and I hope to bring composure to the team when it’s needed.”
There might not be any more league matches until the new year, but the team are still training weekly and are already preparing for their return to the court when they take on Sunderland away on January 21.
