By Michael Lynch
Some of the world's best soccer players credit their technical ability, close control and skills to the fact that they honed their talents as youngsters playing futsal, the indoor version of the game.
Unlike in some other sports – particularly cricket, where newer versions of the game, like Twenty20, threaten to overtake the original – five-a-side soccer and the indoor game have never been real challengers to the outdoor version.
Bayern's Douglas Costa, left.Credit: AP
Still, it is particularly popular in Brazil, where so many gifted players grew up and is growing in support all over the world, including Australia, where junior coaches see it as a massive aid to skills development as it forces players to improvise in tightly restricted areas.
The arrival of Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid and Juventus for the ICC tournament at the MCG in late July has sparked plenty of headlines and anticipation, but anyone who is a fan of the indoor game will get the chance to whet their appetite a few weeks earlier when the world's leading futsal players arrive in Melbourne for a one-off competition at the State Netball and Hockey Centre
Futsal Oz is bringing together a group of futsal and football stars to compete against Victoria and Australia's best futsal players in a bid to showcase the sport here.
The event, known as Futsal Oz Live, will see a player the organisers refer to as "the Pele of world futsal ", Falcao, in action against the likes of Bayern Munich star Douglas Costa, another Brazilian who recently scored the winner in a penalty shoot out for the German giants as they defeated Borussia Dortmund in the German Cup Final.
Falcao has concentrated on building his professional career in futsal and he is a member of the Brazilian national futsal team.
Costa has made his name in the outdoor game and is a current member of the Brazilian national soccer team. The 25-year-old, who has played for Brazilian giants Gremio as well as leading Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk. He also played in Brazil's two recent FIFA World Cup qualifying games.
He was due to play for the Selecao in the Copa America but was forced to withdraw from the squad through injury but Futsal Oz is optimistic he will be able to make the trip to Australia, where he will also be joined by Rodrigo, the Brazilian national fustal captain.
Falcao and Rodrigo will turn out for Fitzroy FC, while Costa will play for reigning Series Futsal Victoria champions Pascoe Vale FC.
The tournament will kick-off with a match between men's teams FC Balwyn and FC Carlton. That will be followed by a one-off representative game, featuring the best women's futsal players from Sydney and Melbourne and special guest Vanessa Pereria, the captain of the Brazilian women's futsal team.