FUTSAL vs FOOTBALL

For the football fans and futsal organisers, this blog may be of concern to you as I am going to highlight the differences and similarities of Futsal with Football.
Futsal is played with a low bounce size 4 ball whereas football, a size 5 ball. 5 players including the goalkeeper for Futsal, 11 for the normal game. In normal football only 3 substitutions can be used while ‘rolling substitution’ is implemented in Futsal (players can go out and come in again as many times as they like). Duration of play (Futsal) is 20 minutes of stoppage time whereas it is 45 minutes of running time in normal football. One time out is allowed in each half in Futsal but none for football. Ball out of play is restarted with a kick in (throw in for normal game) or goal clearance (goal kick). Corner kick is in use for both games. All fouls that are not permissible are the same for both games. In addition, no tackling or shoulder charge is permitted in Futsal.

In normal game the goalkeeper is allow to hold the ball within 6 seconds but in Futsal, the goalkeeper can only keep the ball in his hand or feet for only 4 seconds. 4 seconds rule is also applicable during free kicks, corner kicks and kick in.

For all Maldivian organisers, it is much appreciated to follow closely the Laws of the Game to raise the standards and level of the game in term of the play and the organising of the game. Elements that can be amended in the rules of the competition are duration of the match, number of players in a team (minimum is five), it shall be invalid if it is less than 3 and the size of the pitch. The goals shall not be smaller unless it is not name FUTSAL.