England’s Futsal team shared two entertaining 2-2 draws with Germany on Friday and Saturday, in their first games of the new season at St. George’s Park.
Michael Skubala’s side, who are preparing for next month’s FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers in Italy, kicked-off in style on Friday evening and made a dream start to the game with captain Raoni Medina slotting home inside two minutes.
And the Futsal Lions built on that by doubling their lead in the ninth minute thanks to Russell Goldstein’s strike.
England were well on top at this stage and almost made it 3-0 with seven minutes left in the first half when Liam Palfreeman hit the post.
However, Germany hit back when fly keeper Muhammet Sozer struck home 90 seconds before the break to give themselves hope in the second half.
The second period was a more tight and tense affair, with the teams largely cancelling each other out.
But as England reached the five foul count, the German pressure began to build and with just ten seconds remaining, they levelled it up at 2-2 to leave England disappointed but also with plenty of positives to take from the game.
The nations met again less than 24 hours later on Saturday afternoon, when it ended all square at 2-2 again, although this time England had to come from behind after Germany took the lead via captain Timo Heinze.
But Palfreeman equalised in the 11th minute, picking out the top corner to bring his side back level.
William Wallace then struck the woodwork with a shot after great work from Stuart Cook, who fended off three defenders before winning a kick-in.
After the break, Germany were quickly on the front foot with England keeper Mark Croft forced into a number of saves before Heinze got his second of the game to restore their lead.
But in a role reversal from the first game, it was England's turn to score a late equaliser as Palfreeman scored his second of the day to make it 2-2.
Skubala’s charges will be in action again next month when they take on Hungary, Belarus and host nation Italy in the World Cup qualifying main round between 22-27 October.
