NEWPORT Velodrome will host the first futsal internationals in Wales when Andorra visit the city at the end of this month.

The friendly matches will be played on Saturday, October 26, and Sunday, October 27, with both kicking off at 6.30pm.

Futsal is a variant of football played on a smaller pitch and mainly indoors.

The name comes from the Portuguese futebol de salão, which can be translated as ‘hall football’.

It was developed in Brazil and Uruguay in the 1930s and 1940s as a solution to the lack of available football fields.

The game is played between two teams of five players with unlimited substitutions are permitted and uses a smaller ball with less bounce than a regular football.

The surface, ball and rules create an emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique as well as ball control and passing in small spaces.

So far, the Wales team has played six international matches, the first two being friendly matches in Andorra just over a year ago.

They have also played in the UEFA qualifiers last season in Bulgaria where they met the hosts, plus Greece and Armenia.

At the end of the season they narrowly lost a friendly international with England.

Head coach and futsal development officer Richard Gunney said: “I am delighted to be hosting our first home International futsal fixtures. It will be a tough two games but the squad are confident and ready for the task ahead.

“This will be a great opportunity for the squad to continue their progress in the international game and gain valuable experience but they will also be looking for the win.”

Tickets for the match in Newport are priced at £3 for adults, £1 for under-16s.

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