Episode 2: The Futsal Begins

Training Day, Evening Game and a Brazilian Night Under Lights

Day two in São Paulo began the way all good tour days should begin. Breakfast at eight, a few yawns, a few hopeful smiles, and the honest question we ask on every trip. Did we actually sleep. Some did. Some did not. Either way we met our first job of the day on time.

By nine we were on the bus to a nearby training facility. Parents had a beautiful plan of their own, a five hour city tour to see the sights of São Paulo. The players stayed with the coaches, which gave the morning a quiet focus. Training started at ten thirty and ran for almost two hours. We worked through set plays, patterns in small spaces, and clear technical and tactical details. First touch clean. Support angles right. Decisions quick and simple. That kind of work leaves you tired in the right way.

Lunch at the shopping centre felt like a reward. The boys chose between sushi, a traditional Brazilian buffet, or pasta. Most went straight for sushi. A few chose pasta. Plates were full and conversations were easy. It is funny how food courts can feel like home when you travel as a team.

Back at the hotel we set a calm afternoon. The players had clear instructions. Rest, hydrate, legs up. Some slept. Some played a little pool or sat quietly with music. The coaches and managers prepared for the evening and took care of jobs that never make the headlines. A load of washing. Gear checks. Notes finalised. Our physio opened the door for an afternoon of treatment and the foam rollers came out like clockwork.

The hours moved quickly. Soon it was time to dress, tape, and meet for the game talk. A few boys came out of naps with slow eyes, but once the kit was on and the music started, the energy returned. We headed back to the same venue from the morning for a match against the local club Palestra.

Game: Australia vs Palestra Futsal

The game started at a sprint. Palestra scored first and the gym shook. The crowd was loud, their bench louder, and for a moment it felt like a final had broken out in the opening minute. The Palestra bench invaded the court like they had won a world cup match!! That was the spark we needed. Our boys equalised quickly and celebrated with the same joy. The first few minutes went punch for punch. They scored. We scored. The place was buzzing and the tempo was fierce.

Then we settled. Our rotations grew cleaner. Pressing lines were tighter. The bench brought energy that lifted the whole group. Palestra had some very good players but when they changed their five you could feel the drop. Our depth showed. The goals began to come at steady intervals and by half time we were in control. The second half was professional and patient. We kept the ball when we needed to, pressed with purpose, and finished our chances. By the end the margin was large and deserved. What mattered most was how we built it. Calm decisions. Shared roles. A team that trusted the plan.

After the final whistle there were hugs and handshakes, then photos with players and coaches from both teams. Instagram pages were shared, a few shirts were swapped, and we thanked Palestra for hosting us. We told them what we tell our own group. We value development over the scoreboard, and nights like this help everyone improve.

At last, Dinner.

Dinner was a short drive away at a relaxed bar and restaurant. Steak, chicken, rice, and chips landed on tables and disappeared quickly. Tired boys grew quiet in that content way that only good work and good food can create. We rode back to the hotel with windows cracked to the warm night air, a few heads resting against glass, and the simple feeling that today mattered.

Showers, recovery, lights out. The upcoming few days will bring the next massive challenges. For now we are exactly where we need to be.