Today’s match between Fitzroy and Pascoe Vale will be Rico Zulkarnain’s last for up to three weeks after the Welsh-born player will represent his country in the ‘Home Nations’ futsal tournament.
Next week, Wales will take on England, Northern Ireland and Scotland in a tournament to settle scores against the best in the United Kingdom.
But before Zulkarnain, known as ‘RZ9’ in the futsal world, leaves Australian shores, he is looking forward to getting a win over his club’s arch-rivals Pascoe Vale.
“My last game is this Sunday in what looks to be one of the biggest games of the season, if not the biggest!” he told SeriesFutsal.com.
“I will look to sign out before I leave with a big win.”
The Home Nations tournament will see Zulkarnain play as many as three games, and he says that there is no better feeling that to represent his home country.
“I’m currently in the best shape both physically and mentally that I’ve ever been in. I’m really excited to join up with the rest of the squad,” he said.
“I think for any sportsman or elite athlete, representing your country is something you aspire to achieve as the pinnacle of your career. It really is a dream.
“There are no words to explain standing side by side to your team-mates when the national anthem is being played, it’s a special moment.
“For me to be the current top goal scorer of the national team is a personal achievement that I’m very proud of.”
Fitzroy and Pascoe Vale kick off at 4:05pm, and if watching big stars like Zulkarnain and Pascoe Vale’s Andre Caro isn’t enough, French freestyler Séan Garnier will be suiting up for Fitzroy as well. CLICK HERE for more.
If you can’t make it to the Thomastown Futsal Oz Stadium to see this titanic futsal clash, CLICK HERE for live stream coverage from 2:50pm AEDT.