3 Saskatoon players clinch spots in 1st FIFA Futsal World Cup [Video]

Canada Soccer’s women’s futsal national team — which features three Saskatoon players — won the inaugural CONCACAF women’s futsal championship in Guatemala City last weekend, clinching a spot in the first-ever FIFA Futsal World Cup.

Futsal is often compared to indoor soccer, but played in a smaller court with a few different rules.

The fast-paced game has made its mark internationally, but is still growing in Canada and across the province.

Saskatoon’s Erica Hindmarsh, Jadyn Steinhauer and Jade Houmphanh are three of the 14 Team Canada players who beat Panama 8-2 to win the championship. University of Saskatchewan Huskie Coach Jenson Barandica-Hamilton also joined the team as an assistant coach.

Barandica-Hamilton said he was “amazed” when the team, which had only started playing together earlier this year, was able to secure the win.

“I don’t think it has fully sunk in yet,” he said.

“What we were able to accomplish …