England’s Blind Footballers Win Friendly Game Before World Cup
The English Blind Football team has beaten Greece 1-0 in a match ahead of a major international competition.
The friendly match took place at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford which is hosting the World Blind Football Championships next month.
It will feature 10 teams, including world champions Argentina.
The college is among places holding an open weekend ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games.
The open weekend sees dozens of different free sporting and cultural events around the region.
Blind football rules
- The football contains ball bearings so it is audible
- The goalkeeper is sighted or visually impaired
- The four other players wear eyeshades to take account of differing degrees of eyesight
- A guide behind the goal directs players to shoot
- The pitch is surrounded by a rebound wall and there are no throw-ins
Photography students at the Hereford college are involved in an event based around blind football during the open weekend.
They are photographing centre visitors taking penalties while wearing eye shades. Their photos and art work will appear in an exhibition at the college during the championships.
The football tournament will be held from 14 August and will act as a direct qualifier for the Paralympics in 2012.
Simon Hall, an England defender, said he “thinks and hopes” the team can do well in the competition.
More than £14m has been spent at the college developing sports facilities. It also has opened an academy for blind players.
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