Cascavel Futsal is set to compete against Tubarão in the opening match of Liga Nacional on Saturday, February 28, at 17:00. The game will take place at the Neva gymnasium, a familiar venue for this rivalry, which has seen the two teams face each other in the opener for three consecutive seasons.
Cascavel Futsal’s Recent History Against Tubarão
The Cascavel Futsal team has a storied history with Tubarão. Last year, they achieved a resounding victory, defeating Tubarão 4-0 at the same venue. The goals in that match came from Pastega, an own goal, Scheffer, Bazzinho, and Vitinho, who are no longer with the team. Despite this, the core of the 2025 roster remains intact.
Current Team Composition
- Two key players from the 2021 Liga Nacional championship team, Carlão and Zequinha, are still part of the roster.
- The team has undergone some changes, but retains its competitive edge.
- The early season results have been less than stellar, with no wins in their recent Copa Gramado matches.
Early Season Challenges
This season has presented hurdles for Cascavel Futsal. In their first games of 2026, the team faced:
- Draws against Atlântico de Erechim and Praia Clube.
- A loss to Minas.
Additionally, in two recent Paraná Série Ouro matches, they managed a narrow victory over Ampére but then suffered a 2-0 defeat to Itaipulândia.
League Format Changes
The 2026 Liga Nacional will feature significant format changes. The league now consists of 16 teams in the top division and another 16 in the LNF Silver division. Teams will compete in a single round-robin format, with the top four advancing directly to the quarter-finals. Teams finishing fifth to twelfth will enter the knockout phase for a chance at the quarter-finals.
Expert Insights
Deividy Hadson, the coach of Cascavel Futsal, emphasizes the competitive nature of the newly structured league. “With fewer teams and matches, a higher technical level is expected,” he noted, reflecting on the upcoming challenges of the season.
Looking Forward
Fans are hopeful that a victory against Tubarão could signal a turnaround for Cascavel Futsal this season. The team looks to build upon their past successes in the league, drawing on memories from their triumphant run in 2021, when they advanced past Tubarão in the playoffs.
Additional Matches
The Liga Nacional’s opening round includes other significant matchups among Paraná teams. Notably, Pato Futsal will face Marreco de Francisco Beltrão, kicking off at 19:30. Both teams remain undefeated in the Paraná Série Ouro. Umuarama will also contend against Carlos Barbosa at 20:30 in a challenging away match in Rio Grande do Sul.
