A team in Fukushima Prefecture broke the world record for the longest futsal match by playing continuously for 37 hours.
A team in Fukushima Prefecture broke the world record for the longest futsal match by playing continuously for 37 hours.
The match, which was organized as a morale booster following the March 11 earthquake, kicked off at 6 a.m. on Oct. 8 in the tsunami-stricken city of Iwaki and the final whistle was eventually blown at 7 p.m. the next day.
A total of 24 players participated in the five-a-side game, with players snacking and taking short naps when not on the pitch. Futsal is closely related to soccer but is played on a small pitch with a heavier ball and smaller goals. The match was watched by children from nearby temporary housing for quake victims.
The previous longest futsal match lasted about 36.5 hours. The Fukushima team said it would apply for recognition by Guinness World Records.