From January 25 to 28, 1965, the historic first official international indoor soccer tournament in the world was held in Asunción, Paraguay.
It was the South American championship, organized by the Paraguayan Indoor Soccer Federation and played in the largest multi-sport stadium of that distant era in the Paraguayan capital, the Comuneros stadium.
The event served to popularize the still-new discipline, as the competition was held with free entry and massive support from the media.
On Monday, January 25, after the opening ceremonies, the local Paraguayan team beat Argentina 17-0. And in the second half, Brazil beat Uruguay 5-2.
After a day of rest, the second match was held on Wednesday 27th at the San Luis stadium, with Paraguay winning 4-0 over Uruguay and Brazil winning 4-1 against Argentina.
In the third and final match, held on January 28, 1965, at the Comuneros stadium in front of ten thousand people, in the preliminary round, Uruguay beat Argentina 5 to 4, reaching third place.
And in the stellar duel for the title, Paraguay beat Brazil 2-1.
COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS
The Paraguayan Indoor Soccer Federation will celebrate this historic event today with two events.
First, a floral offering will be placed on a monolith located in Plaza Comuneros, the main stage of the competition.
The main event will then take place at the Hakarandá Residence, with the presentation of a film and the launch of a new historical book by the president of AMFutsal and the Paraguayan Federation, Dr. Rolando Alarcón Rios, entitled: “Indoor soccer in Paraguay, an example of struggle and glory!! 1962-2025”.
The activity will close with a toast.
Photo: Paraguayan national team, champion of the first international tournament in the world (South American tournament in Asunción, 1965)