The Solomon Islands have put the pressure back on Vanuatu in the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Futsal Championship in Suva after recording an exciting 4-2 victory over Tahiti on Match Day Six of the tournament.With one game to play both the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu are locked on twelve points and if both sides win tomorrow the championship will be determined by goal difference.

Vanuatu has the better goal difference but must overcome a combative Tahiti team while the Solomon Islands face winless Tuvalu in a quest to make up the twelve goal difference that separates the two top sides.

The gripping final day of action will see the winner represent OFC at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil in September.

In other Match Day Six action Fiji overcame Tuvalu 13-2 while New Caledonia ended their tournament with a 3-2 loss to New Zealand.

In the focal point of the afternoon Micah Lea’alafa struck first blood for the Solomon’s in the third minute with a rocket of a shot past Tahiti goalkeeper Rehia Davio. Jenan Kapu made it two in the ninth minute before Tahiti responded one minute later through Matana Bea.

James Egeta restored the Solomon Islands two goal buffer in the 25th minute but once again Tahiti bounced right back and just 30 seconds later Bea had scored his second of the night and created a nail biting final fifteen minutes. Jack Wetney eventually killed the game off with a goal in the last minute.

Kamal Hassan scored an incredible eight goals in Fiji’s 13-2 win over Tuvalu in the opening game of the day.

The Rewa striker scored the first five goals of the match in a one-man-assault on the Tuvalu backline before Neemia Onosemu pulled one back for Tuvalu just before halftime.

Mira Sahib, Sandeep Sanjesh Nair, Azmat Begg and Assis Chand added to the scoreline in the second half for Fiji while Tuvalu scored two late consolation goals through Semalie Fotu and Paitela Kelemene.

In the final match of the day New Caledonia opened the scoring in the eight minute thanks to an own goal by New Zealand defender Marvin Eakins.

New Zealand equalised soon after when Joshua Martin poked home from close range. New Zealand took the lead in the 17th minute when Victor Zaia provided reward for a dominating spell of possession.

Bakr Al Saudi scored his ninth goal of the tournament with five minutes remaining before Edouard Muracciolii created a nervous final five minutes for New Zealand with a late goal.

Tahiti will face Vanuatu in the first match of the final day tomorrow at 14H00 Local time.

Source : Oceania Football Confederation
Published : 13/6/2008

Be a part of the best Futsal Nursery in town! We are providing coaching to be done by the best Futsal players in Australia.The Sutherland Shire Futsal Association is in agreement with Football Federation Australia National Futsal Team players to provide an 8 week Futsal Coaching Clinic.

Dates are as follows: 20th, 27th July 2008; 3rd, 10th, 31st August 2008; 7th, 14th and 21st September 2008.

Time and venue for each session will be from 10.00am – 12 noon at Menai Indoor Sports Centre, 98 Allison Cresent, Menai.

$80 per player – 8 weeks. Payment upfront by no later than Friday, 11th July 2008 to secure your place. Once payment by EFT, cheque or money order is received the Association will confirm your place via reply email. SSFA refund policy also applies.

This Futsal Nursey will be a great grounding for selections, for teams to represent the region, in under 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11’s in the upcoming Football NSW State Futsal Championships in November 2008.

For more information please call Jonathan Simnett on 0417 042 145 or email: secretary@shirefutsal.com.au

Source : Sutherland Shire Futsal Association
Published : 12/6/2008

 

The 2008 Vikings National School Futsal Championships will be taking place in Dandenong Victoria this year, from Monday the 29th of September until Wednesday October the 1st.

Below are the entry form and informational booklet for the event.

Vikings National School Nomination Form 2008 (XLS)

Vikings National School Entry Booklet 2008 (DOC)

Please send any expressions of interest to Jade Banks asap.

Jade Banks
Schools Tours/Tournaments Manager
Vikings Futsal Asssociation
(07) 3875 2600
www.vikingsfutsal.com

Source : Vikings Futsal Association
Published : 13/6/2008

South Coast Taipans Futsal Club are playing in the NSW Super League Competition starting in October.

Trials will be held at the Illawarra Sports High School, and the dates are as follows :

12 BOYS – 3pm – 4pm on 13th & 27th July
14 BOYS – 4pm – 5pm 13th & 27th July
16 BOYS – 5pm – 6pm 13th & 27th July
YOUTH MEN (20’s) – 6pm – 7pm 13th & 27th July
MEN – 5pm – 6pm 6th & 20th July

13 GIRLS – 3pm – 4pm 6th & 20th July
16 GIRLS – 4pm – 5pm 6th & 20th July
WOMEN – 6pm – 7pm 6th & 20th July

Source : South Coast Taipans Futsal Club
Published : 13/6/2008

 

 

The Solomon Islands have moved back into first place – equal in points with Vanuatu – after defeating Tahiti 4-2 in one of the most exciting matches of the tournament so far.

It was a tale of the Solomon’s technical proficiency and skill against Tahiti’s discipline, heart and will-power and both sides were clapped off the field by a standing ovation by both appreciative sets of fans.

The result effectively ends Tahiti’s championship dream but the spirit of their performances and determination has won over fans throughout Suva.

For the Solomon’s the dream lives on and they will be hoping to finish with a flurry of goals in their last game against Tuvalu tomorrow.

Micah Lea’alafa struck first for the Solomon’s in the third minute with a rocket of a shot past Tahiti goalkeeper Rehia Davio.

The tactical awareness of the Tahitian defense was impressive throughout the match and for all the Solomon’s possession they found it difficult to penetrate their back line.

But their speed and skill created an opening for Jenan Kapu in the ninth minute and he put the Solomon’s two up with delicate finish inside the near post.

Tahiti responded in the best way one minute later when a sweeping move was finished off by Matana Bea.

The tension raised a level in the second half with both side aware of what a win would mean to their title chances.

In the 25th minute James Egeta restored the Solomon Islands two goal buffer with a powerful low drive from outside the box.

But once again Tahiti bounced right back and just 30 seconds later Bea had scored his second of the night and the crowd were back to biting their fingernails.

With the one goal lead and 15 minutes to play the Solomon Islands controlled possession and Tahiti formed a brick-like defense closing them down quickly at every opportunity.

As the half wore on Tahiti were forced to throw more numbers forward in search of an equalizer and this created more space for the Solomon Island attackers.

After a frenetic few minutes with both sides having good chances JackWetney killed the game off in the last minute to jubilant celebrations throughout the Solomon Island camp.

Solomon Island Coach Victor Wai’ia said the Tahitian defence was very hard to break down.

“Tahiti play at the same speed for the full 40 minutes and they are all very fast. I told the boys they would have no chance to slack off.

“They are very well organized in defence and we tried to keep possession in the last 15 minutes to wear them down.”

“We were also well organized today and the team worked very well. We will look into our plan for our final game against Tuvalu tomorrow.”

Tahiti coach Rani Bea said that he was very proud of his side’s determination and commitment tonight.

“Both the players in our squad and the people of Tahiti have terrific spirit and attitude, especially in the small island of Rapa where it is truly exceptional.

“We had nothing to lose towards the end of the match and so we pushed the goalkeeper up and played with five up. We tried everything we could.

“We know our team does not have the most skillful individual players here but we play with heart and are very technical in defence. We haven’t conceded a lot of goals in any match at this tournament.”

“We have ten players on the same level and this has helped us.”

TAH: 1. Rehia DAVIO (GK); 3. Jimmy RIARIA; 4. Romeo PATIRA; 6. Michel MAIHURI; 7. Steeven TINO;

SUBS: 2. Matana BEA; 5. Lysis TAUHA; 8. Tetuanui TINOMOE; 9. Lorama BEA; 10. Usiera PUKOKI; 11. Amau TETUANUI; 12. Fernand TUANUA;

Coach: Rani BEA (TAH)

Goals: 2. Matana BEA 10′, 25′;

SOL: 1. Alick LIOKA (GK); 3. Elliot RAGOMO; 7. James EGETA; 9. Micah LEA’ALAFA; 12. Jack WETNEY;

SUBS: 2. Phillip HOUTARAU; 4. Alfred PUNGUIKA; 5. Jenan KAPU; 6. Maffat SIKW’AE; 8.Francis LAFAI; 11. Ron GINIO; 13. StanleyPUAIRANA (RGK)

Coach: Victor WAI’IA (SOL)

Goals: 9. Micah LEA’ALAFA 3′; 5. Jenan KAPU 9′; 7. James EGETA 25′; 12. Jack WETNEY;

Referee: Chris COLLEY (AUS)

2nd Referee: Francois TROLLIARD (NCL)

3rd Referee: Amitesh BEHARI (FIJ)

Timekeeper: Rajnish DAVE (FIJ)

Referees’ Assessor: Chandra SEGRAN (FIJ)

Source : Oceania Football Confederation
Published : 13/6/2008

New Zealand survived a late scare from New Caledonia before completing a 3-2 win in the final game of match day five at the OFC Futsal Championships in Suva this evening.

Both sides were determined to finish the tournament on a positive note after making tough work of the earlier rounds.

For New Caledonia it brought an end to their first international Futsal tournament and they went close to snatching a point after trailing by two goals with five minutes to go.

New Caledonia opened the scoring in the eight minute thanks to an own goal by New Zealand defender Marvin Eakins.

They were level again one minute later when Joshua Martin poked home from close range after a tidy New Zealand build up.

New Zealand took the lead in the 17th minute when Victor Zaia provided reward for a dominating spell of possession.

Bakr Al Saudi scored his ninth goal of the tournament with five minutes to go and it seemed New Zealand had the match sown up.

But New Caledonia responded one minute later with a sweeping counter attack and a Edouard Muracciolii goal created a nervous final five minutes for New Zealand Coach Erkin Osman.

“The game didn’t need to be a heart attack but it was in the end,” said Osman. “We got into a comfortable two goal lead and then nearly threw it away again with some bad decisions in important areas.”

“But in the end the boys dug deep. We knew this game was important and the next one too because we want to finish the tournament on a positive note.”

“Every player was strong out there for us today and I was proud of our performance.”

New Caledonia Coach Eric Michalak said it was always going to be difficult to get up for the last game of the tournament.

“Today my guys were to slow and they only came alive in the last ten minutes. It was our first time at an international tournament and it was very good for learning and experience and developing New Caledonian Futsal.”

NCL: 1. Ronan EUZEN (GK); 3. Alexandre ROSSO; 4. Albert HNAILOLO; 5. Jerry IARUEL; 7. Edouard MURACCIOLII;

SUBS: 2. Jean Phillipe WEMAMA; 6. Benoit MOGLIA; 8. Yvan POUROUORO; 9. Yoan GARIN; 10. Marcias GINO RENE; 11. Stevens GUILLEMIN; 16. Ronald GAYON (RGK);

Goals: Own Goal 4. Marvin Eakins (NZL); 7. Edouard MURACCIOLII 36′;

Coach: Michalak ERIC (NCL)

NZL: 1. Elias BILLEH (GK); 4. Marvin EAKINS; 8. Joshua MARTIN; 10. Ouadhah RAGUED; 14. Bakr Al SAUDI;

SUBS: 20. Clayton CHAPPELL (RGK); 5. Yukin NAIDOO; 3. Andrew GWILLIAM; 19. Michael CORRINGHAM; 12. Luke FIELD; 17. Victor ZAIA; 23. Gregory O’CONNOR;

Goals: 8. Joshua MARTIN 9′, 17. Victor ZAIA 27′; 14. Bakr Al SAUDI 35′;

Coach: Erkin Osman (AUS)

Source : Oceania Football Confederation
Photos : Marc Peretic Wilson
Published : 13/6/2008

Kamal Hassan scored an incredible eight goals in Fiji’s 13-2 win over Tuvalu in the opening game of match day six at the OFC Futsal Championships in Suva, Fiji.

The Rewa striker scored the first five goals of the match in a one-man-assault on the Tuvalu backline before Neemia Onosemu pulled one back for Tuvalu just before halftime.

Mira Sahib, Sandeep Sanjesh Nair, Azmat Begg and Assis Chand added to the scoreline in the second half for Fiji in a clinical display of finishing.

Tuvalu scored two late consolation goals through Semalie Fotu and Paitela Kelemene.

Fijian Coach Imtiaz Khan said that despite a wilting squad his team kept pushing through tired legs.

“We played with only seven players today because of injuries and tiredness. We will give it our best shot tomorrow against New Zealand but it gets more difficult as the tournament wares on.

“I know that with the right preparation and if our players didn’t come straight out of the Fiji FACT tournament we could have done very well at this tournament. We will come out stronger next year.”

Tuvalu coach Sami Neemia was also finding it difficult to manage his sides tired legs.

“Our players were very weak today. There are niggling injuries throughout our squad but we can’t replace them now. We are a team of wounded players.

“But we will finish this through to the end. We have improved a lot at this tournament and I am happy with our progress.”

FIJ: 2. Mira SAHIB; 3. Sandeep Sanjesh NAIR; 5. Nayzal Siga Ali; 9. Kamal HASSAN;12. Nishad Wasim ALI (GK);

SUBS: 1. Azmat BEGG (RGK); 6. Assis CHAND; 8. Muni Arvindra NAIDU; 10. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR; 11. Imtiaz BEGG;

Coach: Imtiaz KHAN (FIJ)

Goals: 9. Kamal HASSAN 9′, 10′, 12′, 18′, 19′; 26′, 37′, 40′; 2. Mira SAHIB 20′; 3. Sandeep Sanjesh NAIR 27′, 6. Assis CHAND 36′;

Absent: 4. Alvin AVINESH; 7. Vikash PRASAD;

TUV: 1. Sopepe TAILOLO; 3. Tioti Maati TOAFA; 11. Imo FIAMALUA; 19. Mahanga TEIAPUTI; 21. Maio ETIMANI;

SUBS: 2. Felo FEOTO; 5.Mau PENISULA; 6. Paitela KELEMENE; 8. Peniuna KAITU; 9. Starchel SOLOSENI; 10. Semalie FOTU; 17. Neemia ONOSEMU; 22. Peniuna KAITU;

Coach: Toakai PUAPUA(TUV)

Goals: 8. Peniuna KAITU 17′;

Referee: Stephan PARAGE (NCL)

2nd Referee: Teihotu TAEREA (TAH)

3rd Referee: Jamie CROSS (NZL)

Timekeeper: Peter L. PAKOATONG (VAN)

Referees’ Assessor: Neil POLOSO (SOL)

Source : Oceania Football Confederation
Photos : Marc Peretic Wilson
Published : 13/6/2008

Key Kurukuru player misses Vanuatu clash

SOLOMON Kurukuru will play the strong and bigger Vanuatu side today in the OFC futsal championship in Fiji without one of their key players.

Jack Whetney, whose combination with Elliot Lilo Ragomo had so far proved devastating, is on a one-match suspension for receiving two yellow cards.

Whetney played with Ragomo in both the Australian and European futsal leagues.
But coach Victor Waiia is optimistic Whetney’s replacement will be as influential as the suspended player.
“We are going to miss Whetney’s service in this crucial game, but I believe in all the boys,” Waiia told Star Sport from Suva yesterday.

He said they were also pleased that their number one keeper Alick Lioka will be back playing today.
Lioka was red carded in their game against New Caledonia on Monday.
He missed the game on Tuesday against hosts Fiji, but replacement Stanley Puairana did well on the job.

INJURY
Waiia said Ragomo and Moffat Sikwa’ae were facing a bit of injury problem after their game against Fiji on Tuesday.
He said Ragomo’s injury was minor, but they are monitoring Sikwa’ae.

“We really had a tough and a physical battle against the Fijians and our players were just lucky to escape injury,” Waiia said.

TODAY’S MATCH
Waiia said their game against Vanuatu today is crucial.
“We must win this game if we are to remain clear on top of the tally. Vanuatu are a good and strong side with lots of experienced players. Really, it’s perhaps the most crucial match for us at this stage,” Waiia said.

The Kurukurus have so far convincingly won their first three matches against New Zealand, New Caledonia and Fiji.

After the three matches, Waiia said they’ve identified one of their biggest weaknesses.
“It happens in the first half,” Waiia said.

“The boys usually found it harder to settle down early. This resulted in them conceding more goals. They settled well in the second half and this is when you see them executing our game plan and style and score goals.”

Waiia said the management identified this area and advised the boys to concentrate and settle down as soon as they enter the court.

He said the boys are focusing on today’s crucial game and look forward to do what they loved doing – scoring goals.

SUPPORT
Waiia said they also appreciate the support they are receiving from Solomon Islanders studying and living in Fiji.

“Since we started playing, around 500 Solomon Islanders called in at each game to render their support.
“This boosted the morale of the boys and give them a strong fighting spirit,” Waiia said.

Source : Solomon Star News
By :  Romulus Huta
Published : 13/6/2008

The Vanuatu FUTSAL side recorded the biggest upset of the 2008 Vodafone OFC FUTSAL Championship in Suva tonight when it impressively outclassed tournament favorites Solomon Islands 5-1 to become overnight leaders for a place in the World Cup.Vanuatu played with lots of guts and confidence and completely shut the Solomon Islands attack in both spells.

Siardon Talkanamal scored the lone goal of the first spell and took the teams to the breather with Vanuatu leading 1-0.

Tafea FC midfielder Fedy Vava scored the second goal for Vanuatu in the sixth minute of the second spell to put the Solomon Islanders under pressure but a well timed move by Solomon defender James Egeta resulted in Solomons pulling one back and remaining in close range.

Saen Fanai brought the Vanuatu crowd on its feet when he brilliantly outclassed two Solomon Islanders to put Vanuatu in the driving seat with a 3-1 score.

Two further goals in the last ten minutes through Louis Dominique and Terry Quare gave Vanuatu its famous victory in the tournament with a convincing 5-1 margin.

Vanuatu goalie Chikau Mansale was the man of the match as he time and again made some excellent saves in the game while Solo sensation Elliot Ragomo was completely lost in the match and was heavily marked all throughout.

Vanuatu coach Marcellino Barthelemy was on cloud nine after the victory and said his team was all out now to top the qualifiers and play in the world cup.

“I am extremely happy with the performance of my team and am glad we have taken the much needed lead on the points table which will keep us on our toes till the final game.

“We are on a rest day tomorrow and will work out our strategies for our last and most important game on Saturday against Tahiti which will decide which team goes through.

“We are confident of our chances and will leave no stones unturned in the final match” he added.

Meanwhile in the earlier match, New Caledonia thumped minnows Tuvalu 10-2.

In tomorrow’s fixtures, host Fiji faces Tuvalu in the opening match followed by Tahiti vs Solomon Islands and New Zealand vs New Caledonia.

The Fijian FUTSAL side has exited the race for a spot in the upcoming World Cup after they suffered their third consecutive defeat with two games remaining in the Oceania FUTSAL World Cup qualifiers.

This, after the hosts were dumped 9-2 by a fit and skillful Tahiti side at the Vodafone Arena early this evening.

The Tahitian team remains unbeaten in the round robin competition and will take on the other unbeaten side in the competition so far, the Solomon Islands.

Tahiti will then take on Vanuatu on Saturday.

Source : Fiji Live
Published 12/6/2008