They are new and inexperienced in FUTSAL soccer, but don’t count out the Solomon Islands team form this weekend’s Vodafone Oceania Football Confederation FUTSAL competition.

The week long meet starts at the Vodafone Arena in Suva tomorrow and the Solomon Islanders, according to team manager Simon Dyer, will be on fire when they open the tournament against New Zealand tomorrow.

“We have a very young team which was put together a month ago. We are new to the code but we have the underdog fighting spirit to score upsets,” he added.

“We anticipate a close competition with all teams coming prepared to win the qualifier. Fiji, New Zealand and Vanuatu are our threats but we will be there to fight everyone to win the round robin competition,” he added.

Solomons open the tournament against New Zealand tomorrow at 5pm followed by Tuvalu and Vanuatu (6.30pm), and Fiji against New Caledonia at 8pm.

Source : FijiLive
Published : 6/6/2008

The NZ Team Announcement for the OFC Championship in Fiji this weekend.The New Zealand national Futsal team, the FutsAllwhites, is looking forward to the upcoming OFC Championship which kicks-off in Suva, Fiji on 8 June.

Recently appointed NZ coach Erkin Osman has been working extra hard preparing his squad for a busy schedule which involves six games in seven days.

Cypriot-born Osman came highly recommended and has an impressive CV as player and coach which includes the only player to make four Futsal World Cup appearances for Australia and coaching Socceroo and Everton star, Tim Cahill as a junior.

The 12 man squad includes four from the previous campaign in 2004 where NZ finished runners-up to Australia. This time the FutsAllwhites are hoping to go one better and qualify for the first time as the Oceania representative at the FIFA Futsal World Cup later this year in Brazil.

Auckland Futsal club, East City provides the bulk of the squad with eight players, one from Futsal North Shore, two from Capital Futsal in Wellington and one from Brisbane.

NZ squad:

HOD: Gaye Powell
Coach: Erkin Osman
Manager: Barbara Gwilliam
Physio/Manager: Sebastian Cormier

1. Elias Billeh (GK)
20. Clayton Chappell (GK)
4. Marvin Eakins
5. Yukin Naidoo
8. Joshua Martin
9. Andrew Gwilliam
12. Luke Field
14. Bakr Al Saudi
10. Ouadhah Ragued
17. Victor Zaia
19. Matt Corringham
23. Greg O’Connor

About New Zealand Futsal

New Zealand Futsal is appointed by New Zealand Football to be responsible for all Futsal activities throughout the New Zealand. It’s initial focus has been on training and submitting a representative team to OFC Championship.

Source : Scoop Independent News
Published : 4/6/2008

Fiji Futsal coach Intiaz Khan describes his teams opening three matches of the OFC Futsal Championships in Suva as ‘crucial’ to their quest to reach the FIFA Futsal World Cup later this year.

The indoor, five-a-side tournament kicks off on Saturday and the host side plays their pacfic island neighbours in its first three games and has set their sights on raking in maximum points from the opening three days play.

Khan targeted the first three games that and said that the with that momentum it would be very difficult for any team to stand in their way of their first ever appearance in football World Cup event.

“I can confidently say that if my team is able to win the opening three games, then no one will be able to us from making the World Cup,” Khan said.

“So positive results in the first three matches is our initial strategy.”

The inclusion of Lautoka midfielder Alvin Avinesh and Navua’s Siga Ali has been a major boost.

“The two combined well with the other players making us become a stronger unit,” Khan said.

The former Suva rep has been able to assess his sides with the matched played against local teams.

“It has been improving daily and I am happy with the progress,” he said.

Suva defender Mira Sahib and Rewa striker Kamal Hassan are contenders for role of skipper in the week-long tourney.

Meanwhile, Solomon Islands coach Victor Waiia said they were prepared to take on their opponents.

“We are going for our best and we will treat each match seriously, one at a time,” Waiia said.

Solomon Islands will go into this tournament with the youngest senior team ever. The teams youngest player is 18.

Waiia said he had been grooming these boys since the under 12 level and after many years in the sport, they could do it.

There are two players in the team who will boost the squad at the qualifiers.

Elliot Ragomo and Jack Whetney both have experience paying in the high profile European and Australian Futsal leagues.

Waiia said most of their members were from the team that participated in the Australia National Futsal Championship in January this year in Canberra.

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

Lack of international exposure and match practice has been the major setback for the Fiji FUTSAL team, which will compete in the Vodafone OFC FUTSAL Qualifiers at the Vodafone Arena starting on Sunday.Fiji FUTSAL secretary Jainendra Sukhu said the only worry for the host nation was the lack of exposure for its players.

Otherwise, he said, the team was fully prepared and raring to give in their best at the tourney.

“We faced problems in getting the team together in camp because of the Fiji FACT tournament but it’s good to see the boys are all in shape after the tournament and there are no major injuries in the team,” Sukhu said.

“The boys got into camp on Monday and went through a pool session to cool off and relax before starting the final phase of preparations under coach Intiaz Khan, who has been putting a lot of effort into preparations.

“We are expecting tough competition because the other nations have been playing competitively and also have international experience while our team is totally new and is yet to gain international exposure,” he said.

“This should not really be a problem as we will be playing on our home turf,” he added.

While the entire forward and defensive players featured for their respective teams in the Fiji Bitter FACT tournament last weekend, the two goalkeepers in the national team did not feature at all and it will be interesting to note their performances in the playoffs.

Rewa’s Wasim Ali was on the bench for the Delta Tigers in the FACT while Azmat Begg was dropped from the Labasa team.

Fiji will open its campaign against New Caledonia in the last match on Sunday evening.

In the opening match, New Zealand will play Solomon Islands while Vanuatu faces Tuvalu.

Fiji team: Goalkeepers- Azmat Begg (Labasa), Wasim Ali (Rewa), Defenders- Ashish Chand (Nasinu), Siga Ali (Navua), Vikash Prasad (Suva), Sandeep Nair (Labasa) Midfielders- Dinesh Mudliar (Labasa), Mira Sahib (Suva), Alvin Avinesh (Lautoka), Strikers- Kamal Hassan (Rewa), Arvindra Naidu (Lautoka), Intiaz Begg (Labasa).

Source : FijiLive
Published : 5/6/2008

Sydney Benfica Futsal Club is currently calling for all interested Coaches and Managers to submit an expression of interest for the upcoming 2008/09 Football NSW Futsal Super League season. Coaching positions are available for Boys: 12, 14, 16, Youth Men (19 years) and Open Men. Girls: 13, 16 years and Open Women.

All current and new Coaches who apply will be expected to abide by the following:

* Being a minimum Futsal Level One Accredited Coach
* Adhere to the Football NSW Coaches Code of Conduct
* Understanding of the 2008/2009 Football NSW Futsal Super League season
* Compliance with a Working with Children (WWC) declaration
* Assist at the team trials, and work with fellow coaches in selecting the final teams
* All Coaches will be highly organised, be willing to work as a team and possess and teach Futsal fundamentals.

If you are interested in any of these positions send your email to: info@benfica.com.au

Source : Sydney Benfica FC

KELLYVILLE High School scored a double win in the recent regional indoor soccer championship at Campbelltown.

The school’s boys and girls indoor soccer teams have both cruised into the 2008 NSW Schools Regional Futsal Championships final after top performances on the court on May 21 and 22.

The girls were undefeated in all of their seven matches they beat Elderslie High School 3-0 in the final.

Meantime, the boys ran out runners-up in the final (4-3 against Sydney College) despite being undefeated during the championship.

Fabio Caprarelli, the head coach of both teams, said he was “ecstatic’ with the players’ performance.

“They all played unbelievably [well],” Caprarelli said.

“The girls are a determined side and they can structure their defence pattern.

“They really want to win and [they] show that in their matches.

“Considering five out of the six players have never played soccer, it’s fantastic.”

Caprarelli said the boys were disappointed with their performance in the final, but were pleased to get through to the state championships.

“They boys trained really hard for the championships and it was very unlucky for them to lose the finals they won all their nine games previous to the finals. But I am quietly confident they will do well at state.”

Both teams train every morning, afternoon and lunchtime. “They absolutely love it and it’s great to see them put in the work and do well,” Caprarelli said.

The state championships will be held at Penrith Sports Stadium from June 23 to 26.

Source : The Northern News
By : Amanda Keane
Published : 3/6/2008

THE Senior Men’s futsal team ‘Solomon Kurukuru’ left for Fiji yesterday to participate in the Oceania Futsal World Cup qualifying tournament.

The competition kicks off from June 8 to 14.

They will be competing against New Zealand, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, and Tahiti.

The winner will gain automatic entry into the Futsal World Cup to be held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, this coming October.

Solomon Islands play New Zealand in the tournament opener.

Coach Victor Waiia said they are prepared to take on their opponents.

“We are going for our best and we would take each match seriously as they come.”

Solomon Islands will go into this tournament with the youngest senior team ever.

The team’s youngest player is only 18.

Waiia said they have been keeping these boys since the under-12 level and after many years in the sport, they can do it.

There are two players in the team that would boost their performance at the qualifier.

They are Elliott Ragomo and Jack Whetney.

The duo have experience playing in the high profiled European and Australian Futsal leagues.

Waiia said most of their members were from the team that participated in the Australia National Futsal Championship January this year in Canberra.

He said the tournament was used for their preparation.

Last week, they also spent a week of intensive training at the Dural Sports and Leisure Centre in Sydney where they played three warm up matches.

The OFC Championship is held every four years with the winner progressing to the FIFA FUTSAL World Cup.

This year marks the first championship since Australia moved from Ocean to the Asian confederation.

Australia represented Oceania in the last Futsal World Cup.

Fixtures

June 8

5pm: Solomon Islands v. New Zealand
6.30: Tuvalu v. Vanuatu
8pm: Fiji v. New Caledonia

Tahiti – bye

June 9

5pm: New Zealand v. Vanuatu
6.30pm: Solomon Islands v. New Caledonia
8pm: Tuvalu v.Tahiti,

Fiji – bye

June 10:
5pm: Vanuatu v. New Caledonia
6.30: New Zealand v. Tahiti
8pm: Solomon Islands v. Fiji

Tuvalu – bye

June 11
5pm: New Caledonia v. Tahiti
6.30: Vanuatu v. Fiji
8pm: New Zealand v.Tuvalu

Solomon Islands – bye

June 12
5pm: Tahiti v. Fiji
6.30: New Caledonia v.Tuvalu
8pm: Vanuatu v. Solomon Islands

New Zealand – bye

June 13

5pm: Fiji v. Tuvalu
6.30pm: Tahiti v. Solomon Islands
8pm: New Caledonia v. New Zealand

Vanuatu – bye

June 14
5pm: Tuvalu v. Solomon Islands
6.30pm: Fiji v. New Zealand
8pm: Tahiti v. Vanuatu

New Caledonia – bye

Source : Solomon Star News
By : Romulus Huta
Published : 5/6/2008

THE New Zealand national futsal team, the Futsall Whites, have appointed Erkin Osman as its coach for the upcoming OFC Championship which kicks off this weekend.Cypriot-born Osman comes highly recommended and replaces Brod Crighton.

Osman has an impressive profile as a player and coach which includes the only player to make four World Cup appearances for Australia in Futsal and coaching Socceroo and Everton star, Tim Cahill as a junior.

The 12-member squad includes four from the previous campaign in 2004 in which NZ finished runner-up to Australia. Australia is this year competing in the Asian Championship and NZ futsal are hoping that their absence will open the door for NZ to represent OFC at the World Cup later this year in Brazil.

Auckland club East City provides the bulk of the squad with eight players, one from Waikato, two from Capital Futsal in Wellington and one from Brisbane.

Osman got a good look at the squad last week when they met in Auckland.

The side is the top bet for the playoffs to make the World Cup.

It will face competition from Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Competition starts on Saturday.

Source : The Fiji Times
Published 4/6/2008

NAVUA’S Siga Ali is expected to join the Fiji five-a-side team today as three days remain for the start for the Oceania FUTSAL World Cup playoffs.

The Fiji FACT winning squad member has asked the team officials for time off as he has a family commitment.

Coach Intiaz Khan has been working with the rest of his team members in Suva and his major areas are to get the players back into shape after four days of tough outing with their respective districts at the FACT.

“We have been working on conditioning and getting the players back in shape,” Khan said.

“There are minor injuries and knocks.”

The team hit the pools yesterday to recuperate.

Khan, who was known for his stunning free kicks during his playing days with Suva, also played for the Fiji side in five-a-side.

“So far I am happy with the preparations we have been having,” he said.

“Can’t complain and the players will go out there and do their utmost best.”

Fiji Football Association FUTSAL secretary Jainendra Sukhu said they had a good set of players but there were areas which needed to be perfected.

“While our players have been playing and we have a good set of players, this tournament is of another level,” Sukhu said.

“The players are going to play at another level and will have to prepare mentally and physically for that.”

Former Suva rep Soromon Seule has been named in the Vanuatu side.

Fiji starts its quest against New Caledonia on Saturday then it faces the Solomon Islands on day three of competition after a bye on the second day.

Vanuatu is Fiji’s next opposition and then Tuvalu before facing off with rivals, New Zealand in what is expected to be a thriller and the decider.

The tournament will be played on a round-robin basis with the team finishing with the highest number of points qualifying from the region.

The OFC Futsal Championship is held every four years with the winner progressing to the FIFA Futsal World Cup, which will be held in Brazil this year in September.

This year marks the first OFC Futsal Championship since Australia switched confederations from OFC to Asia.

Australia has won the last four OFC Futsal championships since 1992 and their absence will provide a great opportunity for other OFC nations to attend their first FIFA Futsal World Cup. In the last tournament in 2004 New Zealand was runner-up to Australia while Vanuatu beat Fiji in the third and fourth place playoff.

Fiji team:

Alvin Avinesh, Arvindra Naidu Azmat Begg, Imtiaz Begg, Dinesh Mudaliar, Sandeep Nair, Kamal Hassan, Wasim Ali, Siga Ali, Ashish Chand Vikash Prasad ,Mira Hussein Sahib.

Source : Fiji Times
By : Indra Singh
Published : 4/6/2008

A 3 day program offered to players interested in playing/learning Futsal over the school holidays and having fun!

Two Venues Available:

North Side – Brendale
Days – 7th to the 9th July (Monday to Wednesday)
9am to 12pm

South Side – Acacia Ridge
Days – 9th to the 11th July (Wednesday to Friday)
9am to 12pm

For more information click here

For an entry form click here

Source : Queensland Futsal (Vikings)
Published : 4/6/2008