Star sport reporter, Philip Lilomo looks back on the best moments of football in 2008, just one day before we enter into New Year tomorrow.

TENSIONS, drama, suspense, football excitement and surprises – 2008 had it all in footballing terms.

Soccer lovers from all corners of Solomon Islands certainly got their money’s worth as the beautiful game proved just how beautiful it can really be in our country known for its passion in soccer throughout the region.

Emotions and excitement were the order of the day, and 2008 certainly had more than its fair share of tears of joy and sorrow and heart-rending moments in terms of football.

The whole Solomon Islands leaped for joy when the young Kurukuru unexpectedly qualified for the Futsal World Cup.

But it was mixed emotion of heart rending moments and sorrow when our national under-23 just missed out from qualifying for their first Olympic after a vey solid performance in the qualifiers in Fiji.

Futsal 2008 was one of the high points of the year, with the Men’s team competing in the World Cup in Brazil.

And then, mere days after Totori had helped defend their Oceania club champion title with Waitakere United and booked a place in the World Club Championship.

Totori eventually become the first Solomon Islander to play professional football after being signed by Portland Timbers of the USA.

Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 was also one of the highest points of Solomon Islands football this year.
Those were just some of the football highlights and of course stories that grabbed headlines which made Solomon Islands soccer proud this year.

Now here are more details of soccer events in the country this year.

O LEAGUE- KOSSA VS WAITAKERE

The year started off with soccer lovers treated with a chance to witness the final of the O League after Kossa booked a final showdown with Waitakere United of New Zealand.

As usual, fans packed the Lawson Tama stadium not only to support their club champions Kossa but also to see two of the countries most recognised strikers Commins Menapi and the sensational Benjamin Totori playing at home for the first time with Waitakere.

Kossa with their PNG import Reginald Davani, superb combination of James Naka and Joe Luwi and regular big names like Gideon Omokirio, Samson Takayama, Tome Faisi and Severino Aefi did not disappoint the huge crowd that day as they wrote another chapter in the history books as the first Solomon Islands team to beat a New Zealand club.

Kossa brought joy to many in the country and across the region when they beat Waitakere 3-1 in the first leg of the O League final.

But that joy was short lived when they suffered a huge set back, losing to Waitakere in the return leg 5-0 where Totori opened the scoring for his side.

NATIONAL CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP

And then came the National Club Championship where champions’ football clubs from all provinces came together in Honiara and produced two weeks of competitive football in the national capital Honiara to decide on the county’s next O League rep.

Unfortunately Renbel, Isabel, Choiseul and Temotu Province were not able to send their club champions to that Tournament.

The absence of the four provinces allowed HFA to enter five Honiara clubs in the tournament namely defending champions Kossa, Marist, Uncles, super 8 winners Koloale and DJ League champions Makuru.

Western and Malaita Province entered two teams each Kokohale and Lagoon Brothers of Western and Landowners and Fasi Roos of Malaita Province.

The qualification of the four Honiara teams Kossa, Uncles, Koloale and Makuru to the semi finals showed the strength of the active league in Honiara compared to the provinces.

Former champions Kossa lost key players in the semis due to suspension and injuries and lost to Makuru 3-1. Eventual winners Koloale beat a determine Uncles 1-0 in the other semi to book a grand final showdown with Makuru.

The grand final between Koloale and Makuru ended in a controversial penalty shootout.

These two teams also meet in the super final which Koloale also won, so that club championship final had rivalry written all over it.

This was evident when the final ended with protest by the Makuru players.

Koloale won on penalty shootouts, and Jeffrey Bule’s spot kick was the centre of controversy as he hit the ball into the goal and rebounded from the inner post which the referee failed to see and had to consult his assistance. The referee later allowed the goal which sparked anger to the Makuru players.

Presentation was delayed because of this, pending on the decision.
Decisions went correctly to Koloale and they earn the right to now represent Solomon Islands in the O League.

WANTOK CUP

Initiated by the Solomon Islands Football Federation (SIFF) the first Wantok Cup this year was seen as way of giving national teams from the three Wantok countries PNG, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands a chance to play international matches ahead of the Pacific Games.

PNG was not able to make it to this year’s Wantok Cup leaving only Solomon national team, the Solomon Bonito, Vanuatu national team and Solympics national under-23 to take part.

The young Solympics side lead by captain and goal keeper Shadrick Ramoni edged the two national teams to win the first ever Wantok Cup.

The Wantok Cup is a smaller version of the Melanesian Cup.

DJ LEAGUE 2008

The 2008 season of the DJ League saw some fantastic show of football at Lawson Tama and the AE Oval for fans in Honiara with the league games.

One of the stories making headline on the start of the season was the transfer of national flanker James Naka from Kossa to Zome Mars.

Also the transfer of two best rated player of the DJ League and Makuru key players Sale and Maemae to Auckland City in New Zealand.

With the DJ League this season played in only one round competition was tough with team fighting for the top places on the table.

It was Makuru who lived up to reputation and treated fans in Honiara with some sparkling football to win the DJ League 2008 season finishing on 25 points.

Makuru only managed to getaway with the title after beating O League reps Koloale on goal difference.

GIDEON OMOKIRIO PLAY IN KAREMBEU’S GOLDEN JUBILEE

One of the country’s veteran national player Gideon Omokirio described playing on the Karembeu Golden Jubilee in New Caledonia as one of the highlights of his career as a soccer player.

Omokirio was invited to play in the Karembeu golden jubilee against France and some of the big names of world football like Zinedine Zidane the one time world cup winner and player of the year.

Omokirio revealed that he had learned a lot of their simple way of football and that it takes commitment to become a best player.

Omokirio has represented the country in all level from under 17 to the national team and also captained the national team on a few occasion.

He is also captain of Kossa and the Bilikiki national Beach Soccer Team.

A well deserved achievement for someone who has contributed a lot to nationals teams in the country.

OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS IN FIJI

The Solympics national under-23 showed superiority in the Olympic qualifiers producing scary moments for the other islands country.

With the inclusion of national player Benjamin Totori, Nelson Sale and Alick Maemae in the squad they posed a treat to favorites New Zealand.

The decisive game in that qualifier was the Solomon Islands/ New Zealand match which Solomon Islands finished that game with 9 players.

Totori and Maemae were red carded in that 2-0 nil loss.

Totori ended the tournament with the highest goal scored winning the golden boot.

THRILLS AND DRAMA ON SAND AND INDOORS

Goals banged the back of the net from the left, right and centre this year but not only on the grass but also on the Sand and indoors on the court.

The FIFA Beach Soccer Tournament in France this year saw our very own Bilikiki put up a wonderful display winning their last game against El Salvador.

The Bilikiki bowed out in the pool stages but flew the flag of the Solomon Islands proudly in France, something not many Islands countries have the opportunity to do.

Brazil went on to win the tournament.

Solomon Islands were pooled with Portugal, Italy and El Salvador.

Beach soccer boy continued to shine on the world stage netting eight goals for his country in that World Cup.

FUTSAL

The young lads of the Kurukuru national Futsal team went against all odds and qualified for the Futsal World Cup in Brazil.

When the team flew to Fiji for the qualifiers, nobody thought that this team made up of teenagers aged from 17-22 would win.

Both in the country and Solomon Islands community in Fiji flow critics to the team which held their heads high and put God first for their victory.

Kurukuru proved those critics wrong and qualified for the World Cup, a result that stunted the country.

Inspired by their captain Elliot Ragomo the brave Kurukuru flow to Brazil for the World Cup and loss all their games but won many hearts on their way back.

O LEAGUE (KOLOALE)

Our O League reps this year are getting off to a good start in the O League with a win against Hekari at home and a draw away to Ba.

The signing of Henry Fa’arodo and Joses Nawo have boosted the teams morale many have hinted that they are going all the way to the final.

They beat Hekari 3-1 and drew with Ba 0-0.

They have a away game with Hekari left in Port Moresby and a game which looks likely to be the decider against Ba at home.

Both Koloale is leading group B with four points on goal difference ahead of Ba.

Koloale are currently taking a break off training and will resume training on the 5th January in preparation for their next match.

OCEANIA ALL STAR VS BECKHAM”S LA GALAXY

Four Solomon Islands international players had their chance of the life time to play against the Worlds most famous player David Beckham.

Henry Fa’arodo, Judd Molea, Nelson Sale and Alick Maemae were selected into the Oceania All Star team that played Beckham’ Galaxy on December 6th.

Not only against Beckham but along side World Cup winner Karembeu and also guest player Edger Davids.

TOTORI PLAYS IN USA

Solomon Islands sensational striker become the first Solomon Islander to play professional football in the USA when he was signed by Portland Timbers to play in the US Division 1.

But his dreams was short lived when he entered an injury crisis and forced to come home for rehabilitation.
But the electrifying striker refused to back down and continued to shine and joined his old club Waitakere and played in the recent World Club Championship in Japan.

MAEMAE AND SALE JOIN AUCKLAND

Alick Maemae and Nelson Sale were signed by Auckland City in the mid of the DJ League to play in the NZFC and O League.

But for reason unknown the pair were terminated from the Auckland squad.

HEKARI

PNG Club Champions have used seven Solomon Islands international soccer players in the NSL and the O League.

Latest news on the club is that they are after the signature of Bilikiki wonder boy James Naka.

SOLO PLAYERS PLAYS IN IDC IN FIJI

Solomon Islands players joined Fiji clubs for the Inter District Championship.
They are George Lui, Godwin Bebeu and other Solomon Islands students studying in Fiji.

JUDD MOLEA TOP GOLDEN BOOT IN THE DJ LEAGUE WITH 15 GOALS

The first ever Honiara Beach Soccer League started towards the end of this year leading up to the Christmas and New Year period.

Source : Solomon Star
By : Philip Lilomo

Solomon Islands hope of bringing more international youth level matches to their shores are out of reach.

This after Solomon Islands have missed out from hosting any FIFA Oceania sanctioned tournaments.

Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Competition Committee agreed in their meeting in Auckland last week that Fiji and New Zealand will be the only venues to host FIFA Oceania sanctioned matches in men’s U-17, 20, 23 and women’s U-17, 20 and 23.

This come as a big blow to football lovers in this soccer mad nation who want to see more international matches brought to their shores and played infront of the national stadium, Lawson Tama.

It was quit surprising that Solomon Islands was not given the chance to host any youth national tournament by the competition committee considering the best turf at Lawson Tama and huge turn out of crowd during international matches.

OFCC might exclude Solomon Islands based on the outcome of the 2005 Oceania Under 20 World Cup qualifier in Honiara.

This was after the final between host Solomon Islands Mamulas and eventual winner, young Socceroos was marred by crowd trouble and hooliganism.

However, if OFCC are basing their decision because Fiji are the hub of the Pacific, then Solomon Islands will have to wait for decades to see such FIFA sanctioned tournaments again.

Solomon Islands Football Federation president, Martin Alufurai was available to comment on this as he was believed to be on holiday.

Meanwhile Fiji will also be home to host Oceania Futsal Tournament and Tahiti to become the venue for the FIFA Beach Soccer Tournament.

Solomon Islands are the undisputed champions of both code of soccer, Futsal and Beach soccer in our region.

Source : Solomon Star
By : Philip Lilomo
Published : 30/12/2008

Capital Football is preparing to host the 2009 National Futsal Championships with 120 teams coming from interstate and internationally to compete in the week long tournament kicking off in a week’s time.

The National’s will be celebrating two significant milestones next week with the 30th Anniversary since the inception of the Championships in 1980 and the 21st time that Canberra held the most important week in the national Futsal calendar.

“I think it’s fair to say that the ACT has well and truly put Futsal on the map over the 30 years,” Capital Football CEO Heather Reid said.

“I think it only goes to show the confidence that the FFA has in Capital Football to host big events.”

“Being able to host a national championships such as these National Futsal Championships with 120 teams and the ability to find facilities, accommodation and infrastructure to support such an event is important and we’ve proven that Capital Football can achieve the desired results.”

“The game of Futsal continues to improve especially with the connection to Asia we’ve got the opportunity to play in the Asian Championships and hopefully a few more programs for women.”

Tasmania and the Northern Territory are the only two state/territories not to be represented at the upcoming tournament that caters for boys and girls from under 11’s to Open age groups.

The tournament has a history of attracting international competitors and 2009 is no different with the Solomon Island’s returning for another year along with a Men’s Open team from New Caledonia who will be making their national’s debut.

“The tournament is particularly important for those smaller nations within Oceania and it’s an important indication that we need to support those countries even though we’re not longer within the Oceania Football Confederation.”

“We’ve got a competition here that provides them with opportunities to compete against the highest standard of Futsal is the region and let them benchmark themselves against our best.”

“It’s also great for tourism so hopefully they enjoy themselves in Canberra in January.”

The ‘indoor’ national’s made their debut in Melbourne, Victoria in 1980 before moving to Broken Hill, NSW in 1981 where women played for the first time before it returned to its perpetual home in Revesby, NSW in 1982.

The ACT then hosted twenty of the 27 proceeding national’s with the exception of South Australia (1985), Moe, Victoria (1988), Queensland (1991, 2006) and Homebush, NSW (2002,2003).

New South Wales will be the best represented at the Championships with 31 teams competing for titles closely followed by the Australian Capital Territory with 27 while Northern and Southern NSW both have 14 teams respectively traveling.

The 2009 FFA National Futsal Championships kick off Tuesday, 6th January and conclude on the Saturday, 10th January with matches played at various venues across the ACT during the week. For more information visit www.futsalnationals.com.au.

Source : Football Australia
Published : 31/12/2008

The Draw for the Vikings Nationals 2009 has been updated and is available on their website here.

Additional alterations may be made up until the 12th of January so regular checking for those involved is recommended.

Background info on the event is as follows :

REVISED AGE CATEGORIES FOR VENUES

HILL BASKETBALL STADIUM – 10 Boys, 11 Boys, 12 Boys, and 13 Boys
MINTO RECREATION CENTRE – 14 Boys, 15/16 Boys, and 17/Youth Men
MICHAEL WENDEN AQUATIC CENTRE – 12/13 Girls, and 14/15 Girls.
WHITLAM LEISURE CENTRE – 16/Youth Women, Open Women, and Open Men

————-

The National Futsal Championships 2009 will be held in Sydney, proudly hosted by Vikings Futsal Assoc.

The premiere event on the Australasian Calendar will be held from Tuesday 13th January to Thursday 15th January 2009

Open Men and Women National League Finals will be held on Friday 16th January 2009.

REPRESENTIVE CONTINGENTS
Queensland
New South Wales
Victoria
ACT
Tasmania
South Australia
Western Australia

AGE CATEGORIES
MALE – 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15/16, 17/Youth (19 yrs) and Open Men
FEMALE – 12/13, 14/15, 16/Youth (19 yrs) and Open Women

————-

NATIONAL FUTSAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009

DRAW WILL BE RELEASED ON 31st DECEMBER 2008

Following on from the National Futsal Championships, the National Futsal Team Championships will be hosted.

The tournament will see club teams from across Australasia battle it out to become the National Champions for 2009.

Tournament dates are Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th January.

The Winning Open Men’s team will be invited to take part in the World Club Championships in November 2009. The location for the event will be announced at this years Championships in Argentina.

AGE CATEGORIES
MALE – 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, Youth
(19 yrs) and Open Men
FEMALE – 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, Youth (19 yrs) and Open Women

THE NATIONAL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS WILL BE HELD AT
MICHAEL WENDEN AQUATIC CENTRE (Miller)
WHITLAM LEISURE CENTRE (Liverpool)

For further information please contact
Jodie Hammond
Ph: +617 3875 2600
Fax: +617 3275 3099
Email: jodie@vikingsfutsal.com

Source : Vikings Futsal

Saturday the 27th of December will be remembered by many Melbourne Victory supporters as one of the greatest nights in the club’s short history. Melbourne went 2-0 down after just three minutes but managed to claw their way back and beat biggest rivals Sydney 3-2 to spark wild celebrations in the stands.

What a night for Pumas Futsal Club to be involved in! Under 9 player Jack Vivian walked out onto a noisy and intimidating Telstra Dome pitch alongside Victory captain Kevin Muscat in front of 25,300 supporters. The young Pumas player who is also a regular at Melbourne Victory’s away matches was one of three winners in a competition connected to Melbourne Victory’s junior clinics.

The Melbourne – Sydney derby is by far the biggest in Australian football and is a huge occasion for a boy like Jack to be involved in, an experience he will never forget. The atmosphere and passion of the derby was highlighted as Jack walked out to see the entire Melbourne Victory home end engulfed in orange flare smoke with a large banner directed at the traveling Sydney supporters which said “Welcome to Hell” (as seen below).

A Pumas playing shirt with a short message was presented to Kevin Muscat during the warm up and the club is very proud to be involved in such a huge occasion. Jack was the first Pumas player to walk out into the intense Melbourne-Sydney derby in a Victory shirt and we hope many more will follow in the future.

Go Melbourne Victory and Go PUMAS!

Source : Pumas Futsal
Published : 29/12/2008

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has invited 10 Member Associations to take part in the inaugural AFC Futsal Club Championship 2009.

One Futsal Club side each from Australia, China, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Qatar, Thailand and Uzbekistan will take part in the July 4-12 tournament at a venue yet to be announced.

For the inaugural edition, the AFC Futsal Club Committee decided to make it an invitation event and each Member Association has been asked to nominate their Futsal national league champions for the tournament.

The 10 clubs will be divided into two groups of five. After a single round-robin, the top two teams advance to the semi-finals. The draw for the tournament will be held on April 30.

In order to strengthen future editions of this tournament, AFC is encouraging Associations to plough more resources into lifting the standard of Futsal in Asia.

Source : AFC
Via : Sutherland Shire Futsal
Published : 29/12/2008

Clubs competing in the region’s top soccer league, the O’ League will as of next year no longer go through the elimination process.

They will also benefit from the Oceania Football Confederation’s (OFC) “Win in Oceania Financing Programme”.

These were agreed to during a recent OFC Competition Committee meeting in Auckland, New Zealand.

FIFA through OFC’s ‘Win in Oceania financing programme’ will provide funds for OFC members to boost and improve their national soccer leagues.

The committee also agreed to reformat the O League participants to eight countries. Only six countries are currently competing in the competition.

FIFA want to see that the leagues in each country meet the highest standard of excellence in football.

And during O League matches as of next year, OFC committee have approved they will meet part of the costs such as airfares of the O-League teams and referees airfares.

The hosting association will also share the cost while the visiting teams will meet their own costs of accommodation and food.

Other issues agreed to were:

• Fiji and New Zealand will be the only venues to host the FIFA Oceania sanctioned matches in men’s U-17, 20, 23 and women’s Under-17, 20 and 23.
• Fiji will be the home of Oceania Futsal tournaments and Tahiti will become the venue of the FIFA Beach Soccer tournament.

Solomon Islands were not a member of the OFC competition committee.

Source : Solomon Star News
By : Philip Lilomo
Published : 29/12/2008

The Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009, Manchester United Kingdom 28-30 August 2009.

The Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009 will be bigger and better with more teams and new competitions for futsal clubs from around the world.

Enter your club in the leading futsal competition in the UK!

Interested? Catch the action from the Umbro International Futsal Cup 2008:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0yhEvu26_8c&feature=channel_page

Following the tremendous success of the first Umbro International Futsal Cup delivered by Manchester Futsal Club, next years’ tournament will take place over three competition days from Friday 28 August – Sunday 30 August 2009. Promotion and preparation for the tournament has already begun and futsal clubs are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Here come the girls! New for 2009 will be the inclusion of our first ever women’s futsal competition. Women’s futsal deserves its place in the growing development of this game in the UK; The Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009 will provide the perfect setting for women’s teams to compete amongst the best.

Entry Fee for the tournament is £100. Recommended accommodation and booking support is provided once you register.

All the latest tournament news and features will be posted on www.umbrofutsal.co.uk

So what are you waiting for? The Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009 is your chance to compete in an elite futsal tournament and become our champions in 2009!

How to enter the Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009:

Entering you club into the Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009 could not be easier.

1. Contact EuroWorldwide Events to book your place and arrange accommodation.

Telephone: +44 (0) 1625 536609
Fax: +44 (0) 1625 536610
Email: info@worldwidesoccer.co.uk

2. A copy of the official Umbro International Futsal Cup 2009 Handbook will be sent to you with all of the supporting tournament information.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Manchester Futsal Club
e: info@manchesterfutsal.com
w: www.manchesterfutsal.com

Futsal4all news updates will be on hold until the 28th of December while we take a short break.

If you have any news you’d like to submit to the site please do so and we’ll post it on the 28th. Alternatively you can put it up on our Forums for all to read.

We wish you all a very happy holidays!

Campbelltown City Quake Versus Mascot Vipers Saturday 20 Dec 2008.

Father Christmas came early for Quake as they had one of their best days in their history, bagging a massive 21 points from Mascot Vipers, being 5 wins and 3 draws from the 8 games played. Quake scored some 42 goals and conceded just 16 in Round 11 of the NSW Premier League. This wonderful result shot the Campbelltown Club to top spot in the Club Championship with just 3 rounds to play.

12 boys – Quake 5 (Mitchell Brooker, Justin Ivanovic, Luke Pereira (2), Shaun Irwin) – Vipers 3

We have been saying it for weeks, this team CAN win matches IF they finish their chances, and today they did. After going to an early 2-0 lead and looking comfortable, they allowed Vipers back into the match to take the score to 2-all. Big Vipers’ player Bright Appiah was a handful, but the smaller Quake team were doing their best to handle him. When Shaun scored, later followed by a Justin goal, the game looked safe. However, with just 7 minutes to go, Mascot got one back for a nail-bitting last few minutes. But with just 2 to go, Mitchell secured the points with a well taken goal.

14 boys – Quake 3 ( Jake McGing, Daniel Vellonio (2) ) – Vipers 3

We promised a great game and it did not disappoint. This was a tremendous match between the top two teams in the league. The game started at a frantic pace, with both teams wanting to assert their superiority early. But it was Vipers who on the 13th minute broke from a Quake corner to take us to the break leading 1-nil. The second half was incredible. Jake McGing returned parity to the score line 9 minutes in, followed by a Daniel Vellonio goal. Not to be outdone, the competition leaders (Vipers) scored two quick goals, and with just 4 minutes to go, gave us a grandstand finish to the game. Quake target-man Daniel Vellonio scored his second and Quake’s third with just 3 to go. Quake could have stolen it but a draw was a fair result between to great sides. We can’t wait for the play-offs to see them at it again!!

13 girls – Quake 5 (Laura Murtagh (3), Lucy Chapman (2) – Vipers 0

Quake’s 13 girls are going through a great little period, with 3 wins from the last 4 matches, a fantastic improvement in form. They never looked in doubt in this one, as Lucy and Laura each scored one to send the teams to the break with Quake leading 2-nil. The second half was equally as dominating by the purple and orange, with Laura securing her hat-trick and Lucy her double for an impressive 5-0 defeat, reversing their last up result.

16 boys – Quake 3 (Guy Goodwin, Saeed Colley, Josh Curtin) – Vipers 3

This was the second of the 3 draws during the day. Quake can well say this was the one that got away. After the Vipers took a 1-nil lead, it was up to Quake to stand up and be counted. With unanswered goals to Saeed, Guy and then Josh, it looked as though the team from Campbelltown would get the win. However, the Mascot team lifted and Quake allowed them back into the match via some tentative defending. In the final minute and with the scores at 3-a piece, Quake should have scored the winner but missed a simple chance from in front. In the end, a draw a fair result as Quake continues in the hunt for a play off spot.

16 girls – Quake 12 ( Jasmina Kasic (5), Laura Donelly (3), Linda Dudek (2) , Lisa Seeny, Zoeie Redman) – Vipers 1

As the result suggests, this was one-way traffic, as this talented squad run-a-muck in a one-sided affair. The win leaves them in second spot, ready to defend their title. There were many highlights, but none better than Jasmina Kasic who bagged 5 goals in a “player of the match” performance. Her deeds were almost equalled by Laura Donelly who scored herself a hat trick, whilst Linda Dudek did enough to go equal top in the Quake Club Golden Boot. Overall, a sensational performance that would have pleased Coach Tom Thomson.

Youth Men – Quake 1 (David von Dinklage) – Vipers 0

The Youth match was talked about all week as the game to watch, as first placed Quake was playing second placed Vipers. And as this score suggests, it was extremely close, with Quake controlling the game but unable to break the Mascot defence. After a scoreless first half, the game was set up beautifully for a great finish. And as the first half showed, the great defence of Mascot could not be broken. Daniel Fulton went close in the first minute, followed by Ediz Alpkaya in the second. Matt Licata in the Quake goal was called to make some important saves to keep the scorers unoccupied. It took until the 12th minute of the second half that man of the match David von Dinklage shot from the right hand side to break the dead lock. In the end, a deserved win to Campbelltown which is now all but assured of a third consecutive Premiership (minor premiers) in as many years. Congratulations to Dom and the team for a great year so far.

Women – Quake 4 ( Claire Walsh, Leesa Thomson, Caitlin Jarvie, Linda Dudek) – Vipers 4

In another top match, 1st placed and undefeated Vipers were looking for a win against 6th placed Quake. We knew we were in for a great encounter when in the first 2 minutes, Claire Walsh made it 1-nil to Quake. Campbelltown doubled their advantage via a Caitlin “Pommy” Jarvie goal. However, the competition leaders were not going to lie down and turned the game into a tight affair when they scored 2 unanswered goals to take the teams to the break at 2-all. In the first minute of the second half, Vipers started the stronger and took the lead. Leesa Thomson equalised in the 8th minute, as the end to end action was incredible. Quake soon thought they had snatched a great win when Linda Dudek scored their 4th goal. However, Vipers had other ideas in mind as they equalised. Sarah Semaan and Claire Walsh both had great opportunities to seal a win for Quake but had to settle for a draw in this exciting game.

Men – Quake 9 (Simon Keith (2), Heber Carvalho (2), Tuan Cao, Mark Symington, Tim Simpson, Miles Downie, Danny Martinez) – Vipers 2

The Men’s competition is incredibly tight, a win keeping you in touch with the leaders, a loss sending you out of the top 4. Before this match, Vipers (2nd) and Quake (3rd) were sharing the competition lead with Sydney Magic, so there was plenty to play for. Quake started off “on fire”, scoring the first 3 goals courtesy of Simmo (2nd min), Heber (9th min) and Danny (12th min) to take a commanding 3-nil lead. The league’s top goal scorer Yavuz Ekinci narrowed to gap, but it was all Quake from here onwards. Simmo scored Quake’s 4th and that is how the teams went to the break. Quake’s dominance continued in the second stanzas Miles and Heber added to the tally. However, the highlight of the entire day came as Quake scored their 7th goal as Mary Symo Symington scored what is believed to be the “Goal of the Year”. Great ball movement up court from the young Quake team saw David von Dinklage back heel the ball to Symington. He rolled the ball passed his left foot on the left hand side of the final third of the court and then proceeded to wrap his right foot around his left leg and toe punted the ball to the roof of the net from a tight angle. It was an outrageous attempt which put the cream on top of a fantastic day for Quake. The final score was 9-2 and now sees Quake share the lead with Magic.

Quake’s next game will be January 17th, 2009 at Minto when we host Western Raiders.

Source : Campbelltown City Quake
Published : 22/12/2008