Pumas Futsal Club would like to officially announce its coaching lineup for season 2009. Riccardo Marchioli who coached all age groups last year will be the club’s Technical Director and will coach the Under 11 to Under 14 age groups whilst overseeing the junior side of the club.

The Pumas Under 8s and Under 10s age groups will be coached by Morris Lechowicz who has a wide range of experience in Football, Futsal and other sports.

The Pumas Under 9s age group will be coached by Ivo Petrolo who has impressed with his knowledge and views on the game and how young players should be coached.

All coaches at Pumas will be striving to improve the technical quality of our players and hopefully grooming them to become future state and national team players.

For more information about our coaches, please see the “Staff” page of the website.

Source : Pumas Futsal
Published : 23/1/2009

Vikings NZ have put a great little docco online covering their recent trip to the 2009 National Champs in Sydney. Check it out, its well worth your time to get an idea of what happens behind the scenes.

“A behind the scenes look at sending 7 teams (70 people) to the Vikings Futsal Championship in Sydney Australia”

Vikings Futsal NZ Doco from Vikings Futsal NZ on Vimeo.

Source : Vikings NZ
Published : 23/1/2009

Below is full game footage of the 2009 FFA Futsal Nationals Mens Semi Final between NSW Lightning and ACT Cobras. ACT won the match 4-0 and advanced through to the Grand Final.

Filming by Dan Kennedy.

If you want to download a copy for yourself instead of watching it online, click through to Vimeo and you can download the 720 Meg file from there (check the bottom right of the screen once you are there).

2009 FFA Futsal Nationals : Open Mens Semi Final 1 from Futsal4All on Vimeo.

Vikings  2009 National Futsal Championships results are as follows :

12 Girls : North Queensland 2-1 over Tasmania
13 Girls : QLD 6-2 over New Zealands 13s
15 Girls : Queensland 6-5 over Tasmania (2-2 fulltime, win on penalties)
Youth Women : QLD Country 1-0 over Victoria
Open Women : QLD 3-2 over NSW

10 Boys : QLD Metro 11-2 over QLD Cosmos
11 Boys : QLD City 5-1 over QLD Metro
12 Boys : QLD City 3-2 over Tasmania
13 Boys : QLD Metro 8-4 over QLD City
14 Boys : Victoria 6-4 over QLD City
15 Boys : QLD City 15s 9-3 over QLD Country 15s
16 Boys : QLD City 11-4 over NSW City
17 Boys : QLD City 17s 6-0 over QLD Country
Youth Men : Victoria 4-3 over QLD City
Open Men : QLD 7-4 over Western Australia

Vikings  2009 National Team Futsal Championships results are as follows :

14 Girls : Vikings 6-1 over Southern Stars
Open Women : Cowboys 6-3 over VIC Vipers

10 Boys : Crusaders 9-1 over The Warheads
11 Boys : Breakers FC 7-4 over Islanders Academy
12 Boys : Northern Fusion 6-5 over The Zoo
14 Boys : Southern Stars 14s 6-1 over The Benchwarmers
16 Boys : Crusaders 3-2 over Southern Stars 16s
Youth Men : Gladiators 3-1 over Southern Stars
Open Men : VIC Vipers 4-3 over Chump

Detailed results can be found on the Vikings Results Spreadsheets (here and here), or on the Futsal4all Nationals Forum.

Below are pictures from the Vikings Nationals. The originals can be found here on the Vikings Website here.

The shots cover day 1-3 and also the Vikings Allstars.

Source : Vikings Futsal results spreadsheets
Published : January 2009

A tour group of 70 (7 teams) jetted across the Tasman to contest the Vikings Futsal Championships in Sydney.

The group was light on experience with Futsal only being established New Zealand wide for 4 years but all the sides, players and officials excepted this would be their learning curve.

Vikings NZ tournaments and tours coordinator, Rebecca Banfield, was excited about leading the largest New Zealand Futsal group to visit Australia, or anywhere for that matter. “It’s been a huge task bringing all the players together from around New Zealand and then organising them all”, said Bafield. “Everyone has been awesome and we have a great spirit amongst all the players and teams.

There is a huge cross section of players ranging in age from 11years (13 girls side) to 40 years (snr womens) but they all gelled together and supported each other. They came from as far north as Kerikeri and as far South as Dunedin and Queenstown.

Knowing they lacked experience at this level the players and teams were were determind to make their make on the Futsal stage all the while learning as much as they could. At this level there would be no easy games but with the right mental toughness, game plan and attitude the kiwi’s would have the potential to upset sides.

The final part of the tour would become a Futsal extravaganza. All the the players came into a Futsal camp in Christchurch Jan 9th to 11th before flying out to Sydney on Monday Jan 9th. The sides contested the State Series of the Championships Jan 13-15th (16th for the Senior teams) before the taking part in the club series as Southern Stars sides Jan 17-18th.

The 13 girls side comprised of 4 x 11yo, 2 x 12yo and 3 x 13yo and punched well above their young age in the 13 girls division. The side went through the round robin phase with only 1 loss, cruised into the final where they were beaten 5-2 by Queensland. The side then reformed and played in the 14 girls section of the club series and again made the final where they were defeated by a very good 14yr girls side 6-1. The bulk of this side is able to stay together and contest the 13 girls section again next.

The Youth Women started the tournament slowly with a couple of narrow losses. These games games would ultimately haunt them as they then lost their final 2 games by a single goal. All up they played 5, won 1, lost 4, but 3 of those losses where by a single goal. The side then reformed and played in the club series in the open womens section making the semi finals. Along the way the beat the Victorian Youth side 7-3, a side they lost to 4-3 in the state series. Once again nearly all of this side is able to return next year.

The open women went into this tournament with high hopes after their second place finish in the Vikings Cup in NZ, August 2008. The opening 2 games where always going to be the toughest up against eventual finalists Queensland and NSW. Keeper Noran Abaza was sent off for a handball outside the area which put the girls on the backfoot for the first 2 games. They then had a heartbreak loss to Victoria before getting on the board with a solid win over Northern NSW. While the results didn’t fall their way this side made some great progress and will be better for the run in this enviorment.

The 14boys side had a mixed tournament. they won a couple last a couple and drew a game in the State series putting them into the semi finals. They eventually lost a close SF but this loss seemed to lift the standard of play for the side as they headed into the club section. They played in the 16boys division in the club section where they upset some of the older teams. The best of which was a 4-2 win over South Australia 16’s. After the round robin they played a final against another 14boys side which they won easily 5-0. This side made huge progress as the tournament rolled on.

The 16boys looked great throughout the tournament and finished 2nd in pool play in the State series. Sadly they lost their semi final and where knocked out but played some very attractive Futsal along the way. The side reformed for the club series and waltzed into the grand final but again came unstuck. This agegroup holds a lot of the future for the men in New Zealand and with more time will make their mark.

The Youth men were another team to be dogged by 1 goal losses. However they did score enough goals to squeak into the semi finals where they lost to eventual champions Qld. The side then played in the mens section of the club series and played extremely well. they played the round robin section where they came up against Victoria Youth whom beat them in the club section and knocked them off 3-1. This put them into the Yht Men final where they went down to Queensland 1-3 in a very tight game. Again, all but 2 of this side can potentially return next year. many of these boys will also feature in the NZ U/21 mens side which is looking at heading to Europe at the end of the year.

For the men it was a case of the what if’s. The side came into the tournament with a new attacking system and for the most part executed it well. The biggest issue was putting the ball into the back of the net. They ended the tournament with 5 loses a win and a draw. In each of the losses they were in the game. Against Victoria they lost 5-4, QLD was 1-0 down for most of the game before conceeded a small flurry at the end trying to score with the extra player, NSW lost 2-1, West Australia NZ led 4-3 with 9 to play before going down 7-4 again trying to score the equaliser Tasmania they led 3-2 before conceeding the last 5 goals. This side is young, very young. Bakr Alsaudi is the oldest and most experienced at 26 meaning this side will grow over the next couple of years.

All in all the New Zealand sides performed very well and gained that valuable experience. The men and women have a some things to work on but in most cases they are a goal post away from becoming very powerful sides.

The Youth aged sides showed what time together can do. Every side made a final in the club section with the Yth Women and 14 boys sides winning. Congratulations to all the players, coaches and officials and a special mention to the supporters who made themselves heard. A very special congratulations to Stephen Roach who was named Referee of the tournament, Chelsea Stockdill (13 girls All Star), Lauren Dabner (13 girls All Star) and Noran Abaza (Open Womens All Star).

Source : Vikings NZ
Published : 22/1/2009

On Saturday, Campbelltown City Quake hosted Western Raiders Futsal Club in Round 12 of the NSW Futsal Premier League. It turned out to be a great week-end for Quake in their quest to win the prestigious Club Championship, where they were equal first going into the Round. Quake won a total of 20 points from a possible 24, from 6 wins, a draw and a solitary loss keeping them well and truly in the hunt for the Championship.

The 12 boys was the one and only loss, going down 6-1 in a game where Quake failed to convert the few chances they had.

The 14 boys took their time to click into top gear and when they did, Quake showed why they are currently 2nd on the ladder. Highlight of the match was the double scored by 12 boys player Jack Taseski playing up a grade.

The 13 girls was the highlight of the day, where Quake came away with an unlikely 3-2 win over their more fancied opponents. A goal each to Ruby Mosca, Lucy Chapman and Annika Chapman gave Quake a very exciting victory.

The 16 boys was an important game for Quake as a win could push them into play-off contention. The 2-nil win courtesy of a double to 14 boys player Bruno Antelmi was all the Simon Keith coached team needed to take all three points.

The 16 girls was a different story. Quake were expected to win easily, but were not playing well enough to do so. Raiders took a 2-nil win and well into the second half, Quake was headed for an upset defeat. But a goal to Lisa Seeney and a late 10 meter penalty to Jasmina Kasic, resulted in a share of points, a good result under the circumstances.

The Quake Youth team needed just one point to win their 3rd consecutive Minor Premiership. And whilst they won 3-2 and celebrated their minor premiership, they did not have it all their own way against a very determined Raiders outfit. In the end, Quake was too good, congratulations to players and coach Dom Helene on their achievement.

The Open Women saw the welcomed return of W-League Central Coast Mariner Stephanie Haim. And what a return it was, as Quake romped in 7-2, Steph bagging 5 goals for herself.

The final game was the Open Men where Equal competition Leaders Quake defeated Raiders by 5-2. The match was an even encounter but in the end, Quake had too much horse power, lead by Futsalroos Gavin O’Brien and Miles Downie.

Quake hosts Inner West Allstars in the final Home game of the regular season at Minto Sports Indoor Stadium, all the action from 2 pm.

Dont Forget the Forty Winks Australia Day Promotion on Monday the 26th Jan. We need as Many people as possible there to support our Club Sponsor!!!!!!!

Source : Campbelltown City Quake
By : Carlos Martinez
Published : 21/1/2009

Who said soccer was just for the boys?

This summer saw the creation of a much hyped women’s national league, the W-League, which held its inaugural awards last night.

And the sport is also moving ahead in leaps and bounds at a local level.

Geelong yesterday launched the city’s first women’s futsal league in a bid to capitalise on increased interest in the world game.

Futsal is a fast-paced five-a-side form of indoor soccer, which is played extensively across the world.

The league, which will kick off at the Leisuretime Centre on Wednesday, received the backing of home-grown Victorian futsal player Lauren Grabowski.

Grobowski tested out the centre’s facilities yesterday ahead of the new season and said she was pleased that Geelong women would have their own competition.

“Futsal provides opportunities to women of all ages, skills and abilities to get involved, have a go and most importantly have fun,” she said.

As part of the modified rules, players use a low bouncing ball, which weighs between 390 and 430 grams, and must shoot into a 3m by 2m goal mouth to score.

Source : Geelong Advertiser
By : Daniel Breen
Published : 22/1/2009

Below is full game footage of the 2009 FFA Futsal Nationals Semi Final between NSW Thunder and Victoria. NSW came away 2-0 winners in this game and advanced through to the Grand Final.

Filimg by Dan Kennedy.

If you want to download a copy for yourself instead of watching it online, click through to Vimeo and you can download the 600 Meg file from there (check the bottom right of the screen once you are there).

2009 FFA Futsal Nationals : Open Womens Semi Final from Futsal4All on Vimeo.

The latest Teams of the week have been published for the NSW Premier League and Super League…

Premier League

Mens Team of the Week : GK – Gavin O’Brien (Quake), Yavuz Ekinci (Vipers), Daniel Fogarty(Allstars), Joseph Foti (Allstars), Chris Zaballos (Eagles)
Mens Golden Boot : Yavuz Ekinci 30 goals 12 games, Chris Zaballos 15 goals 11 games, Tuan Cao 14 goals 11 games

Womens Team of the Week : GK – Tani Rosekelly (Allstars), Yasim Uzunlar (Magic), Diyana Lusic (Eagles), Hayley Buckingham (Vipers), Clare Walsh (Quake)
Womens Golden Boot : Laura Elliott 21 goals 9 games, Hayley Buckingham 13 goals 12 games, Kayleigh Koops 12 goals 11 games

Super League

Mens Team of the Week : GK – John Myers (Maccabi), Rafael Hendler (Sydney Uni), Karim Reda (Vikings), Senol Ehlisoydan (Enfield), Itaua Batista (Benfica)
Mens Golden Boot : Rogerio Teixeira 41 goals 11 games, Robert Foti 28 goals 10 games, Renato Jelen 26 Goals 9 games

Womens Team of the Week : GK – Jessica Abi Sassine (Benfica), Belinda Seers (Sydney Uni), Fatima Agar (Parramatta), Justine Clemente (Taipans), Demelza Howard (Dural)
Womens Golden Boot : Belinda Seers 21 goals 11 ganmes, Fatima Agar 21 goals 12 games, Lisa Bailey 15 goals 6 games

Source : Football NSW
Published : 21/1/2009

Campbelltown City Quake futsal team won 20 points from a possible 24 on Saturday at Minto Indoor Sports Stadium.

Quake hosted Western Raiders in Round 12 of the NSW Futsal Premier League and had six wins, a draw and one loss to keep their chances alive of winning a club championship.

The 12 boys team was the only loss, going down 6-1.

A massive 10-1 win was had by 14 boys.

The 13 girls were the highlight of the day.

Quake won 3-2 win against their more fancied opponents.

A goal each to Ruby Mosca, Lucy Chapman and Annika Chapman gave Quake the win.

The 16 boys won 2-0 with Bruno Antelmi scoring both.

The 16 girls team was expected to win easily but only managed a 2-2 draw.

The Raiders took a 2-0 lead but a goal to Lisa Seeney and Jasmina Kasic gave Quake a share of the points.

The Quake Youth team needed just one point to win their third consecutive minor premiership but went on to win 3-2. The Open Women saw the return of W-League Central Coast Mariner Stephanie Haim who scored five of the Quake’s seven goals in their 7-2 win.

The final game featured the competition leaders, Quake Open Men’s team, which won 5-2.

Source : Campbelltown Macarthur Advertiser
Published : 21/1/2009