Holiday period is over and training session is resuming for young Elliot Ragomo, the Solomon Islands Kurukuru star and captain.

Elliot Ragomo, in an interview with Solomon Times, said that they have resumed training as of last week as there are competitions coming up in the year.

He said that during his holiday breaks the one thing he really enjoyed was spending time with his family which he really missed a lot last year at the time when they are training very hard for the futsal world cup.

He said that the holiday break really gained back his strength and now he is looking forward for another year of training.

“Now that we are back in training, with the number of new players joining us so we will be very busy training them so that some of them can be able to join our national Futsal team,” said young Ragomo.

The Kurukuru star also predicted that this year is going to be a tough year but he believed that they will get through any challenges that they might come across.

When asked if he will ever pursue further in his studies he smiled and say that he will definitely go back doing his studies either going back to King George or pursuing his education at the University of the South Pacific Centre.

Source : Solomon Times
By : Gina Maka’a
Published : 23/2/2009

Below is the list of all of the Grand Final results for the 2009 Premier League and Super League. 

Premier League

 12 Boys : Commodores 5-2 over Raiders
14 Boys : Quake 3-1 over Vipers
13 Girls : Commodores 6-0 over Allstars
16 Boys : Magic 3-2 over Eagles
16 Girls : Quake 2-1 over Magic
Youth : Allstars 2-0 over Eagles
Women : Vipers 4-3 over Magic
Men : Magic 2-1 over Quake (1-1 Fulltime, Magic win on penalties)

Super League

12 Boys : Benfica 5-3 over Taipans
14 Boys : Enfield 4-3 over Taipans
13 Girls : Breakers 4-2 over Parramatta
16 Boys : Dural 7-2 over Pirates
16 Girls : Breakers 6-2 over Sydney Uni
Youth : Benfica 3-2 over Dural
Women : Breakers 2-1 over Dural
Men : Benfica 5-4 over Dural

Source : Football NSW Results pages
Published : 23/2/2009

Vikings NSW Futsal would like to invite Open Ladies to compete in a Monday Night Competition throughout the Winter months to continue their love for the game of Futsal.

This competition will be held at Cabramatta PCYC Railway Rd Cabramatta.

Entries close Friday 6th March 2009

Please contact Amanda Bowering on 98250997 or amandab@vikingsfutsal.com for further information or to enter a team.

Source : Vikings Futsal
Published : 23/2/2009

Futsal Results and Pics have been made available for the 12th Australian Masters Games.

A Grade and B Grade Pool Results can be seen here (PDF) or via a local copy here.

The Finals Program Results can be seen here (PDF) or via a local copy here.

Click the pictures for larger versions.

Source : 12th Australian Masters Games
Published : 23/2/2009

Sydney Magic PCYC 1 Campbelltown Quake 1 (Magic win 2-1 on penalties )

Magic keeper Peter Spathis proved yet again his credentials as Australia’s premier futsal goalkeeper by saving four out of five penalties to help the Magic overcome the Quake to win the Mens Premier League Futsal crown. Full praise should also go to Oliver Lawton of the Quake who saved two penalties yet ended up on the losing side.

The Magic prevailed in a tense and combative game of attrition that was dominated by totally committed defence, indeed the first goal was not scored until the 44th minute of the game.

The match began with Quake settling into their passing and movement rhythm early with the Magic intent on holding them and looking to work their way into the game.

Both sides were having their chances but the Quake so nearly took the lead when Miles Downie made a run forward received a quick pass from Heber Carvalho but skewed his effort high and wide from barely a metre out.

As the half wore on the Magic were getting a better share of possession and goal attempts and nearly took the lead when a pass across goal from Marino Musumeci just evaded the outstretched leg of Andres Gomez sliding in at the far post.

The Quake came close just before half time when Downie sped down the flank crossed for Tuan Cao who uncharacteristically volleyed wide from close range.

The story was the same after half time with Quake settling quickly into a rhythm with majority possession and Magic working their way into the game creating a very even contest on the balance of play and chances.

The pace was fast and combative but both sets of teams were very committed in defence and reluctant to throw too many players forward so the game remained deadlocked.

That was until the 44th minute when the Quake took the lead through Danny Martinez. Miles Downie ran the ball through the middle of the court passed to Tuan Cao on the left who drew the keeper slid the ball across goal to Martinez looming in support to calmly drill the ball home.

The Magic were frantic in their efforts to equalise and nearly did when Andres Gomez took a snapshot from the byline which the keeper parried down but the ball trickled agonisingly along the line and cleared away to safety.

With the Magic pouring forward in search of an equaliser and less than three minutes left on the clock Marino Musumeci slipped his defensive markers, received a pass near goal and stabbed the ball wide of the keeper to level the game at 1-1.

The game went into overtime with nothing separating the two teams. But again the deadlock could not be broken with a draw being a fair result on the balance of play and chances.

Somehow the Quake had precariously survived on five fouls for almost fifteen minutes but they kept their heads throughout and the contest was to be settled on penalties.

In a game where both sides had suffered in confidence in front of goal as the game wore on the goalkeepers became the heroes and in particular Peter Spathis who proved his class yet again to win it for the Magic. [Full Footage of the Penalty Shootout is available here or here - courtesy of Sydney Magic].

After recently taking out the Club championship Sydney Magic now add the coveted Mens Premier League title to their collection.

Match Details

Sydney Magic PCYC

1. Peter Spathis, 12. Tudor Vasile, 2. Bill Dimitropoulos, 17. Alberto Crocco, 4. Andres Gomez, 5. Dylan Maloney, 6. Andrew Paine, 8. Marino Musumeci, 9. Andrew Nolan

Goals: Marino Musumeci

Campbelltown City Quake

12. Jon Azzopardi, 1. Oliver Lawton, 7. Tuan Cao, 5. Simon Keith, 9. Gary Seymour, 10. Miles Downie, 8 Sahand Jahani, 20. Danny Martinez, 6. Heber Carvalho, 3. Daniel Fulton, 4. Mark Symington, 2. David Von Dinklage

Goals: Danny Martinez

Yellow Cards: Miles Downie

Referees: Scott Kidson, Andrew Best, Roger Lee

Source : Football NSW
Published : 23/2/2009

Sydney Magic PCYC 3 Mascot Vipers 4

The Mascot Vipers womens team took the lead early in the game and were never headed to prevail over rivals the Sydney Magic 4-3 in tense and pulsating game of grand final futsal.

The Vipers took a surprise early lead when a kick-in from Amanda Cergovski near halfway was chipped to an unmarked Catherine Canuli to backhead the ball past the keeper to make it 1-0.

The Vipers extended their lead when a long throw from keeper Trudy Bartlett found Canuli who had again shirked her markers to lash an unstoppable left foot drive into the top corner.

The Magic opened their account when a long throw from keeper Mel McCauley found Natalie Spirovski who cut inside onto her markers and hit her shot past the keeper.

The Magic then levelled when Claire Tyson fed a nice cross court pass for Sophie Svinos to bravely slide in at the far post to tie the game at 2-2.

There were plenty of chances from both sides but the score remained at 2-2 going into the break.

The Vipers changed keepers in the second half and Antonella Oliva was soon in the thick of the action making saves and her counter part for Magic Nina Blundell also busy notably making a brave double block to deny Canuli at close range.

The Vipers were unlucky not to extend their lead a bit later when Canuli turned onto her left foot but her shot hit the post and away to safety.

The Magic were having their chances but it was the Vipers who got the important break when a quick counter attack saw Amanda Cergovski on hand to slide the ball past the keeper to give them a 3-2 lead.

The Magic fought back yet again when a quick counterattack saw Natasha Lo Guidice firmly side foot the ball just inside the far post to the joy of the Magic fans and team mates to level the match at 3-3.

The Vipers again extended their lead when Elyce Goss smashed a long range freekick against the crossbar, the ball then ricocheted down hit Hayley Buckingham and brushed the keeper on its way into the corner of the net for a 4-3 Vipers lead.

The Vipers should have had a fifth when two players contrived to get in each others way and deny themselves of an easy tap-in at the far post.

The Magic poured forward in search of an equaliser and in the dying seconds had the ball in the back of the net but one ref called advantage and the overruling ref called for a freekick. Play was called back the freekick was cleared and fulltime sounded.

The Magic girls had played brilliantly and determinedly kept coming back at their opponents but time just ran out for them in the end.

But there was joy for the Vipers contingent who somehow kept getting their noses in front each time, would not be denied and just shaded the game on the balance of play and chances to take the prized Womens Premier League title.

Match Details

Mascot Vipers

1 Antoniette Oliva, Trudy Bartlett, 74 Alana Macey, 78. Bronwyn Jarvis, 81. Maniso Michael, 73. Elyce Goss, 75. Hayley Buckingham, 76. Alexandra Smith. 77. Georgina Stylianou, 80. Catherine Cannuli, 79. Amanda Cergovski.

Goals: Catherine Cannuli x2, Hayley Buckingham, Amanda Cergovski

Sydney Magic PCYC

1. Nina Blundell, 20. Mel McCauley, 29. Natalie Spirovski, 23. Kahlee Doyle, 24. Sophie Svinos, 25. Clare Tyson, 31. Natasha LoGiuduce, 35. Samantha Bergin, 37. Jenna Kingsley, 28. Emma Noro, 34. Julianna Dundovic

Goals: Natalie Spirovski, Natasha LoGiudice, Sophie Svinos

Yellow Cards: Samantha Bergin

Referees: Sam McIntosh, Peter Wilson-Mosey, Kelly Jones

Source : Football NSW
Published : 23/2/2009

Sydney Benfica FC 3 Dural Warriors 2

A dramatic late winner in the dying seconds from Hussein Akil gave Sydney Benfica the Youth Super League title in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Dural Warrirors.

Benfica had the majority of the opening possession with their defenders finding space and going close from long range.

Dural opened the scoring when a Benfica counter attack broke down; Daniel Codrington won the challenge for the ball ran forward rounded a defender and smashed the ball into the top corner for a terrific goal.

Codrington nearly doubled Durals advantage when his shot struck a post and away to safety.

Benfica almost levelled the game when Patrick Ascaro slipped a ball to Hussein Akil whose shot was partially blocked by keeper Alastair Bruce but his shot trickled under his body toward the goal line but was cleared by the Dural defence.

The pace was frenetic as the game swung from end to end with both keepers Alastair Bruce and Wayne Estevao making vital saves for their team.

Benfica were desperate to level the game but Durals defence was strong and this led to increasingly rash efforts on goal from Benfica to no avail with Dural going to the break 1-0 in front.

Benfica equalised shortly into the second half when a corner was rolled all the way back to the halfway line for the Benfica keeper to crack a low hard drive into the bottom corner to level the game 1-1.

Benfica grabbed a 2-1 lead when they were awarded a freekick outside the area. The ball struck the wall but it fell eventually to Hussein Akil who drilled a long range shot into the net.

All the pressure now came from Dural who peppered shots on the Benfica goal in search of an equaliser. Benfica were trying to stem the Warriors pressure and by hitting hard on the break had a few chances to increase their lead themselves.

With time running out for Dural and their goal attempts becoming increasingly wide of the mark Dural won a disputed freekick. Sam Bingham stepped up with less than a minute to go and slammed the ball home to level the game at 2-2.

With the game expected to go to overtime with only moments left on the clock a late Benfica shot hit the post and rebounded to Akil to sweep the ball into the net to send the Benfica contingent into rapture.

The late strike was a huge disappointment for Dural who played brilliantly all game in a contest that could have gone either way.

But there was absolute joy for the pacy and skilful Sydney Benfica who can now add the 2009 Super League Youth title to their collection.

Match Details

Sydney Benfica FC

1. Costa Chronopoulos, 2. Ruben Caetano, 3. Kane Edwards, 4. Jason Camara, 5. Kevin Oliveira, 6. Mark Pinto, 7. Patrick Ascaro, 8. Rocci Gabey, 9. Hussein Akil, 10. Ali Bazzi,11. Milton Ferreira, 20. Wayne Estevao.

Goals: Hussein Akil x2, Wayne Estevao

Yellow Cards: Kane Edwards, Patrick Ascaro

Dural Warriors

1. Alaistair Bruce, 9. Daniel Codrington, 4. Nick Donovan, 3. Navid Noory, 6. Michael Thornton, 12. Ryan Johnstone, 19. Blake Rosier, 16. Nathan Niski, 11. Sam Bingham, 10. Josh Codrington

Goals: Daniel Codrington, Sam Bingham

Yellow Cards: Michael Thornton

Referees: Paul Respicio, Nick Backo, Taha Marabani

Source : Football NSW
Published : 23/2/2009

Sydney Benfica FC shook the foundations at Dural, on Grand Final Day. After what can only be described as a sensational season, players, officials and supporters came prepared for a long day, as the club’s 12 Boys, Youth Men & Men’s teams prepared to do battle.

12 Boys – South Coast Taipans v Sydney Benfica FC

This team entered the grand final after finding the sort of form that saw them lead the competition for most of the season. Their opponent South Coast Taipans. Both teams were confident and it was the Minor Premiers South Coast who took an early 1-0 lead. This only made Benfica more determined as shortly afterwards, Sydney Benfica equalized, shocking the Taipans. Shortly before half time, Benfica scored and went into the break leading 2-1. On the resumption of play, Benfica upped the anti and extended their lead to 3-1. That lead was extended to 4-1 with 10 minutes to go. A shell shocked Taipans didn’t know what hit them. But to their credit, they began to claw back. Two quick goals in 3 minutes, had the lead reduced to 4-3 in Benfica’s favour, to set up an exciting final 7 minutes. With 5 minutes remaining, Benfica extended the lead and closed out the final 5-3 winners. This was a tremendous effort by the boys in red as they had added to their 11 Boys State Title.

Youth Men – Sydney Benfica FC v Dural Warriors

This was Round 1 for the day. First against second. It was the Dural Warriors in their own back yard. The game started and Dural took an earlier lead over a scrappy Benfica, who were feeling the effects of only playing one game in four weeks. Dural were structured, patient and playing better than their opponents and deservedly went into halftime leading 1-0.

Coming out for the second half Benfica hit back through goalkeeper Wayne Estevao, leveling the game 1-1. The two teams then began tearing each other apart at a frenetic pace. Then the magical Husky Akil fired Benfica into the lead sending their supporters absolutely ballistic. To Dural’s credit, they punched back with less than two minutes to go and it seemed the game was headed for extra time with a 2 all score line. Please step up Husky Akil………and that he did, scoring the winner with 20 seconds to go, driving a dagger into Dural’s hearts.

The Minor Premiers were now crowned Champions.

Men’s – Dural Warriors v Sydney Benfica FC

This Round 2 for the day against the mighty Dural Warriors. Both teams had their supporters and the scene was set for an almighty cliffhanger. Benfica came out of the blocks and before you knew it they were ahead 4-0. The chanting was on, the drums were blaring as a subdued Dural look on. Benfica’s keeper Joshua Da Palma managed to save a penalty. Everything was going to plan. Half time had arrived.

Whatever Dural’s coach Rob Varela had said, it worked. Dural came out and after 5 minutes the score was reduced to 4-1. Benfica’s men could not buy a goal. Dural continued and scored again. The Dural crowd erupted as they sensed an almighty comeback. Funnily enough was that, every time Dural scored, the louder the Benfica crowd chanted.

The mighty Dural Warriors were on a roll, the stadium was electric and before you knew it the score was 4-3, with 6 minutes to go. Benfica were on 5 fouls. Play resumed after a time out and within a couple of minutes Husky Akil fired Benfica to a 5-3 lead. Dural’s fourth goal came from a spot kick. Final score Benfica 5 Dural 4.

This was Sydney Benfica’s day.

Source : Sydney Benfica FC
Published : 22/2/2009

Last Saturday saw the climax of the 2008/09 NSW Premier League Season, with Quake participating in 3 of the 8 finals, and coming away with 2 Championships. Our 14 boys and 16 girls were crowned Champions, and our Open Men falling short after a dramatic penalty shootout. In the end, a fantastic way to finish yet another successful season for the team from Campbelltown.

14 Boys – Quake 3 (Daniel Vellonio 2, Marko Vukovic) – Mascot Vipers 1 (Dillon Vorster).

The numbers 1 & 2 teams in the league met again in the decider and if the semi final was any indication, we were in for a fantastic match. Both teams started nervously, giving away possession easily, typical of the first minutes of a decider. But on the 7th minute, Daniel Vellonio’s right foot strike put Quake in front. Their lead only lasted a minute when Dillon Vorster tapped in at the far post to restore parity. After several close encounters it took until the last minute of the first half for Quake to regain the lead via a Marko Vukovic goal. In the second half, Quake continued their search for what may well be the winner. And in the 6th minute, Vellonio was the scorer after stealing a ball and sending the crowd wild. For the remainder of the match, Quake kept pressing, unable to score another. In the end, a 3-1 win for Quake and a well deserved Championship!

16 Girls – Quake 2 (Sharon Walsh, Linda Dudek) – Magic 1

This was a terrific match, with the number 1& 2 teams doing battle. This game was played at a frantic pace, with end-to-end action all the way. It took until the 12th minute for a score, and it came via a cheeky corner play, turned in by Sharon Walsh. With the score at 1-0, Magic was doing everything to get back in the game, but an inspired game by Quake keeper Carla Monforte, frustrated their many attacks. It was minute 12 which proved lucky again as Linda Dudek unleashed a powerful right foot drive to give Quake a 2 goal advantage. Not to be outdone, and with just 4 minutes to go, Magic finally scored off a free kick move to set up a grandstand finish. However, Quake’s defensive effort proved invaluable and were crowned Champions for the second year in a row!

 Men – Quake 1 (Danny Martinez) – Magic 1 (Marino Musemeci) – Magic wins on Penalties 2-1.

“Dramatic” does not begin to describe what was to unfold as Premiers Magic defended their crown they won last year. Undoubtedly the 2 best sides in the league, they were separated for the Premiership by just 2 goals (similar to last season). The early action indicated a tight one, with high intensity being the order of the day. The first half remained scoreless, with both sides having their chances but unable to convert. The second stanza saw more of the same, with perhaps Magic enjoying the closer opportunities. But it wasn’t until the 19th minute when a sweeping move saw Tuan Cao feed the ball to the second post where a running Danny Martinez slotted the ball past an otherwise unbeatable Peter Spathis for a 1-0 lead. However, the joy only lasted 2 minutes as a defensive error saw the ball at the feet of the ever-dangerous Marino Musemeci to once again restore parity. Right on full time, Magic had a chance to win it but it was not to be and we had extra time on our hands. In extra time, both teams were tentative in attack and the dreaded penalty shootout was about to decide this year’s Champion. It was the great Peter Spathis that proved the difference as he saved 4 penalties to hand the final to Magic. In the end, Magic celebrated the double, a fantastic achievement for this great guys, so our Quake congrats to Jamie, Spath and the boys !

Source : Campbelltown City Quake
By : Carlos Martinez
Published : 21/2/2009

Sydney Magic has a lot of great Goal Keeper and Goal Scoring footage available on their new-look website. Its worth your time to take a look…

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