Star player Elliot Ragomo has warned the Kurukurus against complacency ahead of tonight’s showdown with Fiji in the OFC Futsal Championship final.

On paper the Kurukurus are favoured for a convincing win but team captain Ragomo, 18, refuses to be carried away with the side’s clinical display and top form in round robin play that saw them net 24 goals and concede six in three matches.

He said despite dominating the championship the Kurukurus were not invincible.

“On the day things might change,” Elliot said.

“We have to be consistent, sharp and play smart futsal.”

Ragomo, who plays professional futsal in Spain with the Players de Castellon club, is one of the many lethal strike weapons at coach Dickson Kadau’s disposal for the clincher.

Leading goal scorer Jack Wetney, Micah Lea’alafa, James Egeta, Francis Lafai, and Moffat Sikwa’ae have all been impressive for Kurukuru.

Elliot said the club released him for the World Cup last year. He then had his stay at home extended to play in OFC Championship and the Futsal Confederation Cup later in the year.

“I’m still part of Players de Castellon. It’s my club and I’m grateful that they released me to play for Solomon Islands,” he said.

Ragomo was 15 when he joined the club.

“I went to school in Spain like a normal teenager, learnt their language and lifestyle.

“I’m still schooling. This year I’ll complete my foundation course at the USP campus in Solomon Islands.

Coach Kadau said he preferred to play Fiji in the final.

“We have a lot of support here,” he said.

“Fiji being the host team will have a lot of support as well.

“We’re expecting a big crowd and want fans to come and enjoy a good final,” said Kadau.

Anil Sharma believes Fiji needs to develop a specialist set of futsal players rather than relying on the regular 11- a -side reps to feature for them.

The prominent soccer administrator said both codes needed to operate separately. He said it was about time a pool of new players who would only concentrate on the shorten code be developed.

Sharma gave Solomon Islands as a good example. The Solomons outclassed Fiji 3-5 in their encounter Tuesday night at the 2009 OFC futsal championships at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.

The Islanders had developed a team which had been together for about six years. In light of the futsal competition, Fiji opted for the services of districts rep to represent the country.

“We need to have specialist futsal players. We are bringing in regular players who do not have time as they are with their districts.

We need players who can concentrate on only futsal. Looking at the Solomon’s team their players are not playing for clubs.”

The Navua football association boss on the other hand said the national side had gone up a notch.

“Definitely looking at the results from last year Fiji has improved and that is a very good sign.

The Solomons were a little more superior to our team but when they go to major world competitions they too lose by huge margins,” Sharma said.

Round 8 of the Futsal Winter State League being played at the Sports Halls, Sydney Olympic Park provided us with some of the closest results so far.

With the Women’s League being divided into Groups A & B, as per the teams’ positions on the table after 7 rounds, the struggle for Semifinal spots was clearly reflected on the court. One of the games of the night took place first up in the evening as the young Hachies team did battle with the more experienced Sydney City Quake. Both defences found themselves on top at half time and were able to defuse several dangerous situations to leave the court at 0-0 after 18 minutes of controlled, tactical Futsal.

In contrast, the second stanza was full of goal mouth action with both keepers working overtime to keep at bay some very dangerous raids at both ends of the court. Hachies were the first team to break the ice with a very nice goal by Rhiannan Fleming in the 24th minute. It seemed that Lauren Phelps had sealed her team’s victory as she netted a superb goal following an excellent, free flowing move after 32 minutes. With the game escaping from their grasp, the Sydney City Quake drew on all their experience and set siege to the youngsters’ goal mouth pulling one goal back within a minute, courtesy of a great strike by Stephanie Ham, to set up a grand stand finish. Hachies remained resolute in defence whilst proving dangerous on the counter on occasions. However, just moments before full time. Claire Walsh proved too good young Hachies team and got a well deserved equalizer that brought the teams level. A great game by both teams that sets them up nicely on the run to the Play Offs.

Match Stats

HACHIES (R Flemming 24′, L. Phelps 32′) drew with SYDNEY CITY QUAKE (S. Ham 33′, C. Walsh 36′)

Teams

SYDNEY CITY QUAKE: 1 A. Brown, 6 L. Thomson, 3 C. Walsh, 4 S. Ham, 8 A. Francis, 9 B. Cowie

HACHIES: 1. J Abi-Sassine, 2. C. Turner, 4. E. Rugg,, 6. K. Skeoch, 8 R. Flemming, 9 M. Miklail, 11. L. Phelps,

Yellow Cards: S. Ham

Referees: A Moussa & D Ferguson

Other Women’s results from round 8 …

V.I.M. 2 (N.Spirovski 34′ & R.Tomkins 35′) def Force 10 0
Pirates 6 (K.Mitrevski 10′ 30′ 36′; D.Lusic 3′ 31; J.Cameron 24′) def. Just 4 Kicks 2 (C.Cannuli 5′, E. Rodopoulos 15′)
Wadey’s Army 2 (F.Agar 10′, B.Vousden 20′) def. Sienna 1 (M.Tuitma 26′)

With Quake Youth, looking to bounce back from a narrow defeat the previous week, up against a Northern Tigers outfit making a determined run for a Semi Final spot, this game had all the signs of being a tight and exciting encounter. even though the final score line confirmed these expectations, early on in the first half the youngsters from the south, superbly led by David Von Dinklage, dominated proceedings and were well on their way to a fine victory at the break. By then James Gilligan had opened the score in the second minute, while Von Dinklage’s had confirmed his class with a brilliant goal in the seventh minute and Gilligan had scored his second on the fifteenth minute to make it 3-0. Hard as they may try the Tigers were being outplayed on the court and on the score board.

The half time break came at the right time for the Northerners; they took stock, regrouped and came out determined to make a contest of it. Von Dinklage’s second goal in the 23rd minute did not dampen the spirit of old timer Phil Dalton and his men. Slowly they worked their way back into the game applying great pressure to the goal ably defended by Oliver Lawton who was working overtime to keep a clean sheet. Then a barrage of goals by Neal Hunter, 23rd and 32nd minute gave his team real hope. When Gary Havagimian made the difference just one with a few seconds to go on the clock, a great comeback was nearly realized. To their credit, Quake Youth remained composed and rode out the storm to take the 3 points that see them well placed to claim a spot in the Semi Finals.

Match Stats

Quake Youth 4 (J.Gilligan 2′ 15′ & D.Von Dinklage 7′ 23′) def. Northern Tigers 3 (N.Hunter 27′ 32′, G.Havagimian 35′)

Teams

Quake Youth: 1. O. Lawton, 11. J. Gilligan, 7. T. Valentiner, 22. D. Von Dinklage, 20. E. Harihiru

Northern Tigers: 1. E.Jurd, 8. G.Havagimian, 23. D.Hunter, 24. M.Orlic, 2. P.Dolton, 22. C.Cowley, 11. N.Hunter

Referees: O. Ferguson & K. Aly

Other Men’s results from round 8 …

Pirates 9 (R.texeira 10′ 31′ 32′ 33′ 34′ J.Abdel 13′ B.Greenwood 17′ & D. D”Angelo 6′ 28′) def. Maccabi Maulers 1 (D.Lockhart 25′)
Riff Raff 1 (G.Leuzzi 35′) def. Any District 0
Northern Tigers 1 (A. Smajovic 30′) def. Barcelona 0
Dural Warriors 2 (E.Rumora 31′ 37′) drew with Futsal4All Phoenix 2 (J.Boutkabout 6′ R.Marsola 32′)

This event will showcase the best Senior Futsal talent in Australasia for Men and Women. New Zealand, Queensland, West Australia, NSW, North Queensland and New Zealand Maori will contest the mens section while New Zealand, Queensland, NSW, North Queensland and Northern NSW will contest the womens section.

The tournament will kick off on Thursday Aug 13th with the New Zealand women and men playing from 6pm, and continue from 10am on Friday and Saturday with the finals being played from 2pm on Sunday Aug 16th.

Entry is free to the tournament and all are welcome to come along and enjoy the high quality Futsal.

Australia’s futsal coach believes his side can finish at the top of its Maccabiah group, despite coming up against competition heavyweights Israel.

Simon Keith captains the Australian team and says he is thrilled his charges will face the gold-medal favourites in their opening clash on Sunday.

“I like it that way because they’re the benchmark. They think they’re chances are good to win it and I’d love to walk off Sunday afternoon after touching them up 5-1, it’d be great,” Keith said.

“But in saying that, if we lost it’d be good too because we’ll know where we’re at. The tournament doesn’t finish with the match against Israel and things can change very quickly in this game.”

The entire futsal side hails from NSW and has the benefit of playing together on a regular basis at home for Maccabi. They have also competed in other overseas tournaments since the team’s formation for the 2005 Maccabiah Games.

That team included captain Doron Pozniak, who was part of the side that shocked Great Britain four years ago.

“This is definitely the best futsal side we’ve had together since it started at Maccabiah and we’ve always got high hopes, it doesn’t matter who we come up against,” Pozniak said.

Play in our well-run, exciting, action-packed competitions!!

St George Futsal is based in Mortdale and games are played on artificial turf.

ALL COMPS ARE GRADED!!

• Junior Saturday morning comp will play 12 rounds and start 5 Sept and finish 28 November. Open to ages 5 to 8
• Youth Wednesday afternoon/evenings will play 12 rounds plus semi’s and finals. Open to ages 9 to 12
• Youth Monday afternoons will play a first-past-the post competition. Open to ages 13/14, 15/16.
• Mens open and Over 30’s will play Monday evenings for 18 rounds. It will be a first-past-the-post competition.

Play for St George Futsal and enjoy a professionally run competition in a family- friendly atmosphere!

We offer the following benefits:

• Games generally cost $8.00 per player, per game for juniors and $50 per team, per game for adults! Prices will be confirmed soon by Football NSW
• Unlike those that join “cowboy” outfits, our members can rest easy knowing that players, officials and spectators are fully insured with Football NSW. We advise participants to be very wary of dealing with non-affiliated and non-insured organisations with NO track record!
• We are fully affiliated with Football NSW Futsal and Football Federation Australia, the governing bodies of FUTSAL in Australia
• We exist solely to develop the game of futsal in the St. George district and make sure our members get great value for money
• We encourage our elite players to participate in the NSW State Age Futsal Championships run by Football NSW Futsal
• We have around 70 local St George teams and run futsal programs in the district to around 300 school children
• We try to schedule games that assist busy parents

We have a great track-record – ask our members, or speak to Tim Genzo at Football NSW on 8814 4464!

COMPETITION INFORMATION AND FEES:

Comps will commence early Sept and finish late November for ages 5 to 8. Youth aged 9 to 16 will play Sept to Dec. Mens will play Sept to Dec, break for holidays, finish in late Jan/early Feb.

Games will be played in the cool of the day/evening on Monday & Wednesday & Saturday afternoons

Venue: 2A Boundary Road, Mortdale

Junior and Adult divisions,

NUMBER OF PLAYERS: Teams can be min 5 and max 10 players. We recommend teams of 6 or 7 players.

RULES: Unlimited interchange, 5-a-side, futsal rules, futsal ball.

Note: Players not registered with Futsal NSW will incur a one-off annual rego/insurance fee!

REGISTRATION : please contact Moya Judd on 9547 0277 or by email at: andrew@stgeorgefutsalclub.com.au

5-8 year olds require birth certificate & 9 years – Adult require birth certificate/drivers license & passport photo

APIA Tigers Futsal will be participating in the Football NSW 2009/10 Futsal Super League; the club is looking for exciting and talented Futsal players to trial for the following age groups;

12 Boys, 14 Boys and 16 Boys
12 Girls, 14 Girls and 16 Girls

Women’s Trials: Saturday 11th July 2009, Saturday 18th July and Saturday 25th July

U12 Girls 9:30am – 10:30am
U14 Girls 10:30am – 11:30pm
U16 Girls 11:30am – 12:30pm
Women 1pm – 2pm

Venue: Ashfield Boys High School, 117 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield (Entrance via Wests Leagues car park)

Men’s Trials : Sunday 26th July

U12 Boys 3pm – 4pm
U14 Boys 4pm – 5pm
U16 Boys 5pm – 6pm
Youth Boys & Men 6pm-7:30pm

Venue : State Sports Centre, southern end of Olympic Boulevard, Homebush Bay

Sunday 2nd August:

U12 Boys 6:30pm – 7:15pm
U14 Boys & U16 7:15 – 8pm
Youth & Men 8 – 9pm

Venue: Sports Halls, located on the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Grand Ave, Homebush Bay

Sunday 9th August:

U12 Boys 6:30pm – 7:15pm
U14 Boys & U16 7:15 – 8pm
Youth & Men 8 – 9pm

Venue: Sports Halls, located on the corner of Olympic Boulevard and Grand Ave, Homebush Bay

All players must arrive 30 minutes prior to the commencement of trials to be ready to start on time.

If you are interested in trialling and are unable to make the above dates and times please contact Ben 0415 738 895 or John 0417 375 279

For further details please direct all enquires to:

John Mellino
0417 375 279
johnmellino@apiatigers.com

Ben Hussary
0415 738 895
hussaryb@gmail.com

Click here for the revised flyer (DOC)

Fijilive.com has a great gallery of photos from the OFC Futsal Championships 2009. Click out the gallery by clicking on the pic below.

Fijian captain Kamal Hassan scored a first half double to lead his team a 3-1 win over New Caledonia in their crucial Day 3 group game at the Vodafone arena in Fiji.

Last year’s Golden Boot winner Hassan put his team in front in the seventh minute, finishing off an excellent individual counter-attack by teammate Uraia Raimulo Loki with a powerful drive.

And Hassan again gave New Caledonia keeper Ronan Euzen no chance in the tenth minute after silky footwork saw him leave his marker for dead in midcourt and blast another blistering drive into the net.

New Caledonia were gifted a lifeline back into the contest on 16 minutes, though, when the Fijian defence offered up a weak pass to Hassan who was easily robbed of possession by New Caledonia’s Christophe Whaap who then finished with a unstoppable shot into the back of the Fijian net.

Whaap then undid his good work by giving away consecutive deliberate handballs in the 18th and 19th minutes, both of which incurred yellow cards resulting in his sending off. New Caledonia then showed impressive steel and organisation to deny Fiji a third goal as the clock ran down to halftime.

But the hosts were able to restrict New Caledonia to minimal scoring chances in the second stanza and flank player Dinesh Chand Mudaliar took his teams’ lead to two goals with an excellent drive into the net from a wide angle on 30 minutes.

From there Fiji displayed patience and control to dominate possession in the final ten minutes as they held on for a re-match of their Match Day 2 encounter with the Solomons, this Friday night.

New Caledonia: 1. Ronan EUZEN (GK); 5. Anderson PAULIN; 8. Ismael TCHOVAMILI; 10. Loic CAUNES; 11. Ivann POUROUORO

Subs: 2. Jerry IARUEL; 3. Adrien GUILLAMO; 4. Louis WAISHITINE; 6. Henri DRUDI; 7. Rodrigue POIWI; 9. Christophe WHAAP; Arnaud LLAMBRICH (GK)

Goal: Christophe WHAAP 16′

Yellow Cards: Christophe WHAAP 18′, 19′

Fiji: 1. Simione Moce TAMANISAU (GK); 2. Mira SAHIB; 3. Sandeep NAIR; 4. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR; 9. Kamal HASSAN

Subs: 5. Shivam NATHAN; 6. Mohammed SHALMEEN; 8. Aisea Dauivalu CODRO; 10. Uraia Raimulo LOKI; 11. Christopher Junior KUMAR; 12. Emori RAGATA (GK)

Goals: Kamal HASSAN 7′: 10′

Capital Football is pleased to invite all players to trial for the Futsal Nationals Representative squads to compete at the 2010 FFA National Futsal Championships in Canberra, January 11-15.

ONLINE TRIAL REGISTRATION – REGISTER NOW

The FFA National Futsal Championship is the biggest National Football tournament in Australia, attracting up to 2000 competitors from Australian States, Territories, and several Nations within the Oceania Region.

The ACT has a long and highly successful history at the Futsal National championships. In 2009 Capital Football fielded 28 teams who went on to appear in 16 Semi Finals and 5 National Championship matches.

In 2010 Capital Football will field male and female squads in the following age groups.

Under 11 (Born 1998)
Under 12 (Born 1997)
Under 13 (Born 1996)
Under 14 (Born 1995)
Under 15 (Born 1994)
Under 16 (Born 1993)
Under 19 (Born 1990, 91, 92)
Open

TRIAL INFORMATION

• All players must pre-register online for trials. REGISTER NOW.
• Trials are free.
• Players are encouraged to attend both trials.
• Players must trial in their own age group.
• Trial Venues- ACT Netball Centre and Southern Cross Basketball Stadium

TRIAL Dates and AGE GROUP Schedules

Click here to see the schedules on the ACT Website

Important Dates

September 18 – 27
State Squad Talent ID Trials

September 28
Train on Squads Announced

October 3 – November 28
Futsal High Performance Training Program- Train on Squads
(1 x per week Saturdays)

November 28
National Championship Squads Announced

December 1 – January 10
Pre-Tournament Training Program
(2 x per week Saturdays and Midweek)

December 12 – 13
Pre-Nationals Tournament vs Victoria

January 6 – 10
Pre Nationals Training Camp

January 11 – 15
National Championships

PROGRAM FEES

Futsal High Performance Training Program
$150.00 (includes training kit)

Pre-Tournament Training Program and National Championship Participation
$300.00 (includes equipment package)