The Solomon Islands have shown Vanuatu no mercy in their final group game on Match Day 3 at Vodafone Arena in Fiji.

The Kurukuru opened their scoring in just the second minute through Elliot Ragomo and within five minutes Micah Lea’alafa and Jack Wetney had extended the damage to 3-0.

Vanuatu looked to be adjusting to the speed of their opposition and keeper Daniel Mansale made a string of excellent saves to briefly keep the OFC defending champions at bay.

But Jack Wetney added his second on 14 minutes and Stanley Puairana got in the act to add number five.

And the second half was one way traffic also, as Wetney took his personal tally to four and Lea’alafa notched his second. Egata also found the net twice as the Kurukuru ran amok with six more goals.

Solomon Islands: 22. Paul HUIA (GK); 3. Elliot RAGOMO; 7. James EGETA; 9. Micah LEA’ALAFA; 12. Jack WETNEY

SUBS: 1. Alick LIOKA ; 2. Philip HOUTARAU ; 5. Jenan KAPU ; 6. Moffat SIKWA’AE ; 8. Francis LAFAI ; 10. Stanley PUAIRANA ; 11. Ron GINIO

Goals: Elliot RAGOMO 2′; Micah LEA’ALAFA 3′, 25′; Jack WETNEY 4′, 14′, 24′, 26′; Stanley PUAIRANA 18′; James EGETA 23′, 29′; Moffat SIKWA’AE 30′

Yellow card: James EGETA 39′

Coach: Dickson KADAU (SOL)

Vanuatu: 1. Daniel MANSALE (GK); 2. Morsen SOPE; 5. Lui SIFAS; 7. Ben HUNGAI ; 8. Louis DOMINIQUE ;

SUBS: 20. Pascal BALA (GK) ; 3. Don MANSALE ; 4. Marco HERROMINLY ; 9. Junior MALAS; 10. VIra Jack ALA

The Fiji Futsal team will be calling on home crowd support in Suva this evening as they face New Caledonia in the final group match of the OFC Futsal Championship to determine who will join Solomon Islands in the Final on Friday.

The hosts go into the crunch match at Vodafone Arena needing only a draw to advance but will have to bounce back from a 3-5 defeat to the Solomon Kurukuru yesterday while the New Caledonians are coming off a confidence boosting 5-4 win over Vanuatu. In tonight’s other match, Melanesian rivalry goes on the line when defending champions Solomon Islands meet the winless Vanuatu.

Fiji coach Imtiaz Khan says his young side is focusing on taking the right attitude into tonight’s decider.

“New Caledonia were one of the teams we beat last year but Futsal is so unpredictable and you can’t say what is going to happen,” said Khan. “All we can do is stay positive.”

Fiji captain Kamal Hassan will lead from the front and hope to continue his goal scoring ways after netting a brace on Match Day 2. Meanwhile New Caledonia will fancy their chances after a dramatic win over Vanuatu yesterday thanks to a Loic Caunes winner two minutes from full time. Coach Eric Michalak says his players have dug deep to stay in contention for the title.

“Against the Solomons (Match Day 1) it was a very, very hard match so it was not so easy for us to move yesterday because we were tired. I was really proud of my boys,” said Michalak.

The in-form Solomon Islands have less pressure going into their match against Vanuatu having already qualified for the Final but captain Elliot Ragomo believes there are still aspects of the game his team needs to work on.

“We can improve our set pieces, use our brains more and work on our teamwork and concentration.”

Speaking after yesterday’s match against Fiji, it was clear what the victory meant for Ragomo and his side.

“We knew it was our Independence Day so we just wanted to go so hard. For everyone watching and supporting and for the fans we are very happy that we have qualified (for the Final).”

Vanuatu, who are yet to pick up a point, will be playing for pride tonight but can take confidence in the fact that they beat the Solomon Islands 5-1 in last year’s OFC Futsal Championship. The match starts at 6:00pm (local time) with the Fiji-Vanuatu clash to follow at 8:00pm (local time).

For the latest scores and match reports stay tuned to www.oceaniafootball.com

OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 – Match Day 3 Preview

Match: Solomon Islands vs. Vanuatu
Date: Wednesday 8 July
Venue: Vodafone Arena, Suva
Time: 18h00 (Local time)

Match: Fiji vs. New Caledonia
Date:Wednesday 8 July
Venue: Vodafone Arena, Suva
Time: 20h00 (Local time)

Futsal4all has been given a copy of a recent letter sent to Clubs and Centres from Football NSW from the CEO Mike Quarmby in regards to Vikings, and the sport of Futsal within NSW.

We now reproduce the contents of it below :

———————

6th July 2009

Dear Futsal Clubs/Centres

The Board of Football NSW resolved in March 2009, to form a working party to review Futsal. The main objective of the working party is to review the current Futsal structure, develop a strategy to promote, develop and move the game forward.

The original working party included a representative of the Vikings and the CEO of PCYC. This gave these two organisations an opportunity to have a key role in helping to develop the sport.

During the meeting process the Vikings indicated that their main interest was in regional NSW in terms of Centres, Football NSW agreed to fund up to 2 Development Officers to assist this organisation in regional NSW and to assist other centres in the metropolitan area.

This was initially agreed to by Vikings but now they have advised the working party that they want to have their fees further reduced for the metropolitan area. Football NSW is unable to reduce fees any further in the metropolitan area for Vikings as Football NSW feel the fees should be the same for all centres/clubs in the metropolitan area and the Football NSW budget would incur a further loss.

Our objective was to have the sport under one banner in NSW. The working party made all efforts to make this happen. Unfortunately, the only major challenge was the Vikings ensuring their bottom line. Therefore, Vikings and PCYC, by their own choice to not come under the banner of Football NSW, will no longer be part of the working party or Football NSW.

Football NSW is committed to the development and expansion of the sport and we will have a budgeted loss next year to help these endeavours.

They include :-

• 20% reduction in registration fees
• FIFA and FFA recognised State and National Championship and development pathways
• Coach Accreditation
• Promotion of the sport
• National Television (Football Stars of Tomorrow)
• Website
• Media Coverage – Local Papers
• Radio
• Production of promotional material
• AFC Futsal Championships
• Well covered insurance for Centres, Players and Officials
• being part of the largest sporting organisation in the Country
• State and National exposure of the Premier League and Super League competitions

Initiatives:

• Football NSW will employ Development Officers to work with Centres in maximising their Futsal requirements. One initiative will be by way of working with our outdoor associations and getting their support. Another is we are working with our insurers to facilitate next season, that no outdoor players who want to play Futsal will have to pay insurance. This will lead to a further reduction in membership costs.
• It is also vitally important to protect your business and through the standing committee they will be responsible to help limit competition to you by those centres not affiliated to Football NSW
• Bi-monthly meetings will be convened with Centres to go over issues as well as new initiatives.
• Form a working party with representatives from Premier League & Super League Clubs to review the competition and provide feed back to FNSW.
• Developing accredited Coaches who can hold Coaching Certificate courses at various venues.

In summary, you are part of the Football Family, and through Football NSW, the only endorsed pathway.

Further, it is interesting that Vikings charge approximately $90.00 for an adult in Queensland and when asked why only $55 in NSW I was informed “because we have to be competitive with you”.

A meeting is being convened in early August with Centres and Clubs at which I will further discuss our initiaitives for you and the sports.

Yours faithfully

Michael Quarmby
Chief Executive Office
Football NSW

Note : The original Letter can be seen here (PDF)

As the upcoming 2009/10 Futsal Premier League season is vastly approaching, Inner West Allstars FC are holding trials and are looking for exciting and talented Futsal players to trial for the following age groups.

12 Boys/ 14 Boys/ Youth/ 12 Girls/ 14 Girls/ 16 Girls

VENUE: 98 Allison Crescent, Menai NSW 2234

ALL PLAYERS MUST ARRIVE 20 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE COMMENCEMENT OF TRIALS

Men’s Trials 17th & 24th July – Court 1
U12 Boys – 6:00 to 7:00pm
U14 Boys – 7:00 to 8:00pm
Youth Men – 8:00 to 9:00pm

Women’s Trials 17th & 24th July – Court 2
U12 Girls – 6:00 to 7:00pm
U14 Girls – 7:00 to 8:00pm
U16 Girls – 8:00 to 9:00pm

ALL PLAYERS MUST WEAR APPROPRIATE TRAINING GEAR

For further information about trials please contact Vince Ianni 0421 845 220 or email coach@innerwestallstars.com.au

Click here for the original flyer (PDF)

In anticipation that Campbelltown City Quake Futsal Club be successful in its application to participate in the Football NSW 2009/10 Futsal Premier League, the club will be holding trials as follows.

SATURDAY JULY 25 2009

12 GIRLS – 3.00PM-4.30PM
16 GIRLS – 3.00PM-4.30PM
14GIRLS – 4.30PM-6.00PM
OPEN WOMEN – 4.30PM6.00PM

And SATURDAY AUGUST 1ST 2009 if required

SUNDAY JULY 26 2009

16 BOYS – 4.00PM-5.30PM
12 BOYS and Academy – 4.00PM-5.30PM
14 BOYS – 5.30PM-7.00PM
YOUTH MEN – 5.30PM-7.00PM
OPEN MEN – 7.00PM-8.30PM

And SUNDAY AUGUST 2nd 2009 if required

All players to arrive 30 minutes prior to register and must wear appropriate attire.

Enquiries and more information contact Competition Coordinators

Rose Azzopardi – 0431 873794
Jeannette Gillligan – 0408 668032

The south-west’s hopes for the Victorian Futsal Championships were dashed yesterday with all local teams being knocked out of the competition.

For the first time in its three-year history, the indoor soccer titles were held outside metropolitan Melbourne at Warrnambool’s Arc Stadium.

Almost 400 soccer players aged 11 to 16 from across the state converged on the city for the championships.

Football Federation Victoria’s talented player co-ordinator Anthony Grima said 40 teams competed.

“It was great. Warrnambool Rangers entered three teams and we also had some teams from Camperdown,” he said.

“They really enjoyed it and want to establish their own local futsal competition now.”

Grima was pleased the south-west teams gave the competition a go, despite some players never being exposed to indoor soccer.

He said the local teams put in a strong effort, losing their games by narrow margins.

“They weren’t eliminated because they were of a lower playing standard,” Grima said.

“The local teams were really competitive and there were some really close games.”

Futsal is a downsized version of regular soccer and is played indoors. It is played by all ages and both sexes.

Grima said the city was chosen to host the titles because soccer’s popularity had surged in the south-west.

He said choosing a regional location ensured the sport would continue to grow.

“Football Federation Victoria likes to reward the regions which are doing well.”

Grima said a south-west-based futsal competition depended on the interest of the region’s sporting clubs.

He said the indoor competition worked well supporting regular outdoor soccer.

“It can be played any time throughout the year, so some players use it for training in the off-season.

“Football Federation Victoria will give local clubs every assistance to develop their own futsal competitions but ultimately it is up to the football clubs (if futsal is successful).”

Results: Under 11 boys’ champions: Melbourne Reds; runners-up: Monash City Junior Soccer Club.

Under 12 boys’ champions: Australia Bowen Soccer Academy; runners-up: Sandringham WSC.

Under 13 boys’ champions: South Melbourne JFC; runners-up: Australian Futsal Group.

Under 14 boys’ champions: Benchwarmers; runners-up: St Albans Strikers. Under 15/16 boys’ champions: St Albans Strikers; runners-up: Victorian Lions FC.

The young Solomon Islands FUTSAL side overcame a tough Fiji challenge tonight at the Vodafone Arena to give their country more joy on Independence Day.

The 5-3 victory has put the Kurukuru’s on top of the points table with six points after two impressive wins.

Below is the breakdown of the game:

Both teams are gunning for a win in the match to better their chances of winning the Championship.

Fijian skipper Kamal Hassan has opened the scoring in the match and Fiji lead 1-0.

Paul Huia has equalised for the Solomon Islands and the score now is 1-1.

The first half has concluded with both teams going to the breather leveled 1-1.

The second spell is expected to produce alot of fireworks as both teams will hunt for more goals to seal a victory in the clash.

The Solomon Islands Kurukuru’s have taken the lead through a Micah Lea’alafa goal early in the second spell.

Fiji has replaced its goalkeeper Ragata with Simione Tamanisau,

Lea’alafa has added one more goal to take the tally to 3-1 much to the delight of the Solomon Islands fans gathered here in numbers from USP, FSM, FIT, FCA and Fulton College.

Skipper Elliot Ragomo scored a brilliant goal from an individual effort to increase the Solomon Islands margin further.

Replacement Jack Wetney also registers his name on the scoreboard as the Kurukuru’s totally dominate the match in the later stages.

Fiji has pulled one back through replacement player Mohammad Shalmeen.

Kamal Hassan connects with a well timed header to pull one more back for Fiji.

The referee blows the final whistle and its all over here at the Vodafone Arena with Solomon Islands winning the match.

Final score: Fiji 3-5 Solomon Islands

The teams:
Fiji: Emori Ragata, Kamal Hassan, Aisea Codro, Uraia Loki, Sandeep Nair.

Solomon Islands: Alick Lioka, Elliot Ragomo, Micah Lae’alafa, James Egeta, Stanley Puairana.

The Solomon Islands have continued their hot goal scoring form at the OFC Futsal Championship with a 5-3 win over host nation Fiji on Day Two.

Fiji put in a brave effort to hold the Oceania Futsal champions to a 1-1 at halftime.

Against the run of play it was Fijian captain Kamal Hassan who opened the scoring for his team in the eighth minute after winning an aerial challenge in the Solomon’s goal circle and reacting quickest to slide the ball past the keeper.

The Solomon Islands drew level on 14 minutes as Jenan Kapu swiveled and shot in one movement just outside the Fijian circle.

Fiji suffered an injury setback less than a minute later when livewire Joseph Mishra fell heavily and was stretched away from the playing area.

As was the case in their opening match against New Caledonia, the Kurkuru managed to lift their intensity substantially in the second half and it paid off just two minutes into the new period as Micah Lea’alafa put his team ahead for the first time.

Lea’alafa and his teammates weren’t ready to stop there, he added a third goal on 29 minutes, captain Elliot Ragomo added a third after 30 minutes and Jack Wetney rounded out the Solomon’s scoring on the half hour.

Fiji were able to add an additional two goals to their total through Mohammed Shalmeen and Kamal Hassan then added his second of the match.

Fiji: 1. Emori RAGATA (GK); 3. Sandeep NAIR; 8. Aisea Dauivalu CODRO; 9. Kamal HASSAN ; 10. Uraia Raimulo LOKI;

SUBS: 1. Simone Moce TAMANISAU (GK); 2. Mira SAHIB; 4. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR; 5. Shivam NATHAN; Mohammed SHALMEEN; 7. Joseph MISHRA; 11. Christopher Junior KUMAR

Goals: Kamal HASSAN 8′, 39′; Mohammed SHALMEEN 38′;

Coach: Imtiaz KHAN (FIJI)

Solomon Islands: 1. Alick LIOKA (GK); 3. Elliot RAGOMO; 7. James EGETA; 9. Micah LEA’ALAFA; 10. Stanley PUAIRANA;

SUBS: 22. Paul HUIA (GK); 2. Philip HOUTARAU; 4. Jenan KAPU; 6. Moffat SIKWA’AE; 8. Francis LAFAI; 11, Ron GINIO; 12. Jack Wetney;

Goals: Jenan KAPU 14′; Micah LEA’ALAFA 22′, 29′; Elliot RAGOMO 30′; Jack WETNEY 35′

Coach: Dickson KADAU (SOL)

The much anticipated Day 2 clash between Fiji and the Solomon Islands has kicked off at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.

Both teams are gunning for a win in the match to better their chances of winning the Championship.

Fijian skipper Kamal Hassan has opened the scoring in the match and Fiji lead 1-0.

Paul Huia has equalised for the Solomon Islands and the score now is 1-1.

The teams:
Fiji: Emori Ragata, Kamal Hassan, Aisea Codro, Uraia Loki, Sandeep Nair.

Solomon Islands: Alick Lioka, Elliot Ragomo, Micah Lae’alafa, James Egeta, Stanley Puairana.

New Caledonia has kept their final ambitions alive with a 5-4 win over Vanuatu on Match Day Two of the OFC Futsal Championship.

Vanuatu opened scoring through Ben Edward after four minutes, only for New Caledonia to reply a minute later through Anderson Paulin.

New Caledonia then snatched back the lead thanks to a powerful direct freekick from Ismael Tchovamili before Lui Sifas drew Vanuatu level after 18 minutes.

But, it was the Caledonians who finished the half with momentum, Loic Caunes scoring from his team’s third direct free kick of the half with only a second left before the break.

Trailing 2-3 at halftime Vanuatu were delt a demoralising blow when Terry Quare was sent off for two minutes after his second yellow card offence.

They were then hit with another body blow when coach Marco Herrominly was sent from the stadium.

But they rallied immediately after Quare returned, with Edward drawing themlevel again, only for New Caledonia’s Ismael Tchovamili to reply in kind 30 seconds later.

The cut and thrust continued in a final ten minuts that saw Luis Sifas draw his team level for the third time before Caunes stepped up two minutes from full time to bury Vanuatu’s hopes with a deft side foot past the keeper.

New Caledonia: 20. Arnaud LLAMBRICH; 5. Anderson PAULIN; 8. Ismael TCHOVAMILI; 10. Loic CAUNES; 11. Ivann POUROURO;

Vanuatu: 1. Daniel MANSALE (GK) ; 6. Terry QUARE ; 9. Louis DOMINIQUE; 10. Vira Jack ALA; 11. Ben EDWARD