AUCKLAND – The Futsalroos may have secured a series whitewash over New Zealand in the inaugural ASB Trans Tasman Cup with a 6-2 win today, but there is unanimous agreement on both sides that the newly launched futsal concept should continue into the future.

A spirited Futsal Whites gave a good account of themselves in the final match of the series at ASB Stadium in Kohimarama with goals to 2011 New Zealand player of the year Dylan Manickum and Jakub Sinkora ensuring honours were shared 2-2 in the second half.

Australia proved too strong for their opponents racing out to a commanding 4-0 lead at half time after goals to Aaron Climitle, Nathan Niski, Daniel Fogarty and Fernando de Moraes. The Brazilian-born de Moraes added a second after the break before goal machine Jarrod Basger sealed the win with his sixth goal of the series.

The win completed a sweep for the FIFA Futsal World Cup bound Futsalroos after a 3-0 win on Friday was backed up by a 6-1 victory last night. On the other side of the ledger the Futsal Whites can take pride in the fact that they got progressively better as the series wore on.

“I’m extremely happy with the progress we’ve made,” said Futsal Whites coach Scott Gilligan “and I think the second half today really showed how far we come.”

Many within the Futsal Whites camp were adamant that further international matches were crucial to their overall improvement, and despite the successful introduction of the ASB Futsal National League the step up to international level was significant.

“Our national league is getting better and better, but the step from the national league to international level is massive and the only way to get better is to play these sorts of matches,” said Futsal Whites goal scorer Jakub Sinkora, a former professional futsal player in Europe.

Gilligan was pleased his young charges had the opportunity to play internationally and could acknowledge the difference in standards.

“It’s great that the boys appreciate the step up. At the national league level they have that extra second and they can score lots of goals, but we don’t get many goals at the next level because you don’t have that time on the ball.”

The ASB Trans Tasman Cup, the brainchild of New Zealand Football Futsal Development Manager Dave Payne, has been a welcome addition on both sides of the ditch with both team captains hoping it would be the first of many.

“It will be great to make it annual event, whether they come here or we go there, all you want is to be playing top quality opposition every year so we can push each other on the world stage,” said Futsal Whites skipper Marvin Eakins.

His opposite Toby Seeto agreed, “In Australia we don’t play enough friendly international games and with New Zealand being our closest neighbour I would love to see this more often.”

The Futsalroos now turn their attention to a one-off friendly with Oceania champions the Solomon Islands in Brisbane on October 10.

While the Futsal Whites will return to their respective federations in preparation for the third edition of the ASB Futsal National League with series one kicking off in Dunedin on the weekend of December 8 and 9.

ASB Trans Tasman Cup

ASB Stadium, Kohimarama, Auckland

Match 3 – September 23

New Zealand 2 (Dylan Manickum 31’; Jakub Sinkora 35’) Australia 6 (Nathan Niski 11’; Aaron Cimitle 13’; Daniel Fogarty 18’; Fernando de Moraes 19’, 29’; Jarrod Basger 39’)

Halftime: 0-4

New Zealand: 1-Clayton CHAPPELL (gk); 2-James VAUGHAN; 3-Dylan MANICKUM; 4- Bakr AL-SAUDI; 5-Miro MAJOR; 6-Michael SANNUM; 7-Marvin EAKINS (c); 8-Daniel BURNS; 9-Jakub SINKORA; 10-Lucas SILVA; 12-David PLOWRIGHT (gk); 13-Elliot COLLIER; 14-Tai BARHAM; 15-Harvey MILLS

Coach: Scott GILLIGAN

Australia: 1-Peter SPATHIS (gk); 2-Daniel FULTON; 3-Jarrod BASGER; 4-Dean LOCKHART; 6-Andreas GOMEZ; 7-Tobias SEETO (c); 8-Fernando DE MORAES; 9-Daniel FOGARTY; 10-Lachlan WRIGHT; 11-Shervin ADELI; 12-Roberto MAIORANA (gk); 13-Angelo KOSTANTINOU (gk); 14-Aaron CIMITLE; 15-Nathan NISKI

Coach: Steven KNIGHT