Sutherland wins FNSW Futsal awards (NSW)
Sutherland Shre did well at the recent NSW Football Futsal Awards night
Football NSW announces awards for the Sutherland Shire at the recent Futsal Premier and Super League presentation dinner held Friday 12th March 2010 at Bankstown Sports Club.
Sutherland for the first time at Super League level picked up the following awards;
Under 14s Boys, Super League Champions;
Sutherland – Nicholas Anderson, Aydin Dervis, Ashley Gomes, Jordan Guerreiro, Ben Hancock, Daniel Marques, Dan Nash, Brad Peryman, Nathan Spinola and Jesse Volarich
Under 14s Girls, Goal Keeper of the Year;
Sutherland – Emily Eve
Youth Mens, Golden Boot;
Sutherland – Troy Ruthven
Open Mens, Goal Keeper of the Year;
Sutherland – Joshua Collins
FNSW, Club Person of the Year;
Sutherland – Jim Apostolovski
2010 FFA Futsal Nationals;
Sutherland – 29 players represented NSW
These and many other Association awards from under 9s to open men’s and women’s will be celebrated at the 2nd annual presentation dinner to be held Friday 19th March 2010 at Club Menai from 7pm.
NSW Premier League Grand Final Highlights
James Brackenrig produces yet another top set of Premier League highlights
James Brackenrig from Inner West Allstars has put together an outstanding high quality highlights package from ALL of the NSW Premier League Grand Finals. It shows the goals and highlights for each of the winners, well worth your time to take a look.
It is the footage that was played recently at the NSW Futsal Awards night. Its 18 minutes long and about 500 Megs in size.
It can be viewed here on the Allstars website.
NSW Futsal Premier and Super League awards night a success
Award Winners announced for the top NSW Futsal Leagues
Football NSW celebrated the culmination of the 2009/2010 Futsal season with a spectacular awards night held at the Bankstown Sports Clubs’ newly furnished Grand Ballroom.
In front of over 400 invited guests 117 trophies were awarded to worthy recipients for their achievements and efforts throughout the season.
Football NSW President Jim Forrest spoke of how pleased he was with the growing popularity of Futsal and in particular the participation of people with disabilities and the social contribution Futsal can provide.
Forrest also praised the efforts of the NSW Thunder side which regardless of the results competed well against fully paid professionals at the World Club Championships in Iran.
Entertainment for the evening was provided by a magician named Phoenix who much to the amusement of the audience met his match when he unwittingly selected Eagles coach Roy (Ray) Cowie to come up on stage (and try) to help him with his routine. Much to the relief of all concerned he eventually managed to complete his trick without too much embarrassment.
A thought must be spared for MC for the evening Football NSW’s Executive Manager for Commercial Services Tony Peters who did a fine job to speak above the unruly din and keep the night moving along on time with the handing out of 117 trophies.
Perhaps the night did miss the opportunity to hear a short speech from some of the winners of the key awards but unfortunately there were so many awards and not enough time.
Many a deserving award were presented with some notable key awards listed below:
Club Championship Premier League - Inner West Allstars
Club Championship Super League - Enfield Rovers
Coach of the Year Premier League – Sam Galayini (Western Raiders)
Coach of the Year Super League – Steve Knight (Maccabi)
Referee of the Year - Roger Lee
Young referee of the Year - Meni Belkadi
Player of the Year Premier League
Mens – Danny Martinez (Quake) and Ben Lawson (Dural)
Women – Fabiana Perfilio (Sydney City)
Youth – Aaron Cimitile (Sydney City)
16 Girls – Doris Osman (Mascot)
16 Boys – Wade Giovenali
14 Girls – Amy Harrison (Sydney City)
14 Boys – Peter Makrillos (Sydney City)
12 Girls – Rhianna Pollicina (Raiders)
12 Boys – Richard Darko (Commodores)
Player of the Year Super League
Mens – Daniel Fulton (Maccabi)
Women – Ellen Wheatley (Breakers)
Youth – Ibrahim Kerem (Enfield)
16 Girls – Sarah Roger (Breakers)
16 Boys – Cristian Ciampa (West City)
14 Girls – Kristina Janeska (Taipans)
14 Boys – Dean Bereveskos (UTS Barcelona)
12 Girls – Caitlin Murphy (Enfield)
12 Boys – Bai Antoniou (UTS Barcelona)
Club Persons of the Year
Premier League
Campbelltown Quake – Jeannette Gilligan
Commodores – Bob Jenner
Inner West – James Brackenrig
Mascot Vipers – Alan Garlick
Sydney Benfica – Alysse Tasevski
Sydney City – Jan Breckenridge
Western Raiders – Aldo Liemich
Dural Warriors – Natalie Anyon-Smith
Super League
A.P.I.A.-Leichhardt Tigers – Glen Errington
Boomerangs – Samantha Mason
Botany Bay – Wanda Clifford
Breakers FC – Shane Watson
Enfield Rovers – Hilary Coolican
GWS Vikings – Ian Flower
Liverpool Fusion – Bojan Radmilo
Maccabi Hakoah – Marco Pin
Northern Tigers – Chris Cowley
Sutherland Shire – Jim Apostolovski
South Coast – Petria McGoldrick
WC Crusaders – Tony Lapatzis
UTS Barcelona – Vesna Ristevski
To view the entire awards list please click here. (note F4A have reproduced the full winners list below)
League Award Individual Winner Club
Super League 12 Boys Premiers UTS Barcelona FC
Super League 12 Boys Champions UTS Barcelona FC
Super League 14 Boys Premiers UTS Barcelona FC
Super League 14 Boys Champions Sutherland Shire
Super League 16 Boys Premiers South Coast Taipans
Super League 16 Boys Champions West City Crusaders
Super League 12 Girls Premiers Enfield Rovers
Super League 12 Girls Champions Boomerang FS
Super League 14 Girls Premiers Breakers FC
Super League 14 Girls Champions Breakers FC
Super League 16 Girls Premiers Breakers FC
Super League 16 Girls Champions Breakers FC
Super League Women Premiers Botany Bay Pirates
Super League Women Champions Botany Bay Pirates
Super League Youth Men Premiers Maccabi
Super League Youth Men Champions Maccabi
Super League Men Premiers Maccabi
Super League Men Champions Maccabi
Premier League 12 Boys Premiers Commodores FCB
Premier League 12 Boys Champions Commodores FCB
Premier League 14 Boys Premiers Inner West Allstars
Premier League 14 Boys Champions Western Raiders
Premier League 16 Boys Premiers Inner West Allstars
Premier League 16 Boys Champions Campbelltown City Quake
Premier League 12 Girls Premiers Campbelltown City Quake
Premier League 12 Girls Champions Campbelltown City Quake
Premier League 14 Girls Premiers Inner West Allstars
Premier League 14 Girls Champions Inner West Allstars
Premier League 16 Girls Premiers Inner West Allstars
Premier League 16 Girls Champions Mascot Vipers
Premier League Women Premiers Campbelltown City Quake
Premier League Women Champions Sydney City Eagles
Premier League Youth Men Premiers Inner West Allstars
Premier League Youth Men Champions Inner West Allstars
Premier League Men Premiers Inner West Allstars
Premier League Men Champions Campbelltown City Quake
Super League Club Champions Enfield Rovers
Premier League Club Champions Inner West Allstars
Super League Club Person of the Year Glen Errington APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Super League Club Person of the Year Samantha Mason Boomerangs F.S.
Super League Club Person of the Year Wanda Clifford Botany Bay Pirates
Super League Club Person of the Year Shane Watson Breakers Futsal Club
Super League Club Person of the Year Hilary Coolican Enfield Rovers
Super League Club Person of the Year Ian Flower Greater Western Sydney Vikings
Super League Club Person of the Year Bojan Radmilo Liverpool Fusion
Super League Club Person of the Year Marco Pin Maccabi Hakoah Futsal
Super League Club Person of the Year Chris Cowley Northern Tigers
Super League Club Person of the Year Jim Apostolovski Sutherland Shire Futsal
Super League Club Person of the Year Petria McGoldrick South Coast Taipans
Super League Club Person of the Year Tony Laspatzis West City Crusaders
Super League Club Person of the Year Vesna Ristevski UTS Barcelona FC
Premier League Club Person of the Year Jeannette Gilligan Campbelltown City Quake
Premier League Club Person of the Year Bob Jenner Commodores FCB
Premier League Club Person of the Year James Brackenrig Inner West Allstars
Premier League Club Person of the Year Alan Garlick Mascot Vipers
Premier League Club Person of the Year Alysse Tasevski Sydney Benfica FC
Premier League Club Person of the Year Jan Breckenridge Sydney City Eagles
Premier League Club Person of the Year Aldo Liemich Western Raiders
Premier League Club Person of the Year Natalie Anyon-Smith Dural Warriors
Referees Young Referee of the Year Meni Belkadi Mario Mazzeo Award
Referees Referee of the Year Roger Lee
Super League Coach of the Year Steve Knight Maccabi Hakoah Futsal
Premier League Coach of the Year Sam Galayini Western Raiders
Super League GK of the Year 12 Boys Adam Faulkner South Coast Taipans
Super League GK of the Year 12 Girls Jessica Urquhart Enfield Rovers
Super League GK of the Year 14 Boys Stephen Spirou APIA Leichhardt Tigers
Super League GK of the Year 14 Girls Emily Eve Sutherland Shire
Super League GK of the Year 16 Boys Daniel Rakvin Enfield Rovers
Super League GK of the Year 16 Girls Sarah Veli-Gold UTS Barcelona
Super League GK of the Year Youth Men Lloyd Fermino South Coast Taipans
Super League GK of the Year Women Simone Bateman Greater Western Sydney Vikings
Super League GK of the Year Men Joshua Collins Sutherland Shire
Premier League GK of the Year 12 Boys Dominic Breckenridge Sydney City Eagles
Premier League GK of the Year 12 Girls Chloe Avgoustou Mascot Vipers
Premier League GK of the Year 14 Boys Blake Tuxford & Jayden Diacono Sydney City Eagles & Commodores FCB
Premier League GK of the Year 14 Girls Shamiran Khamis Western Raiders
Premier League GK of the Year 16 Boys Mitchell Gonzalez Western Raiders
Premier League GK of the Year 16 Girls Cassandra Nader & Ava Acevedo Mascot Vipers & Dural Warriors
Premier League GK of the Year Youth Men Wayne Estevao Sydney Benfica
Premier League GK of the Year Women Michelle Dingwall Commodores FCB
Premier League GK of the Year Men Peter Akers Western Raiders
Super League Golden Boot 12 Boys Bai Antoniou UTS Barcelona FC
Super League Golden Boot 12 Girls Caitlin Murphy Enfield Rovers
Super League Golden Boot 14 Boys Dean Bereveskos UTS Barcelona FC
Super League Golden Boot 14 Girls Kristina Janeska South Coast Taipans
Super League Golden Boot 16 Boys Lucas Rossi + Cristian Ciampa West City Crusaders
Super League Golden Boot 16 Girls Sarah Roger Breakers FC
Super League Golden Boot Youth Men Troy Ruthven Sutherland Shire
Super League Golden Boot Women Kimberley Pope GWS Vikings
Super League Golden Boot Men Joseph Foti Enfield Rovers
Premier League Golden Boot 12 Boys Richard Darko Commodores FCB
Premier League Golden Boot 12 Girls Rhianna Pollicina Western Raiders
Premier League Golden Boot 14 Boys Bruno Antelmi Sydney City Eagles
Premier League Golden Boot 14 Girls Shayna Killey Dural Warriors
Premier League Golden Boot 16 Boys Daniel Vellonio Campbelltown City Quake
Premier League Golden Boot 16 Girls Doris Osman Mascot Vipers
Premier League Golden Boot Youth Men Rhys Giovenali + Shervin Adeli Dural Warriors + Inner West Allstars
Premier League Golden Boot Women Stephanie Haim Campbelltown City Quake
Premier League Golden Boot Men Yavuz Ekinci Mascot Vipers
Super League 12 Boys POY Bai Antoniou UTS Barcelona
Super League 12 Girls POY Caitlin Murphy Enfield Rovers
Super League 14 Boys POY Dean Bereveskos UTS Barcelona
Super League 14 Girls POY Kristina Janeska South Coast Taipans
Super League 16 Boys POY Cristian Ciampa West City Crusaders
Super League 16 Girls POY Sarah Roger Breakers
Super League Youth Men POY Ibrahim Kerem Enfield Rovers
Super League Women POY Ellen Wheatley Breakers
Super League Mens POY Daniel Fulton Maccabi
Premier League 12 Boys POY Richard Darko Commodores FCB
Premier League 12 Girls POY Rhianna Pollicina Western Raiders
Premier League 14 Boys POY Peter Makrillos Sydney City Eagles
Premier League 14 Girls POY Amy Harrison Sydney City Eagles
Premier League 16 Boys POY Wade Giovenali Dural Warriors
Premier League 16 Girls POY Doris Osman Mascot Vipers
Premier League Youth Men POY Aaron Cimitile Sydney City Eagles
Premier League Women POY Fabiana Perfilio Sydney City Eagles
Premier League Mens POY Ben Lawson + Danny Martinez Dural Warriors + Campbelltown City Quake
Pro’s Cafe (LIB) 6-4 NSW Thunder (AUS) – Updated
AFC Match Review for the Thunder vs Pro’s Cafe match – updated with pictures fom the game
Pro’s Cafe claimed their second victory in Group B of the AFC Futsal Club Championship as they defeated NSW Thunder 6-4 at Pirouzi Stadium on Tuesday.
The three points means the Lebanese side will progress to the semi-finals if Chinese side Wuhan Dilong are unable to beat Port Authority of Thailand or if the Thais fail to win by a large enough goal margin.
Pro’s Cafe started well and Khaled Takaji was instrumental in the opening goal in the seventh minute when he jinked past a defender before stabbing the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Roberto Maiorana, allowing player-coach Rabih Abou Chaaya to tap home.
Takaji found the side netting after 13 minutes while at the other end keeper Rabie Kakhi palmed away a long-range effort from Daniel Martinez.
But Pro’s extended their lead with three minutes of the half remaining when Mahmoud Itani side footed the ball into the net.
NSW Thunder responded a minute into the second half when Jack Wetney lashed home from skipper Lachlan Wright’s pass but Pro’s Cafe hit back immediately as Abou Chaaya picked up the ball on the right, shirked the attention of two defenders before lifting a shot above Maiorana.
Takaji’s rasping drive rattled the underside of the crossbar before nestling in the back of the goal soon after before Christopher Zeballos hit the post for NSW Thunder after 30 minutes following a well-worked move.
NSW Thunder pulled a goal back when Mustafa Alpkaya fired home and from then on the Australians were dominating possession but had also pushed their goalkeeper up to the halfway line to reinforce the attack and Pro’s Cafe took advantage when Takaji found the net from his own half.
NSW Thunder again responded as Martinez scored after Dylan Maloney’s effort had come back off the post but Pro’s Cafe quickly restored their three-goal advantage when Takaji charged down the line before flicking a pass with the outside of his boot for Kassem Kawsan to turn home.
Jamie Amendolia’s side rallied late on and reduced the deficit through Dean Lockhart but it was not enough to deny their opponents victory.
Futsal 4 all at the Nationals – Athletes with Disabilities
A nice writeup on the two exibition matches played by AWD at the Nationals
The 2010 Futsal National championships in Canberra was an amazing time for athletes with a disability. New South Wales were represented by 2 sides (NSW Lightning and NSW Thunder) that played 2 exhibition games.
The competition was a spectacular success. The athletes were privileged to carry the flag into the stadium for the opening ceremony. The ceremony consisted of all the competing athletes marching into the arena in a long winding procession. The athletes were visibly moved as they marched into the packed Arena at the Institute of Sport and proudly belted out the National anthem.
However, we had no time to watch the opening games as we had to prepare for our opening game that evening at Mpowerdome. The game was a very fierce contest between the Thunder and Lightning played at a frenetic pace. When the dust had finally settled at the end of the game the Lightning had won by a score of 5 – 4.
The next day saw the return leg of the competition played at Tuggeranong. Once again the crowd was enthralled in a closely fought match. The action was played from end to end and when the game had concluded the score was locked at 6 – 6. In our 2 exhibition matches a single goal was all that separated the teams!
At the end of the competition I asked all the participants what they had got out of the competition; to a person they all said that they had had fun out of the event and made many new friends. This of itself is an outstanding result. However what it means for athletes with disabilities is so much more. The event showcased athletes with disabilities and produced a commitment from the organising committee to facilitate a full competition at next years Nationals. This is a remarkable achievement and one the athletes are really looking forward to.
To achieve these remarkable results a big thank you must go to some dedicated people who have strived to make athletes with disabilities a part of the Futsal community: Mr. Rob Varela from Football NSW Futsal has been inspirational in supporting the athletes and facilitating the events and Damian Briggs from Football NSW Futsal ensured that the athletes were part of the NSW team. A big thank you to these outstanding gentlemen.
New Futsal Forum for Sydney Futsal Centres
A new website for local Sydney Futsal players
A new website is now available for the various Sydney Futsal Centres. Its called Sydney Indoor Soccer Forum and can be viewed at the link below
http://www.indoorsoccerforum.com.au/
A blurb from the site :
This site is for the hardcore lovers of FUTSAL at all of the supported centres. This is your chance to get into the minds of the opposition, gloat about your position on the table or just fill the void between games. Please remember that it is just for fun and not to go too over the top…
The ISF Rankings are the statistics for other supported centres around sydney such as overall rating, highest goals scored, lowest goals conceded, winning percentages and even a comparison between Marrickville PCYC, Five Dock, Northern Beaches, North Sydney, Sydney Uni and Ryde Aquatic centre.
Advertise for a player in Player Classifieds or individuals can promote themselves to perspective teams in the various centres.
Hint with the team rankings the algorithm favours a good defence so keep that backline in check. The rankings will continue throughout the year so it’s best to keep the same team name to see your progress.
New centres can be added to this site, if you wish to do so see the ‘contact us’ link on the site. The aim is to grow the site as much as possible!!
Sutherland 14s Boys Futsal Champions (NSW)
A writeup on on the NSW Super League winning squad
The Sutherland Shire Futsal 14 Boys team were crowned FNSW Futsal Super League Champions on Saturday 20th February 2010 after winning their grand final match 3-1 against Liverpool Fusion at the Dural Sports & Leisure Centre.
The team is the first championship winning team within Super League for the Sutherland Shire Futsal Association as it grows from strength to strength being only established 3 years ago.
It was three wins from three games against Liverpool as the Sutherland team had beaten them during the season and the semi finals, and then went on to beat Barcelona UTS and secure the first spot in the grand final game.
The grand final match was a very tight game with both teams playing conservative in the opening minutes and each team being restricted to long range shots. Liverpool were first to break the deadlock after keeping a loose ball in play and with our goal keeper out of position fired a shot that hit the cross bar and only just managed to cross the goal line before bouncing back out.
But Sutherland came back and Nathan Spinola was looking to break through and collect a high ball, but instead collected a Liverpool foot to head, while the Liverpool player collected second yellow card. From the resulting free kick Ashley Gomes fired a blistering shot past the Liverpool Keeper.
With the score 1-1 at half time and further into second half with Brad Peryman in goals for Sutherland making top saves to keep Liverpool out. The tension was growing as the game headed into the final 10 minutes until Jordan Guerreiro fired Sutherland ahead with some skilful and determined play in front of goal. The game was secured a few minutes later as Jordan’s continuing hard work forced Liverpool into a mistake and cost them an own goal.
Liverpool threw on their big gun players in the final minutes but Sutherland held strong to secure the club’s first Championship trophy.
Sutherland coach Steve Simonovski applauded the effort and achievement of his team, “I’ve been saying to the boys over the last few weeks that they are the best team because they work together as a team and fight for each other, and today they proved they are the best. “I’ve been so impressed with the team’s spirit and the way the boys have gelled together this year. Their attitude and work rate is a coach’s dream. They have been consistent all year and produced the goods when it counts and they thoroughly deserve their victory today.”
Sutherland Shire: Nicholas Anderson, Aydin Dervis, Ashley Gomes, Jordan Guerreiro, Ben Hancock, Daniel Marques, Dan Nash, Brad Peryman, Nathan Spinola, Jesse Volarich. Coach: Steve Simonovski. Manager: Stephen Anderson.
Other Sutherland teams to make the finals this season include the 12 Boys, 14 Girls, and Youth Mens teams. All the teams will be celebrated at the club’s Presentation Dinner which will be held on Friday 19th March at Club Menai. Anyone interested in attending the Presentation night can contact Ruth Guerreiro on 0405 215 940.
Amendolia: A reality check for Aussie futsal (AFC)
Coaches comments from the Thunder vs Pro’s Cafe match
NSW Thunder coach Jamie Amendolia believes Australian futsal has a long way to go before it can compete on an equal footing with the rest of Asia after his side lost their fourth and final game at the AFC Futsal Club Championship with a 6-4 defeat to Pro’s Cafe on Tuesday.
The Australians had failed to register a single point from their previous three Group B games to see their chances of qualification to the last four disappear and despite a spirited display against Pro’s Cafe, they again slumped to defeat.
Amendolia believes his players are better for the experience but acknowledged the need for futsal to improve in Australia if they are to perform better at future tournaments.
“There is a huge difference,” said Amendolia, pictured coaching his players during their match with Pro’s Cafe.
“We are playing against sides here that are professional and train regularly. We play against sides that train once a week back home.
“The speed and the intensity is the big difference between this tournament and back in Australia.
“Looking back I think we are getting close to competing but there is still that little gap that we have to work on.
“This tournament for us has been very important. Before we came here we had no international experience but now we do and we can evaluate where we are at in our country and see what we need to develop.”
Pro’s Cafe coach Rabih Abou Chaaya felt his side were rarely challenged by NSW Thunder as the Lebanese side gave themselves a chance of progressing to the last four.
Abou Chaaya’s side needed to win if they were to have a hope of reaching the semi-finals but are still reliant on the result between Chinese side Wuhan Dilong and Port Authority of Thailand going their way.
“This was the easiest game in our group,” he said. “The Australian team had no hope for qualification and they were tired from Monday’s game.
“They had no real motivation to beat us only to get three points.”
NSW Thunder (AUS) 5-6 Port Authority (THA)
Match review from the AFC for the Thunder vs Port match
Port Authority of Thailand kept alive their AFC Futsal Club Championship semi-finals hopes while ending NSW Thunder’s after claiming a hard-fought 6-5 win over the Australians at Pirouzi Stadium on Monday.
Ukrit Taengtung’s late strike settled an encounter that could easily have gone either way and gives the Thais all to play for ahead of their final group game against Wuhan Dilong of China on Tuesday.
The Australians got off to a bad start as Port Authority climbed into a two-goal lead as first Ukrit bundled home before Mustafa Alpkaya put the ball into his own net.
Alpkaya quickly made amends though when he reduced the deficit soon after before Dean Lockhart brought NSW Thunder back on level terms.
Things got even better for Jamie Amendolia’s side when they took the lead through Solomon Islands forward Jack Wetney and though Suchin Eamchalard rattled the bar midway through the half for the Thais, the Thunder held onto their slender advantage at the break.
They could not stop Port Authority levelling a minute into the second half when Nattavut Madyalan struck and though Alpkaya regained the lead for his side soon after, Ukrit pushed Wuttichai Tintawee’s goal bound shot over the line to restore parity.
There followed a spell of attrition with both sides unable to find a way through either defence but Thai skipper Santanaprasit Tanakorn stabbed home to put Port Authority ahead.
NSW Thunder goalkeeper Peter Spathis equalised when he punished opposite number Sakchai Hamaitree for venturing to the halfway line but Ukrit ended the Australians’ AFC Futsal Club Championship campaign when he fired home late on to secure the three points.
Amendolia not downbeat about defeat (AFC)
Comments from both coaches after the NSW Thunder vs Port Authority match yesterday
NSW Thunder coach Jamie Amendolia was in good spirits despite seeing his side fail to register a win for the third successive game and end their slim hopes of reaching the last four of the AFC Futsal Club Championship.
The Australians needed three points against Port Authority of Thailand to stay in the tournament but were downed 6-5 in a close-fought match at Pirouzi Stadium on Monday.
The defeat means NSW Thunder remain rooted to the foot of Group B and with only pride to play for in their final game against Pro’s Cafe on Tuesday.
“Today’s match was very frustrating for us,” said Amendolia (pictured).
“We dominated the game and dominated possession.
“It is respect to our team when you see another side come and play against you with a power play for the whole second half. They had no way to break us down and so had to use that method of attack.”
Amendolia had hoped prior to the match that influential forward Elliot Ragomo would be able to take his place in the starting line-up for first time since suffering an injury in their opening game against Chinese side Wuhan Dilong.
However, the Solomon Islands star was still not deemed fit enough and Amendolia admitted his absence in the last two games proved telling.
“He was still injured unfortunately,” he added. “It was a very bad injury he suffered in the first game and unfortunately he hasn’t been able to play since.
“In today’s game and against Wuhan Dilong the difference was only the odd goal and I think in some respects we lost a very important player who could have changed these games for us.”
For Port Authority the three points mean they still have a chance to claim a top-two finish in the group when they tackle Wuhan Dilong on Tuesday.
After surrendering a two-goal lead against NSW Thunder, the Thais often found themselves on the back foot before a switch to a more direct style of play in the second half paid dividends.
“This game was a very, very good game,” said coach Udom Taveesuk. “Their players were very good and it was more difficult than previous matches.
“It was hard for us to counter attack. We had to use power play in the second half and that is how we got chances to get goals.”



















