BANGKOK – Australia came from a goal down to see off Turkmenistan 3-1 in their opening AFC Futsal Group B encounter at Nimibutr Stadium.After a slow start during which they fell behind, Gregory Giovenali, Christopher Zeballos and Adrian Vizzari scored a goal apiece to get Scott Gilligan’s side off on the right foot.

Turkmenistan took an unexpected lead when Ahmed Allabrediyev beat keeper Peter Spathis with a powerful shot from a tight angle near the touchline.

Australia looked for an immediate reply and skipper Lachlan Wright stung keeper Ildar Tashliyev’s hands with a low drive.

Fernando de Moraes then brought another good save from Tashliyev after working himself an opening before Gilligan’s men did eventually find an equaliser

Giovenali forced Tashliyev to tip a swerving effort over the bar and from the resulting corner, the same player collected the ball before striding forward and drilling the ball low into the bottom corner.

Spathis then brought the crowd to its feet with a run down the right that ended with a powerful shot that Tashliyev parried.

And the Turkmenistan keeper was called into action early in the second half with a great save to deny Christopher Zeballos.

But Australia finally went ahead when Tashliyev pushed away a fierce strike and Zeballos gleefully accepted the rebound.

Vizzari then rattled the bar with a free-kick before his free shot at goal was well saved by Tashliyev. But he made amends at the death with a delicate chip over the Turkmenistan keeper to seal the victory.

Source : www.the-AFC.com
Published : 11/5/2008

If you like the taste of Australian Thai food well I’m sure Scott Kidson and Chris Colley would be able to tell you it tastes 10 times better in Bangkok with their visit for the AFC Futsal Championship from 11th to the 18th May.

Futsal, a highly entertaining form of indoor football is immensely popular across Asia and AFC wont be deterred in putting the guys through an arduous preparation course and fitness. Futsal will continue to prosper in Australia resulting in better teams and better referees. We wish both Scott and Chris the best of luck for this tournament.

Source : Football Australia
Published : 1/5/2008

The Qantas Futsalroos continued their preparations for their assault at making the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil later this year, with a 6-2 win over Kuwait in Bangkok, Thailand.

The team came back from a 2-1 half time deficit, to overwhelm the Kuwaiti’s who are also participating at the AFC Futsal Championships that start in Bangkok next Sunday.

It wasn’t the best start by Australia as they tried to find their rhythm in the hot and humid conditions, with Kuwait taking advantage and grabbing the half time lead. Read more

The Qantas Futsalroos will open their qualifying campaign for the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup on Sunday with Scott Gilligan’s side looking to maintain Australia’s record of having appeared in every FIFA Futsal World Cup since the inaugural version in 1989.

The Qantas Futsalroos have been drawn alongside number 2 ranked Asian side Japan, along with Turkmenistan and Chinese Taipei for the Asian Football Confederation’s Futsal Championships being held in Thailand.

The four semi finalists at the 16 nation tournament will represent Asia at October’s FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil.

Gilligan has chosen an experienced 14 man squad for the qualifying tournament which features seven veterans of the 2004 World Cup campaign.

Australia’s first Group B match is against Turkmenistan on Sunday, followed by Chinese Taipei on Monday and Japan on Tuesday 13 May.  The all-important quarter finals will see the top two teams in Group B meet the top two teams in Group A that features Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq and Indonesia.

Australia will complete their final preparations with matches against Kuwait tomorrow and against the Thailand U21s on Thursday, having demolished New Zealand 11-2 in Sydney on Saturday immediately prior to flying out to Bangkok.

The Qantas Futsalroos squad for the qualifying tournament is:

Tuan Cao (NSW), Fernando de Moreas (VIC), Trent Flanigan (ACT), Greg Giovenali (NSW), Luke Haydon (QLD), Simon Keith (NSW), Angelo Konstantinou (ACT), Dean Lockhart (NSW), Danny Ngaluafe (Qld), Gavin O’Brien (NSW), Peter Spathis (NSW), Adrian Vizzari (NSW), Lachlan Wright (NSW), Christopher Zeballos (NSW).

The four groups are:
Group A – Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq, Indonesia
Group B – Japan, Australia, Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei
Group C – Uzbekistan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Korea Republic
Group D – IR Iran, Tajikistan, China PR, Kuwait

Australia’s matches are:
May 11 v Turkmenistan – 6.45pm (local time)
May 12 v Chinese Taipei – 12 noon (local time)
May 13 v Japan – 6.45pm (local time)

All matches in the tournament will be played at either the Nimibutr or Hua Mark stadiums in Bangkok, with the final to be held on May 18.

Source : Football NSW
Published : 5/5/2008

The Australian Futsalroos & New Zealand National Futsal Team will play an International Friendly on Saturday 3rd May at Dural Leisure Centre. The game starts at 6.00pm.

This is in preparation for the Asian Football Confederation Futsal Championships to be held in May, from the 11th – 18th in Thailand in which the top four teams will qualify for the 2008 World Cup to be held later on in the year in Brazil.

Australia’s group consists of:

Japan
Turkmenistan
Chinese Taipei

There will be a host of NSW players trying to stake their claim for an AFC and World Cup position with some great performances.

On the 4th May the New Zealand National team will play Sydney Magic PCYC the current premier League Champions at Marrickville PCYC from 7:30pm.

This is a unique opportunity to see the Australian Futsalroos on home soil, so come and support the boys and watch Australia’s best Futsal players do what they do best, entertain, excite and amaze.

Entry to both games are free.

Results

Australia 13 defeated New Zealand 2

Sydney Magic PCYC 6 defeated New Zealand 0

Source : Football NSW
Published : 2/5/2008