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.

The team captains. Click for a larger version

Adrian Vizzari Free Kick. Click for a larger version

Zeballos hits the post. Click for a larger version

Click for a larger version

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.

Click for a larger version

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!

Click for a larger version

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.

NSW Thunder & Lightning Teams – Athletes with disabilities. Click for a larger version

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!!

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.

“The referees have performed well so far and met our expectations despite the fact that they come from different countries where level of futsal is different,” he told www.the-afc.com after the group stage of the inaugural AFC Futsal Club Championship.

“Considering that futsal is still in the development stages in the continent, the referees have performed well in general.”

“The referees attend daily discussions and watch video clippings after the matches to review their performance. This certainly helps them to improve,” he added.

“I think more international exposure will make them better.”

Hosts Foolad Mahan Sepahan will meet Port Authority of Thailand while Japan’s Nagoya Oceans will play Qatar’s Al Sadd in the semi-finals on March 11.

The final will be played on March 12.

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.”

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.

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.”

A win for the Lebanese could see them snatch second spot 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.

NSW Thunder are already out of the running for a place in the last four but Chaaya has warned his players not to let that fact be a reason for a drop in performance levels against the Australians.

“I have to think about only the Australia game and if it is God’s will we will be in the second round but if not then it has been a good experience,” said Chaaya (pictured).

“It is good they do not have a hope of the second round but they have to do something and maybe they will think they can do it against us.

“I have to get my players out of this mentality. We have to win and we cannot think about the Australians’ emotions and what they are thinking. We are only thinking of the win and that is what is important.”

NSW Thunder coach Jamie Amendolia has promised Pro’s Cafe his side will not roll over and give up the three points easily as they look to finish the tournament on a high.

“Each game we play has been a learning experience,” he said.

“We will treat the last game as we have treated the first three games. We are here to win and I am sure the boys will come out with the same attitude as before.”

Should Pro’s Cafe lose then the victor of the group’s other game between Port Authority of Thailand and Wuhan Dilong will take their place in the last four, while a draw will be enough for the latter to progress.

Port Authority edged NSW Thunder 6-5 on Monday and coach Udom Taveesuk is under no illusions as to the importance of the game.

“For the game tomorrow we need the points and they also need points,” he said.

“It will be a difficult game but we hope get chances.”

The only defeat Wuhan have suffered at the tournament so far came while player-coach Li Xin was suspended and he hopes his influence on the pitch can once again inspire his side to victory.

“When I am playing I am able to see things you cannot see from the bench. I then pass this information to my two assistant coaches,” he said.

“The Thai team are strong and we will take the game very seriously and will try our best to win.”

This means that NSW cannot make the finals. With Dilong on six points and NSW only capable of getting six points from their remaining matches, if they both end up with six points, the Chinese champions would qualify due to the 4-3 win over NSW on match day 1.

Unfortunately, Jamie and the boys are now playing for pride alone, but it will be nice to see how they stack up against the teams from Thailand and Lebanon over the next two days.

With the Internet playing games, looks like it will be some delayed coverage :( Of course the Internet came back as the match finished. Here is the blow-by-blow.

20:00 – Spathis, Lockhart, Zeballos, Maloney and Alpkaya are the starting five. Ragomo is still injured and Vasile is the other non-starter.

19:53 – The small but vocal crowd are calling “Australi-Yaaaaaaaah, Australi-ya.” About 25 on hand so far. The Chinese team Wuhan Dilong are looking on intently as if they defeat Port Authority tomorrow, they will amazingly top the group after beating Al Sadd today.

18:57 – The first shot in anger come from Port who force Spathis into a good low down save which he holds well.

18:10 – GOAL PORT (1-0) After a neat turn in the centre of the pitch, the left post comes to NSW’s rescue, but as the team scampers to close down the ball, it is returned to the back post and finally forced home by Taengtung.

17:48 – GOAL PORT (2-0) From a kick-in Alpkaya’s body gets in the way of the pass aimed at Taengtung on back post. Unfortunately, his intervention turns the ball into his own net.

17:36 – GOAL NSW (1-2) Alpkaya answers immediately as his shot from 8m

17:25 – Wright’s is on for Maloney and his first shot is touched around the post to stop the Thunder from restoring parity.

16:39 – GOAL NSW (2-2) Lockhart brings the Aussies back level with a shot side on the left that the keeper fails to hold on to.

16:04 – Vizzari’s turn to have a shot pushed away by Hamaitree in the Port goal.

14:56 – FOUL AUS (1-0) It takes until the fourth minute for the first foul to be registered.

13:30 – Wetney is into the action for Zeballos closely followed by Issa for Lockhart.

11:10 – Port break again with the attack just unable to get to the ball as it slipped past the back post.

10:02 – Spathis puts a leg out well to deny Tanakorn at the near post.

9:14 – FOUL NSW (3-0) Wetney grabs his opponent after losing the ball.

8:40 – FOUL PORT (1-3) NSW get their first foul 11m from the Port goal. Could be danger if Wright gets a hold of it.

8:38 – GOAL NSW (3-2) I think it’s the first time NSW have led in the tournament. Wetney is on hand to bang home the Wright free kick at the back post.

7:19 – Eamchalard become the first one into the referee’s book for failing to retire the five metres on a NSW attacking kick in.

6:39 – Both Lockhart and Zeballos go close for NSW. They are now holding sway as the first half starts to draw to a close.

4:52 – The woodwork saves NSW from going back level as a turnover and counter attack from Port sees Eamchalard hit the outside of the right post from eight metres.

3:10 – Wetney executes a great stepover then nutmegs Madyalan to hit Alpkaya’s feet. The chipped shot beats the keeper but is not quite on target.

2:41 – Vizzari sees yellow for two off ball incidents it seems from the referee’s body language.

2:15 – FOUL NSW (4-1) Alpkaya is just a little too eager in the Port back third.

1:42 – Eamchalard is once again not quite quick enough to tuck the ball into the net at the back post from Port’s cross pass and NSW call a time out.

1:22 – Spathis to the rescue again as he foils the one on one. Then saves from the resulting corner.

0:59 – FOUL NSW (5-1) Spathis is next in the book for a slide tackle. As a ref calling “but I got the ball ref” still makes me laugh. From the free kick it’s another superb save. Too bad he’ll be suspended for the last match.

0:47 – FOUL PORT (2-5) Wetney is adjudged to have been fouled by the Port keeper.

HALF-TIME

NSW Thunder [AUS] 3 (Alpkaya 3′, Lockhart 3′, Wetney 12′)

Port Authority [THA] 2 (Taengtung 2′, 3′)

Fouls: NSW Thunder 5-2

Time outs: NSW Thunder 19′

Cautions: Eamchalard (POR) 13′, Vizzari (NSW) 18′, Spathis (NSW) 20′

Send Offs: Nil

Second half 20:00 – Vizzari, Lockhart, Wetney and Alpkaya will start the second half with Spathis. A win for the Aussies would also put the Thai team out of the tournament. The crowd is still making plenty of noise and there is dancing in the stands.

19:26 – FOUL NSW (1-0) Alpkaya commits the first foul of the second period with a push.

19:00 – Alpkaya is skinned cold at halfway and Madyalan makes a long run to shoot wide and left.

18:30 – Wetney with another nutmeg opens another opportunity up for Thunder but Hamaitree is up to the task of stopping Vizzari’s shot from wide right.

18:15 – GOAL PORT (3-3) Madyalan’s long range shot manages to get through the NSW lines. Looks like Spathis was unsighted on the shot.

17:40 – GOAL NSW (4-3) Alpkaya is on hand to deflect a goal bound ball through Hamaitree’s legs.

17:29 – FOUL NSW (2-0) Wetney with an ankle tap.

17:00 – FOUL PORT (2-1) Wetney’s turn to be thrown to ground.

16:47 – FOUL NSW (3-1) Alpkaya’s run at the GK does not pull up in time. He runs into the keeper giving away the foul.

15:51 – FOUL PORT (3-2) Alpkaya’s turn to be run into and gain a foul.

14:24 – and the Thai’s are throwing caution to the wind. It’s a fifth man play already. This will be a good test of the Thunder defence.

13:45 – FOUL PORT (3-3) Tanakorn handles to break up a counter attack and earns a yellow for his trouble.

11:47 – It’s been frantic. Wetney had a call for a push

11:17 – GOAL PORT (4-4) Taengtung, unmarked at the back post manages to somehow manages to tap the ball across the face of goal instead of in it. Spathis thinks he has stopped it on the line, but the referee on the goal line awards the goal.

10:24 – Some good hassling defence from Lockhart almost puts the Thunder back in front but his deflection sails wide.

8:57 – Tintawee is stopped twice by Spathis point blank. The Australian #1 is having a whale of a game.

7:48 – TIME OUT Port Authority

6:09 – After making about four saves to various men wide on the left, Spathis is finally beaten only for the left post to save the Thunder from falling behind.

5:58 – FOUL PORT (4-3) Spathis is bowled over a tad late.

5:05 – GOAL PORT (5-4) Port regain the lead as the fifth man stretches the NSW defence a little too far. The ball comes back to the top of the “D” and is side footed into an empty net by Panyateerawong

3:46 – TIME OUT NSW Thunder

3:15 – Vizzari is almost on the end of a Zeballos cross but the ball is deflected for a corner. From the corner Vizzari is almost on the end of a zeballos cross but nod over.

2:29 – GOAL NSW (5-5) The fifth man experiment finally works against Port as Spathis punts it the length to score. Zeballos was in the space up top but was not needed.

1:21 – GOAL PORT (6-5) Once again the defence is stretched and played into the back post where Wetney is too far away to make the stop.

0:45 – and Vizzari is on as fifth man.

0:19 – Vizzari’s strike is pushed out of the top corner by Hamaitree

FULL TIME

NSW Thunder [AUS] 5 (Alpkaya 3′ 23′, Lockhart 3′, Wetney 12′, Spathis 38′)

Port Authority [THA] 6 (Taengtung 2′ 29′ 39′, Alpkaya (own goal) 3′, Madlayan 22′, Panyateerawong 35′)

Fouls: Port Authority 4-3

Time outs: Port Authority 33′, NSW Thunder 37′

Cautions: Eamchalard (POR) 13′, Vizzari (NSW) 18′, Spathis (NSW) 20′, Tanakorn (POR) 27′

Send Offs: Nil