With two weeks to go until the OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009, defending champions Solomon Islands have stepped up preparations in their bid to secure back-to-back victories at the prestigious event.

The round-robin competition involving Fiji, New Caledonia, the Kurukuru from Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, is set to take place from 6-10 July at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, Fiji.

Solomon Islands will go into the championship as hot favourites with 11 of their 12 squad members being part of the 2008 winning team that went on to represent Oceania at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil last year.

Recently appointed head coach Dickson Kadau says his players have undergone intensive training in recent weeks.

“We train six days a week and the focus areas in our sessions are mainly on speed, strength and the team’s defense,” said Kadau.

The Kurukuru side has also received a huge boost from Scott Gilligan, ‘Win in Oceania’ Project Manager for Futsal, who has spent time in the Solomon Islands this month working closely with the team.

“The boys have improved a lot from where they were during the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil,” said the former Australian futsal international who has also coached the Australia national men’s side.

“When I came to Honiara early this year for a futsal coaching course under the ‘Win in Oceania’ development programme, I left a training plan with them and what I’ve seen is incredible progress.”

The OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 marks the sixth time Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has staged the event. Since its inception in 1992, the championships have been held every four years as part of the qualification process for the FIFA Futsal World Cup tournaments.

Fiji 2009 marks the first year of the new annual format for the championship which shows OFC’s commitment to developing futsal by providing regular competition for Oceania’s top teams.

The popularity of futsal – an indoor form of football played with five players per side and a weighted ball – continues to grow throughout the region as a number of OFC’s eleven member associations start to develop domestic competitions to support the game.

EXTRA INFORMATION:

OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 – Official Teams Lists

FIJI

1. Asmat BEGG
2. Mira SAHIB
3. Sandeep NAIR
4. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR
5. Shivam NATHAN
6. Mohammed SHALMEEN
7. Joseph MISHRA
8. Aisea Dauivalu CODRO
9. Kamal HASSAN
10. Uraia Raimulo LOKI
11. Osea VAKATALESAU
12. Simione Moce TAMANISAU

Coach: Imtiaz KHAN
Assistant Coach: Melvin ANAND

NEW CALEDONIA

1. Ronan EUZEN (GK)
2. Jerry IARUEL
3. Adrien GUILLAMO
4. Louis WAISHITINE
5. Anderson PAULIN
6. Cédrick HUMUNI
7. Rodrigue Poiwi
8. Ismaël TCHOVAMILI
9. Christophe WHOAP
10. Loïc CAUNES
11. Ivann POUROUORO
16. Arnaud LLAMBRICH (GK)

Coach: Eric MICHALAK
Assistant Coach: Alexandre WEMA

SOLOMON ISLANDS

1. Alick LIOKA (GK)
2. Philip HOUTARAU
3. Elliot RAGOMO
4. Paul HUIA
5. Jenan KAPU
6. Moffat SIKWA’AE
7. James EGETA
8. Francis LAFAI
9. Micah LEA’ALAFA
10. Stanley PUAIRANA (GK)
11. Ron GINIO
12. Jack WETNEY
Coach: Dickson KADAU
Assistant Coach: Jerry SAM

VANUATU

1. Daniel MANSALE (GK)
2. Reynold ABEL
3. Don MANSALE
4. Marco Andre Junior HERROMINLY
5. Lui SIFAS
6. Terry QUARE
7. Ben HUNGAI
8. Louis DOMINIQUE
9. Junior MALAS
10. Vira Jack ALA
11. Ben EDWARD
23. Pascal PALA (GK)

Coach: Marco HERROMINLY
Assistant Coach: Marcellino BARTHELEMY

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Priscilla Duncan
Oceania Football Confederation
Media & Communications
T: +649 526 5651
F: +649 525 8164
M:+64 (0)21 884 018
E: priscilla@oceaniafootball.com

Joel Tiller
Oceania Football Confederation
Media & Communications
T: +649 526 5654
F: +649 525 8164
M:+64 (0)21 994 520
E: joel@oceaniafootball.com

Trials for 2009/10 Football NSW Futsal State Super League Competition.

Venue: Ashfield Boys High School, 117 Liverpool Rd, Ashfield (Entrance via Wests Leagues car park)

Enfield is looking for exciting and talented futsal players to trial for the following age groups;

12 Boys, 14 Boys, 16 Boys, Youth, Men’s,
12 Girls, 14 Girls, 16 Girls and Women’s

The dates and times of the trials are as follows:

Monday 29th June
12 Girls …………………6.00 – 7.00pm
14 Girls …………………7.00 – 8.00pm

Monday 6th July, 13th July
12 Girls, 14 Girls……….6.00 – 7.00pm
16 Girls and Women’s…7.00 – 8.00pm

Thursday 2nd and 9th July
14 Boys………………….6.00 – 7.00pm
12 Boys………………….7.00 – 8.00pm

Monday 20th and 27th July
16 Boys………………….6.00 -7.00pm
Youth (U19)…………….7.00 – 8.00pm

Open Men’s trials please contact Boz 0414 839 874 or Ernie 0433 193 391

If interested in trialing and are unable to make the above dates and times please contact Boz 0414 839 874

Players should arrive a minimum of 15 minutes prior to the commencement of the trial.

Please direct all enquiries to:
Boz Rakvin – 0414 839 874
Or email – info@enfieldroversfutsal.com

Click here for the original flyers for : Boys and Mens Trials and Girls and Womens Trials

Round 14 of the LEGEA Men’s V-League took place on Wednesday night as 12 teams fought for maximum points.

The night began with cellar dwellers McLeod FC (12th) battling to get off the bottom in search of only their second win for the season. They took on a resilient Pascoe Vale FC (8th) side that beat the seemingly invincible Carlton only a week ago.

McLeod started brightly and took the lead as it had in its previous few games but again failed to capitalize on numerous chances. They will need to address this urgently as they head into relegation play-off territory. Pascoe Vale eventually ran out winners 6-4 with young recruit James Danos impressive. The win leaves Pascoe Vale 6 points from the top of the league but only 1 point from safety.

In the nights second game established team FC Melbourne (9th) took on FC Prahran (6th). Melbourne raced out to a 2 goal lead without regular goalkeeper Marcus who was at the MCG watching Australia beat Japan. Prahran Superstar Maxim Avram then called a priceless time out with 3 minutes remaining in the half; Prahran scored three before the interval and followed on in the second half scoring another four unanswered goals leading 7-2 comfortably early in the second half.

FC Melbourne fought back hard in there typical barnstorming style but it wasn’t enough, 8-5 the final score. After a bad run of injuries, results and suspensions, Prahran are back in the mix 6th 3pts off top while FC Melbourne is in unfamiliar relegation territory in 9th.

The nights 3rd game saw Melbourne Uni FC (11th) take on Metropolitan FC (7th). Mid year exams left Melbourne Uni depleted of 4 regular players whilst Metro have had recent problems of there own having to field there coach. Both teams started brightly but Metropolitan’s silky skills saw them through in the end 8-3. Melbourne Uni will surely be planning for relegation playoffs whilst Metro may be the dark horse of this season’s competition.

The hotly anticipated game of the round saw Fitzroy FC (1st) take on FC Essendon(4th) Fitzroy went into the game high on confidence but low on playing stocks with premier league player Ivesic, football superstar Michael Dixon and V-League top scorer James Blackburn absent. Essendon were bitter after losing to Albert Park the week before and goal scoring talisman Alexander Stevanovic misfiring.

The game was an exciting end to end encounter with fouls, backchat and passion as well as some tantalizing Futsal. Essendon called on all their experience to keep Fitzroy at bay and then had some chances of there own. 5-5 in the end was a fair result that makes it very interesting at the top end of the table for both sides.

Scintillating FC Carlton (2nd) took on a wounded Ashburton (5th) after there capitulation against North Melbourne the week before and it didn’t take long before Ashburton took the lead. The green machine (Ashburton) had raced to a two goal lead as Carlton looked tired and sluggish. Carlton’s boy wonder Hooman Shekari came on off the bench and grabbed a few goals but by then Ashburton already had the game wrapped up, 7-4 the final score.

Finally reigning champions North Melbourne FC (3rd) took on a striving Albert Park (10th). North had hit a rich vein of form winning three on the trot, including a tight affair against a stubborn defensive Pascoe Vale, the wise Albert Park seemed to follow suit sitting deep and trying to hit North Melbourne on the counter. North went 2-0 up early but found it difficult to break Albert Park down any further. With a minute to go before half time Albert Park forced a goal out of nothing.

The second half was a tense affair until North Melbourne got the third goal they desperately needed. A nervy finish for the champions, the game ended 3-1, Albert Park perhaps goal-difference conscience. Regardless, round 14’s results leave the ladder as close as you will ever see.

For VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS results and fixtures please head to: http://www.futsaloz.com.au/vleague.html

Round 15 Clashes Wed June 24
• Melbourne Uni FC v FC Essendon KO 6:30
• FC Melbourne v Pascoe Vale FC KO 7:15
• Albert Park FC v FC Carlton KO 8:00
• Fitzroy FC v Nth Melbourne FC KO 8:45
• McLeod FC v Ashburton FC KO 9:30
• Metropolitan FC v FC Prahran KO 10:15

FFAA President, Dave Birch advised that an invitation has been received from the Philippines for the FFAA Womens side to participate in a tournament that is also to involve a side from NZ.

The tournament will be a friendly event, and hopefully will see opportunities open to participate other events during 2010.

Selection of the team to travel will be conducted, and invitations will be sent out for the current FFA Womens team and potential players to attend trials in coming weeks.

Dave also informed that the Philippines ladies team has already been invited to the 2010 FFAA Interstate Club Championship.

As more information becomes available it will be made available on the FFAA website.

MENS INVITATIONAL TO BE HELD WEEKEND 22/23 AUGUST 2009

FFAA President Dave Birch has announced that a Men’s Invitational is to be held at the Coniston Indoor Soccer Centre in August , and is to become an annual event with teams from NSW, NZ and other locations to be invited.

The 2009 event will be open to 10 teams and Dave informs that 7 teams have already confirmed their participation including the NZ side IRAN who are the 2009 FFAA Interstate Club Champions.

Details of the teams to participate will be published on the FFAA website in coming weeks.

The Vikings NZ U/17 boys side will head to Guangzhou, China on August 18th for a 2 week Futsal tour.

This tour will see the side play tournaments in Foshan, with games in Guangzhou and Macau. They will also have the opportunity to be involved with the Guangzhou Chinese National League training and perhaps a game.

Whilst in the region the boys will have the opportunity to visit many of the ancient sites and cultures of China.

Visiting such a diverse culture such as China presents the boys with many challenges such as, language, foods and customs, but is a great opportunity for the boys to learn what it means to be an elite athlete in a foreign country.

Team

Joshua O’Keefe – Canterbury
Marcus Livingstone – Canterbury
Scott McElroy – Canterbury
Trent Wales – Canterbury
Daniel Williamson – Otago
Hayden King – Otago
Alan Craig – Otago
Fraser Hunter – Central Otago
Codey O’Hagan – Central Otago

Paul Wadsworth - Coach
Ann McElroy – Manager/Supporter
David McElroy – Supporter

A Honiara futsal squad had been selected and will be playing friendly matches against the Kurukuru National Futsal Team ahead of the Oceania Futsal Championship in Fiji next month.

The Honiara select are expected to give the Kurukuru the much-needed challenge as they gear up to represent the country with their international duties.

The Honiara Select comprises of famous names in the eleven-a-side game like Commins Menapi, John Iani, Arnold Keni and Jeffery Bule.

In another development, two members of the Kurukuru National Side, Lenson Bisili and Junior Kogua, who played in the Futsal World Cup last year but did not make it to the final squad this year, have been included in the select side.

The Honiara Select will have their first meeting this Wednesday at the Multipurpose Hall starting at 5pm.

All squad members are urged to attend.

The Honiara Select Squad includes – KOSSA’s Junior Koti (Goalkeeper), Brezalona’s Junior Kogua (Goalkeeper), Brezalona’s Robert Laua, Benjamin Keko, Makuru’s Commins Menapi, Koloale’s Jeffery Bule, Marist’s Arnold Keni, Makuru’s John Iani, Brezalona’s Harry Tefi, Makuru’s Dennis, Koloale’s Iani Paia, Marist’s Lension Bisili and Uncles’ Chiris.

The Head Coach is Tony Wale, Assistant Coach Fraz Ramo and Team Manager Obadiah Wale.

Four Timaru teens will represent New Zealand in the Futsal indoor soccer championships in Sydney next year.

Timaru Boys High students James Blatherwick, Brett Clifford and Patrick Hill, and Tymon Bernard from Mountainview High will take part in the trans-Tasman event in which New Zealand will pitch themselves against Australian state and club teams in two sets of championships.

The group will be part of a team of about 50 New Zealand players that make up male and female teams in the game which claims to be the fastest growing sporting activity in Australasia.

“Every season we’re gaining more players and getting really competitive against the Aussies which obviously they don’t like,” said Futsal Vikings New Zealand tours and tournament co-ordinator Rebecca Banfield.

Players can expect up to three games a day in the week-long championship of the fast-paced hardcourt game. Played on a basketball court it has no throw-ins or slide-tackles and according to Ms Banfield, “no one can hide”.

Futsal is a game of 18 minute halves and five aside teams, an indoor scaled-down version of soccer, the boys saying it was to soccer what touch rugby was to rugby.

The players were amazed they had been selected to represent New Zealand in a sport that had got off the ground in Timaru in only October last year, even Hill’s father couldn’t believe it.

“Dad thought it was a joke. Dad actually rang the lady up to see if it was a hoax.”

They believed taking part in the Timaru league meant they were given more of an opportunity with more game time than they would have received elsewhere.

“It’s good playing here because you get more of a chance to shine in a small town,” said Clifford who was one of the players to initiate his own league team.

Timaru Futsal regional development officer Russell King described himself as “tickled pink” at the prospect of the four local boys going to Sydney, despite the league having got off the ground only ten months ago.

The players will fly to Sydney in January for the week-long competition which will decide the Australasian club and state champions.

Bendigo’s two major indoor stadiums will be full of flashing football feet next week when the FFV Schools Futsal State Championships are fought out between boys’ and girls’ school teams from across Victoria.

Football Federation Victoria, Football Central Victoria and the City of Greater Bendigo have teamed up to run the championships.

It’s the first time the tournament will have been played outside metropolitan Melbourne.

The championships will be held at Flora Hill Stadium in Keck Street, and the Schweppes Centre in West Bendigo.

More than 80 teams will be in action across the four days. The action will kick off next Monday and wind up on June 25.

The round-robin competition will conclude with finals each day for the different age groups.

“We are excited about hosting this major junior state championship event in Bendigo,” said Football Central Victoria president Chris Hain.

“We are particularly keen on Futsal because of the excellent development platform it provides to improve skills, enhance decision making under pressure and increase access to the world game for more young (and not so young) players.”

Futsal is the only form of five-a-side football that is officially approved by FIFA.

It’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world and is played in more than 100 countries.

ADSANS – sports/finance detail

The schedule: Monday, June 22: Year 9 and 10 (intermediate) boys and girls. Tuesday, June 23: Year 7 and 8 (junior) boys and girls. Wednesday, June 24: Grade 5 and 6 (primary) boys and girls. Thursday, June 25: Year 11 and 12 (senior) boys and girls.

On a chilly Monday evening at the Sports Halls, Sydney Olympic Park for round five of the Futsal Winter State League.

In the women’s match of the round first placed Just 4 Kicks took on third placed Hachies. The young Hachies were looking to close the gap at the top of the table with some good recent results and got off to a flyer care of two early goals in the first half by R. Fleming and L. Phelps. The two goals came within the space of 2minutes and seemed rock Just 4 Kicks as they were not playing with their usual quick passing game. Just 4 Kick had the odd chance in the first half but A. Horafios we up to the task keeping Just 4 Kicks at bay.

In the Second Half Hachies also began the stronger and extended their lead thanks to L. Phelps getting her double just on 20 minute mark. Just 4 Kicks now had a mountain to climb but when H. Buckingham found the net there was hope for Just 4 Kicks and they started to mount pressure on the young Hachies side. Just 4 kicks then took another step closer when E. Rodopoulos scored to bring them within one goal of a dramatic comeback, but it wasn’t to be and Hachies held on to the victory to move into second place on goal difference while Just 4 kicks lost top spot and dropped to third.

Match Stats

Hachies 3 (R. Fleming 6′, L. Phelps 8′, 20′) def. Just 4 Kicks 2 (H. Buckingham 25′, E. Rodopoulos 31′)

Teams

Hachies: 1. A. Horafios, 2. C. Turner, 3. L. Moore, 4. E. Rugg, 5. N. Hamson, 6. K. Skeoch, 11. L. Phelps, 8. R. Fleming, 9. M Mikhail,10. J Abi Sassine
Just 4 Kicks: 1. A. Oliva, 9. A. Cergovski, 4. H. Buckingham, 7. T. Bartlett, 23. E. Rodopoulos, 2. A. Gauthier
Referees: Paul Jones & Andrew Best

Other Women’s results from the round four …

Sydney City Quake 5 (C. Walsh 7′, 15′, 26′, L. Thomson 33′, B. Cowie 34′) def. Pirates 0
V.I.M 8 (E. Goss 3′, 36′, K. Doyle 9′, 33′, N. Laws 10′, 27′, A. Bowering 19′, 20′) def. Sienna 1 (K. King 28′)
Force 10 4 (S. Scinos 17′, 29′, J. Saliba 16′, D. Caridad 23′) def. Wadey’s Army 0

In the Men’s Action, Pool A saw Pirates entertain Riff Raff, with Pirates knocking of the door of semi finals and Riff Raff looking to improve on some poor recent results. It was a good chance there would be lots of goals to keep the crowd entertained. Pirates started well and took an early lead with a good strike by D. D’Angelo, this stunned Riff Raff to life and the equalized minutes later with T. Pannowitz scored are some nice inter passing that lead to Pannowitz slotting the ball home. Pirates then took the lead 30 seconds later after some poor defending allowed R. Texeira to shoot on the edge of the “D” giving B. Radmilo no chance in the Riff Raff goal. Texeira went close just on the stroke of half only denied by a fine save by Radmilo.

The second half was full of goals as the game see sawed back and forth. Texeira secured his double just after the break with some nice individual skills. Riff Raff never gave in and S. Ardle double in the space of 2 minutes put Riff Raff back level at three all. Unfortunately for Riff Raff this was the kick start Pirates needed and C. Bello put Pirates in the lead after a nice pass by D’Angelo. In the final minutes Texeira completed his hat-trick and extended Pirates lead when he was able to turn and shoot inside the “D”. Riff Raff then pulled a goal back through B. Lam but it was too little too late. Pirates then put the icing on the cake when D’Angelo secured his double and his side sixth to give the Pirates a well deserved victory.

Match Stats

Pirates 6 (D. D’Angelo 7′, 36′, R. Texeira 14′ 20′ 30′, C. Bello 29′) def. Riff Raff 4 (T.Pannowitz 13′ S. Ardle 22′, 24′, B. Lam 32′)

Teams:

Pirates: 1. R. Curmi, 10. D. Dutra, 7. C. Bello, 19. R. Texeira, 26. D. D’Angelo, 2. J. Sorbello
Riff Raff: 1. B. Radmilo, 4. M. Ghobrial, 10. G. Leuzzi, 9. B. Lam, 14. T. Pannowitz, 8. S. Ardle, 15. S. Jahani
Yellow Cards: T. Pannowitz, S. Jahani
Referees: Brendan Wirz & Paul Jones

Other Men’s results from the round four…

Dural Warriors 7 (E, Rumora 11′, 14′, 19′, 27′, M. Koto 29′, 34′, B. Rosier 35′) def. Northern Tigers 4 (S. Doran 1′, 4′, D. Hunter 10′, M. Orlic 36′)
Quake Youth 6 (E. Harihiru 2′, C. Sheerin 6′, 11′, D. Von Dinklage 16′, J. Gilligan 33′, J. Faint 36′) def. Barcelona 1 (M. Farallo 20′)
Enfield Rovers 2 (W. Donato 3′, A. Cole 9′) drew with. Maccabi Maulers 2 (J. Mundell 21′, A. Tow 31′)
Futsal4All vs. Any District – match abandoned in second half

Next week’s round six matches are

7:00pm Siena vs. Sydney City Quake Court One
7:00pm V.I.M vs. Just 4 Kicks Court Two
7:40pm Hachies vs. Wadey’s Army Court One
7:40pm Pirates vs. Force 10 Court Two

8:20pm Pirates vs. Futsal4Pheonix Court Two
9:00pm Barcelona vs. Any District Court One
9:00pm Enfield vs. Northern Tigers Court Two
9:40pm Quake Youth vs. Dural Warriors Court Two
9:40pm Riff Raff vs. Maccabi Maulers Court One (game moved from 8:20pm)