Sunday March 14, 2010 8:15 pm

Top Class Futsal On Show At Grand Finals Night (QLD)

Brisbane Magic Futsal successful first season has come to an end

Brisbane Magic Futsal’s hugely successful first season has come to an end with Grand Finals night on show last Tuesday night.

Brisbane Roar’s young fullback, Ivan Franjic, who has represented Victoria at National Futsal level, was on hand to witness some great Futsal being played and also to present the trophies and medals to the teams.

Of the 10 Grand Finals on show, there were quite a few stand out matches, but one will live long in the memory with the Under 11 / 12 match between the Taipans and Green Machine ending on a penalty shootout. The scores were locked at 1-1 at full time and 2-2 at the end of extra time with Taipans winning the first ever Brisbane Magic Futsal penalty shootout 3-1.

Championship Grand Final Results;

Under 6 /7: Atomic Bombs def Titans 4-3
Under 9: Gladiators def Easts Super Tigers 4-2
Under 10: Easts Tigers def Wolverines 6-3
Under 11 / 12: Taipans def Green Machine 2-2 (3-1 on penalties)
Under 13 / 14: White Wonders def FBI 4-2
Open A: AFC def Golden Star FC 7-2
Open B: UNunited def The Oldies 3-2

Bowl Grand Finals:

Under 6 /7: Chargers def Easts Fire Dragons 6-4
Under 11 / 12: Sharpshooters def Goalbusters 4-2
Under 13 / 14: Colmslie Chix def Un-Real Madrid 9-2

Playoff Results:

Under 6 / 7: Destroyers def Team Up 4-3 and Wynnum Guardians def Robots 3-1
Under 9: Kangaroos def Battle Droids 6-0
Under 10: Red Bulls def The Apprentices 3-2
Under 11 / 12: Young Guns def Fusion 6-2 and Ice Cubes def White Stars 9-5
Under 13 / 14: TTTT’s def Wolves 4-3 and Eagles def Sea Eagles 5-4
Open A: Fireflies def Feensters 8-1
Open B: Allsorts def Not Quite Soccer 6-0

Brisbane Magic Futsal wishes to thank all the players, coaches, managers, referees, volunteers and parents for their support. We look forward to another eventful season later in the year.

Sunday March 14, 2010 8:09 pm

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.

Sunday March 14, 2010 8:00 pm

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:

Futsal Premier League Player of the Year went to both Danny Martinez (left) and Ben Lawson

Futsal Premier League Player of the Year went to both Danny Martinez (left) and Ben Lawson

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)

LeagueAwardIndividual WinnerClub
Super League12 Boys PremiersUTS Barcelona FC
Super League12 Boys ChampionsUTS Barcelona FC
Super League14 Boys PremiersUTS Barcelona FC
Super League14 Boys ChampionsSutherland Shire
Super League16 Boys PremiersSouth Coast Taipans
Super League16 Boys ChampionsWest City Crusaders
Super League12 Girls PremiersEnfield Rovers
Super League12 Girls ChampionsBoomerang FS
Super League14 Girls PremiersBreakers FC
Super League14 Girls ChampionsBreakers FC
Super League16 Girls PremiersBreakers FC
Super League16 Girls ChampionsBreakers FC
Super LeagueWomen PremiersBotany Bay Pirates
Super LeagueWomen ChampionsBotany Bay Pirates
Super LeagueYouth Men PremiersMaccabi
Super LeagueYouth Men ChampionsMaccabi
Super LeagueMen PremiersMaccabi
Super LeagueMen ChampionsMaccabi
Premier League12 Boys PremiersCommodores FCB
Premier League12 Boys ChampionsCommodores FCB
Premier League14 Boys PremiersInner West Allstars
Premier League14 Boys ChampionsWestern Raiders
Premier League16 Boys PremiersInner West Allstars
Premier League16 Boys ChampionsCampbelltown City Quake
Premier League12 Girls PremiersCampbelltown City Quake
Premier League12 Girls ChampionsCampbelltown City Quake
Premier League14 Girls PremiersInner West Allstars
Premier League14 Girls ChampionsInner West Allstars
Premier League16 Girls PremiersInner West Allstars
Premier League16 Girls ChampionsMascot Vipers
Premier LeagueWomen PremiersCampbelltown City Quake
Premier LeagueWomen ChampionsSydney City Eagles
Premier LeagueYouth Men PremiersInner West Allstars
Premier LeagueYouth Men ChampionsInner West Allstars
Premier LeagueMen PremiersInner West Allstars
Premier LeagueMen ChampionsCampbelltown City Quake
Super LeagueClub ChampionsEnfield Rovers
Premier LeagueClub ChampionsInner West Allstars
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearGlen ErringtonAPIA Leichhardt Tigers
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearSamantha MasonBoomerangs F.S.
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearWanda CliffordBotany Bay Pirates
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearShane WatsonBreakers Futsal Club
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearHilary CoolicanEnfield Rovers
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearIan FlowerGreater Western Sydney Vikings
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearBojan RadmiloLiverpool Fusion
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearMarco PinMaccabi Hakoah Futsal
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearChris CowleyNorthern Tigers
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearJim ApostolovskiSutherland Shire Futsal
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearPetria McGoldrickSouth Coast Taipans
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearTony LaspatzisWest City Crusaders
Super LeagueClub Person of the YearVesna RistevskiUTS Barcelona FC
Premier LeagueClub Person of the YearJeannette GilliganCampbelltown City Quake
Premier LeagueClub Person of the YearBob JennerCommodores FCB
Premier LeagueClub Person of the YearJames BrackenrigInner West Allstars
Premier LeagueClub Person of the YearAlan GarlickMascot Vipers
Premier LeagueClub Person of the YearAlysse TasevskiSydney Benfica FC
Premier LeagueClub Person of the YearJan BreckenridgeSydney City Eagles
Premier LeagueClub Person of the YearAldo LiemichWestern Raiders
Premier LeagueClub Person of the YearNatalie Anyon-SmithDural Warriors
RefereesYoung Referee of the YearMeni BelkadiMario Mazzeo Award
RefereesReferee of the YearRoger Lee
Super LeagueCoach of the YearSteve KnightMaccabi Hakoah Futsal
Premier LeagueCoach of the YearSam GalayiniWestern Raiders
Super LeagueGK of the Year 12 BoysAdam FaulknerSouth Coast Taipans
Super LeagueGK of the Year 12 GirlsJessica UrquhartEnfield Rovers
Super LeagueGK of the Year 14 BoysStephen SpirouAPIA Leichhardt Tigers
Super LeagueGK of the Year 14 GirlsEmily EveSutherland Shire
Super LeagueGK of the Year 16 BoysDaniel RakvinEnfield Rovers
Super LeagueGK of the Year 16 GirlsSarah Veli-GoldUTS Barcelona
Super LeagueGK of the Year Youth MenLloyd FerminoSouth Coast Taipans
Super LeagueGK of the Year WomenSimone BatemanGreater Western Sydney Vikings
Super LeagueGK of the Year MenJoshua CollinsSutherland Shire
Premier LeagueGK of the Year 12 BoysDominic BreckenridgeSydney City Eagles
Premier LeagueGK of the Year 12 GirlsChloe AvgoustouMascot Vipers
Premier LeagueGK of the Year 14 BoysBlake Tuxford & Jayden DiaconoSydney City Eagles & Commodores FCB
Premier LeagueGK of the Year 14 GirlsShamiran KhamisWestern Raiders
Premier LeagueGK of the Year 16 BoysMitchell GonzalezWestern Raiders
Premier LeagueGK of the Year 16 GirlsCassandra Nader & Ava AcevedoMascot Vipers & Dural Warriors
Premier LeagueGK of the Year Youth MenWayne EstevaoSydney Benfica
Premier LeagueGK of the Year WomenMichelle DingwallCommodores FCB
Premier LeagueGK of the Year MenPeter AkersWestern Raiders
Super LeagueGolden Boot 12 BoysBai AntoniouUTS Barcelona FC
Super LeagueGolden Boot 12 GirlsCaitlin MurphyEnfield Rovers
Super LeagueGolden Boot 14 BoysDean BereveskosUTS Barcelona FC
Super LeagueGolden Boot 14 GirlsKristina JaneskaSouth Coast Taipans
Super LeagueGolden Boot 16 BoysLucas Rossi + Cristian CiampaWest City Crusaders
Super LeagueGolden Boot 16 GirlsSarah RogerBreakers FC
Super LeagueGolden Boot Youth MenTroy RuthvenSutherland Shire
Super LeagueGolden Boot WomenKimberley PopeGWS Vikings
Super LeagueGolden Boot MenJoseph FotiEnfield Rovers
Premier LeagueGolden Boot 12 BoysRichard DarkoCommodores FCB
Premier LeagueGolden Boot 12 GirlsRhianna PollicinaWestern Raiders
Premier LeagueGolden Boot 14 BoysBruno AntelmiSydney City Eagles
Premier LeagueGolden Boot 14 GirlsShayna KilleyDural Warriors
Premier LeagueGolden Boot 16 BoysDaniel VellonioCampbelltown City Quake
Premier LeagueGolden Boot 16 GirlsDoris OsmanMascot Vipers
Premier LeagueGolden Boot Youth MenRhys Giovenali + Shervin AdeliDural Warriors + Inner West Allstars
Premier LeagueGolden Boot WomenStephanie HaimCampbelltown City Quake
Premier LeagueGolden Boot MenYavuz EkinciMascot Vipers
Super League12 Boys POYBai AntoniouUTS Barcelona
Super League12 Girls POYCaitlin MurphyEnfield Rovers
Super League14 Boys POYDean BereveskosUTS Barcelona
Super League14 Girls POYKristina JaneskaSouth Coast Taipans
Super League16 Boys POYCristian CiampaWest City Crusaders
Super League16 Girls POYSarah RogerBreakers
Super LeagueYouth Men POYIbrahim KeremEnfield Rovers
Super LeagueWomen POYEllen WheatleyBreakers
Super LeagueMens POYDaniel FultonMaccabi
Premier League12 Boys POYRichard DarkoCommodores FCB
Premier League12 Girls POYRhianna PollicinaWestern Raiders
Premier League14 Boys POYPeter MakrillosSydney City Eagles
Premier League14 Girls POYAmy HarrisonSydney City Eagles
Premier League16 Boys POYWade GiovenaliDural Warriors
Premier League16 Girls POYDoris OsmanMascot Vipers
Premier LeagueYouth Men POYAaron CimitileSydney City Eagles
Premier LeagueWomen POYFabiana PerfilioSydney City Eagles
Premier LeagueMens POYBen Lawson + Danny MartinezDural Warriors + Campbelltown City Quake

Saturday March 13, 2010 10:39 am

Tasmania State Futsal Trials – North

Two dates announced for the junior age group trials

State trial times and age groups for the North of Tasmania are below.

The chosen players will begin training in August for the National Futsal Championships held in Syndey, January 2011.

Players are to attend both trials for their age group, otherwise their chance of selection will be lowered.

If you are 15 years of age or older, and you are interested in being selected to represent Tasmania, please contact Will on the number below.

Sunday 25th April – Don College, Devonport

8.00am – U/10 boys and girls
9.15am – U/11 boys and girls
10.30am – U/12 boys and girls
11.45am – U/13 boys
1.00pm – U/13 girls
2.15pm – U/14 boys and girls

Sunday 2nd May – Don College, Devonport

8.00am – U/10 boys and girls
9.15am – U/11 boys and girls
10.30am – U/12 boys and girls
11.45am – U/13 boys
1.00pm – U/13 girls
2.15pm – U/14 boys and girls

For all information on selections and Nationals, or Futsal in the North; please contact Will Gee – 0447 335 431

Wednesday March 10, 2010 8:00 pm

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.

The team captains. Click for a larger version

The team captains. Click for a larger version

Adrian Vizzari Free Kick. Click for a larger version

Adrian Vizzari Free Kick. Click for a larger version

Zeballos hits the post. Click for a larger version

Zeballos hits the post. Click for a larger version

Wednesday March 10, 2010 7:51 pm

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.

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

Wednesday March 10, 2010 7:34 pm

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!!

Wednesday March 10, 2010 6:12 pm

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.

Wednesday March 10, 2010 6:09 pm

Futsal refs benefit from international exposure (AFC)

Positive report on how the referees have gone in the AFC Club Championship

The referees have so far performed well in the AFC Futsal Club Championship and can only improve with more international exposures, believes AFC Elite Futsal referee instructor Adel Shatti.

“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.

Wednesday March 10, 2010 8:43 am

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.”

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