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.

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.”

Pro’s Cafe coach Rabih Abou Chaaya will not let the permutations that could see his side progress to the AFC Futsal Club Championship semi-finals enter his thoughts prior to their final Group B game with NSW Thunder on Tuesday .

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.”

And we’ll start with the bad news. Al Sadd were beaten by Wuhan Dilong 11-6 in the first game of the day. It seemed that they were conserving a little for the semi-finals which they are already qualified for.

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

NSW Thunder coach Jamie Amendolia is hopeful Solomon Islands star Elliot Ragomo is back from injury for their do-or-die AFC Futsal Club Championship clash with Port Authority of Thailand on Monday.

The Australians have lost to both Chinese side Wuhan Dilong and Qataris Al Sadd to leave them bottom of the table and the only Group B side yet to register a point.

NSW Thunder need to win their two remaining games and hope other results go in their favour if they are to have a chance of reaching the last four and Amendolia believes the return of Ragomo would provide a major boost to his side.

“Hopefully we will have Elliot back,” he said. “He is a player that can create many opportunities and to lose your most influential player, it makes a big difference.

“We are still confident that we can come out from the next two games and perform very well.

“Our aim is to continue to play as we have played and we will see how we go in the next two games.”

Port Authority also need three points to stay in the hunt for one of the top two places having drawn one and lost one of their two games so far.

After a late Suchin Eamchalard goal secured a 3-3 draw against Pro’s Cafe of Lebanon, the Thais lost 6-2 to Al Sadd on Saturday and coach Udom Taveesuk believes his side need to learn to make the most of their chances.

“Against Al Sadd we lost many chances so we must think and plan again as we need the points,” he said.

“We will make sure we are prepared, we missed a lot of chances and we need to correct this.

“We need three points from the next match and that is what we will aim to get.”

Al Sadd became the first team at the AFC Futsal Club Championship to secure their place in the semi-finals and coach Fabiano Ribeiro has now turned his attention to claiming first place with a win over Wuhan Dilong.

“We came to Esfahan hoping to play well at this tournament,” he said.

“We knew it would be hard but I think now we can play well against the Chinese team and get first place.

“I always look to make sure we can have the best performance but we have some problems in the team like yellow cards and so to avoid suspensions for the semi-finals I will have a think right up to the start of the match and then decide who I will play.”

Wuhan team manager Sun Junmin wants his players not to put additional pressure on themselves by thinking of securing three points.

“I will tell all the players not to take the result into too much consideration,” he said.

“They just need to play well and do their best and not think about winning or losing.”

Thanks again to Damian Briggs for supplying all of the photos from the AFC Club Championships. Below are a few that haven’t been published as yet…

Update  7/3/2010 : More pics added

The Qataris dominated the first half to head into the break with a 6-1 lead and despite a spirited revival from their opponents in the second half, their ability told as they strengthened their place at the top of Group B.

Al Sadd opened the scoring after four minutes through Kamyab Zahir before extending their lead when Mohssein Amro’s clever through ball enabled Errahmouni Bilal to chip home.

NSW Thunder fell further behind in the ninth minute when Bilal’s fancy footwork drew keeper Peter Spathis into committing a foul on the edge of the area and Xavier Rodrigo hit the resultant free-kick into the roof of the net.

The Australians were still creating chances and should have pulled a goal back after 13 minutes but Adrian Vizzari shot over before his vicious strike was palmed away by Faraj Rashid.

But for all their attacking endeavour they were always in danger of being caught out in defence and so it proved with three minutes of the half remaining when Zahir rolled the ball into the empty net from Mohammed Al Kubaisi’s pass.

The Australians pulled one back soon after through Christopher Zeballos but Al Sadd responded immediately with strikes from Bilal and Al Kubaisi to make it 6-1 at the break.

NSW Thunder came out fighting after the restart and immediately scored when Mustafa Alpkaya swept home before he grabbed another in the 26th minute to give the Australians hope.

But their chances of a revival were ended when Zahir converted a direct free-kick with seven minutes remaining before Rodrigo’s audacious lob from his own half nestled in the back of NSW Thunder’s net.

The Australians clearly tired in the final few minutes and Al Sadd added further goals from Al Kubaisi, Ebrahim Al Najjar and Zahir to complete the rout.

Al Sadd coach Fabiano Ribeiro said “This score line was very good for us but it doesn’t really represent the game itself and how difficult it was to beat the Australian team.

NSW Thunder coach Jamie Amendolia admitted the glaring difference between a professional futsal side and an amateur one was there for all to see.

“I think today we played against a very good team,” he said.

“We can see the difference between a team that plays in a professional league and a team that is amateur. There is a big difference in skill, speed and intensity.”

Amendolia went on to say “When we came out in the second half we played well, it was only towards the end when we pushed for goals that we conceded.”

NSW Thunder has two rest days before its round three match with Pro’s Café

Match Stats

Teams

NSW Thunder: 1. Peter Spathis (c), 6. Robert Issa, 9. Chris Zaballos, 10. Adrian Vizzari, 20. Lachlan Wright
Subs: 2. Dylan Maloney, 4. Rhys Giovenali, 7. Dean Lockhart, 11. Ediz Alpkaya, 12. Jack Wetney, 13. Roberto Maiorana (GK), 17. Danny Martinez

Al-Sadd: 15. Rashid Alnuaimi, 7. Mohd Al-Kubaisi, 10. Rodrigo D Rocha, 16. Ebrahim Abdullahi, 18. Amro Abdelaal.
Subs: 1. Ciz Vladimir (GK), Hamed Al-Ahbabi, 6. Ahmad Al-Hashemi, 9. Zahir Kamyba, 11. Ebrihim Al-Najjar, 13. Errahmouni Bilal, 20. Nawaf Al-Hajri

Goals

Al-Saad: Zahir Kamyab 5’, 17’, 33’ 40’, Errahmouni Bilal 8’, 19’, Rodrigo D Rocha 10’, 35’, Mohd Al-Kubaisi 20’, 38’, Ebrihim Al-Najjar
NSW Thunder: Ediz Alpkaya 23’, 26’, Chris Zaballos 19’

Stadium: Pirouzi Stadium, Esfahan Iran

Crowd: 100 approx.

Al Sadd coach Fabiano Ribeiro feels the all round performance from his side in the 11-3 AFC Futsal Club Championship victory over NSW (New South Wales) Thunder is the level he is expecting in their remaining two group games.

The Qataris dominated for large spells of the game at Pirouzi Stadium with their superior skill and ability proving too much for their Australian opponents.

The win was their second in as many games and puts them firmly on target for a place in the last four of the tournament.

And though Ribeiro was delighted with the display from his side, he stressed the score line did not truly reflect the ability of NSW Thunder.

“I am very happy again,” said Ribeiro.

“This score line was very good for us but it doesn’t really represent the game itself and how difficult it was to beat the Australian team.

“I am very satisfied with the performance because on Thursday we did not have a good first half (against Pro’s Cafe) but today they concentrated very well.”

NSW Thunder coach Jamie Amendolia admitted the glaring difference between a professional futsal side and an amateur one was there for all to see.

“I think today we played against a very good team,” he said.

“We can see the difference between a team that plays in a professional league and a team that is amateur. There is a big difference in skill, speed and intensity.”

Despite the result – their second successive defeat after losing to Chinese side Wuhan Dilong on Thursday – Amendolia believes NSW Thunder still have every chance of achieving a top-two spot.

“There were periods when I was very happy with the side,” he added.

“When we came out in the second half we played well, it was only towards the end when we pushed for goals that we conceded.

“In the first half, apart from the last five to six minutes where we had a lapse in concentration, we competed with them.

“But we offer no excuses for the game. We were beaten by a much better side.”

Al Sadd continued their perfect start to the inaugural AFC Futsal Club Championship with an emphatic 11-3 win over NSW Thunder at Pirouzi Stadium on Friday.

The Qataris dominated the first half to head into the break with a 6-1 lead and despite a spirited revival from their opponents in the second half, their ability told as they strengthened their place at the top of Group B.

Al Sadd opened the scoring after four minutes through Kamyab Zahir before extending their lead when Mohssein Amro’s clever through ball enabled Errahmouni Bilal to chip home.

NSW Thunder fell further behind in the ninth minute when Bilal’s fancy footwork drew keeper Peter Spathis into committing a foul on the edge of the area and Xavier Rodrigo hit the resultant free-kick into the roof of the net.

The Australians were still creating chances and should have pulled a goal back after 13 minutes but Adrian Vizzari shot over before his vicious strike was palmed away by Faraj Rashid.

But for all their attacking endeavour they were always in danger of being caught out in defence and so it proved with three minutes of the half remaining when Zahir rolled the ball into the empty net from Mohammed Al Kubaisi’s pass.

The Australians pulled one back soon after through Christopher Zeballos but Al Sadd responded immediately with strikes from Bilal and Al Kubaisi to make it 6-1 at the break.

NSW Thunder came out fighting after the restart and immediately scored when Mustafa Alpkaya swept home before he grabbed another in the 26th minute to give the Australians hope.

But their chances of a revival were ended when Zahir converted a direct free-kick with seven minutes remaining before Rodrigo’s audacious lob from his own half nestled in the back of NSW Thunder’s net.

The Australians clearly tired in the final few minutes and Al Sadd added further goals from Al Kubaisi, Ebrahim Al Najjar and Zahir to complete the rout.

Vikings Futsal have today named a squad of 20 women selected from the January National Championships. This squad will be cut back to 12 in time for the 2010 Women’s World Cup. Presently scheduled to be played in Argentina this October.

Vikings CEO, Mr Alistair Miller said in selecting the squad, importance was put on fitness as much as ability, as high levels are necessary at international level.

The next year will be big year women’s Futsal in Australia. The schedule includes;

• Training Camp in Coffs Harbour – 16th – 18th April 2010
• Inaugural Trans Tasman Cup v New Zealand 12th to 14th June 2010
• Training Camp 3 Sydney – 9th – 11th July 2010
• Women’s World Cup Argentina or France October 2010
• Women’s Asian tournament Kuala Lumpar October 2010
• State of Origin Series – Sydney 27th – 28th November 2010
• Premier Leagues held in all states – 1st October 2010 – 28th February 2011

2011

• National Championships 2011 – Sydney – January 8-12th
• First Round Dal Ponte National League Sydney – 22nd – 24th April 2011

In 2011 will see the home and away Dal Ponte National League for Men and Women kick off. A release for the league will occur in October.

On top off the national programme, the men’s and women’s champions from the National Championships have been invited to compete at the USA nationals in Los Angeles this July.

For any enquiries regarding the programme email viking@vikingsfutsal.net

2010 National Womens Squad which will be cut back to 12 is

Goalkeepers

Tani Rosekelly, Britt Hargreaves, Serena Coyneham, Amanda Horafios

Court Players

Nichole Laws, Clare Tyson, Kahlee Doyle, Jenna Kingsley, Kate Lutkins, Vedrana Popovic, Monnique Kofoed, April Mann, Joanne Burgess, Jasmin Kent, Alicia Ferguson, Sarah Amorin, Katrina Gorry, Fabiana Perfilio, Stephanie Ascone, Renee Tomkins.