Canberra boys back in the big time in NSW - finally!

Great news for Canberra's boys - they finally have somewhere to test their skills outside of the confines of the local (tiny) boundary.

And it's one of our newest clubs, Boomerangs FC leading the way.

With Canberra FC back in the NSW Cup - okay it's only a limited number of games but it's a start - and now the Boomerangs in the TOP NSW Futsal league finally, finally our boys post-15 might get some opportunities worthy of their developing talents.

And better still this can and will lead to our players lifting their game, with Representative and National Honours bound to come from these players.

Who knows we may see an ACT Futsal boy heading off to play professionally one day.

There's still a lot of work to do in Canberra Boys football - and a Canberra A-League Youth team is critical to our boys opportunities post-15.

Currently the best boys who don't get into ACTAS would be well-advised to follow the Futsal path.

But who knows with Boomerang visionary Eddie Senatore now on the Capital Football Board it may not be too long before we see some changes and impetus in boys outdoor opportunities boys post-15. There hangs a big questions mark over Capital Football's leadership in this area in previous years - and I'm not for a minute suggesting they should run the team - although they seem to be happy to do this for Canberra United. Long-term both Canberra United and any Youth team should be independent of Capital Football. Surely this makes sense!

Anyway times are a changing and with key changes in NSW under direction from the FFA it may not be too long before we have reason for all our Boy's development and HPP programs - currently apart from a bit of fun and money earning I'm not sure of the value the boys get.

Where can they go post 15?

Football Federation Australia has endorsed the F-League and recognize the benefits for Futsal players playing all year round.

The F-League will be played on an International sized court and game will consist of twenty-five minute halves.

This competition is expected to become the development pathway for Futsal players to progress to state and national team honors in NSW.

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Nearpost Poddie: Nix and Roos, ACL and more.

Wellington Phoenix, Asian Champions League, Sydney FC, Melbourne Victory, Socceroos, Matildas, Futsalroo, Adelaide United.

When did we last play the EN Zed, where, and who scored. Answer in the pod.

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Futsalroos Crash

The Futsalroos lost their Quarter Final AFC Asian Cup tie to Thailand 5-2yesterday. Not only are they out of the Asian Cup, they also miss out on the World Cup in Rio in October.

With Coach Scott Gilligan off to Tahiti, and unsure of his Aussie Coaching future, the popular code could be in for a time of further instability.

Still waiting for the FFA to take the organisation of the game to a new level.

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Futsalroos World Cup bid tomorrow

QANTAS FUTSALROOS TO FACE THAILAND FOR WORLD CUP BERTH


The Qantas Futsalroos will face Thailand tomorrow in the quarter finals of the Asian Football Confederation Futsal Championship in Bangkok, where a place at the World Cup will be on the line following Australia's 4-2 loss to Japan in their final Group B match played overnight.

Australia held a 2-0 half time lead against the Japanese with goals to Chris Zeballos and Luke Haydon Wright before succumbing to Asia's number two ranked futsal nation.

The result ensured Japan topped the group with Australia left to face Group A winners and host nation Thailand. The Qantas Futsalroos will go into the match without the services of key players Zeballos and Lachlan Wright who will both be suspended for the crucial encounter.

"In the first half Japan had some chances too but we took ours and they didn't, and in the second-half they took theirs and we didn't," said coach Scott Gilligan after the match.

"We still made some chances and this was a game in the balance throughout. It was unfortunate but that's the way it goes.

“Aussies always have a lot of courage and that was on display in this match with the boys hurting in that second half.

"Certainly our team has grown in stature and I know that while the next game will be tough, we'll be ready."

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

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

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Futsalroos on track for World Cup

QANTAS FUTSALROOS COMMENCE WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN WITH CRUCIAL WIN

And in the second game they beat Chinese Taipei 6-0 today. FFA Release below

QANTAS FUTSALROOS COMMENCE WORLD CUP CAMPAIGN WITH CRUCIAL WIN



The Qantas Futsalroos were forced to come from behind to secure a crucial 3-1 win against Turkmenistan overnight in the opening qualifying match for the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup.

After conceding an early goal Greg Giovenali equalised for Australia to leave the scores level at the interval, before Christopher Zeballos and Adrian Vizzari completed the scoring with second half strikes at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok.

Australia are now well placed to be one of the two teams that will progress to the quarter finals, with group favourites Japan demolishing Chinese Taipei 8-2 in the other Group B match at the Asian Football Confederation Futsal Championship.


"This is our third time at the Asian Championships and we have always lost the first game,” coach Scott Gilligan said. “We lost to Turkmenistan last year - so it was very pleasing to see the boys show great character to come back and win the game."
"I think we can go a bit further but I was very pleased to get the three points because the first game is always the stressful game."

The four semi finalists at the 16 nation tournament will represent Asia at October's FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil. Australia will complete their group fixtures later today against Chinese Taipei and tomorrow against number 2 ranked Asian side Japan.


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

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

Australia’s matches are:
May 11 v Turkmenistan
May 12 v Chinese Taipei
May 13 v Japan

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

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Canberrans aiming for Futsal World Cup

Canberrans Angelo Konstantinou and Trent Flanigan are in Bangkok, for the Futsalroos Asian Futsal Championships which starts on Sunday.

The Futsalroos must reach the Semi's to head to Rio, for the World Cup in October.

Danny Macor has retired and Matt Whyte has been left out, due to injury, non-availability or non-selection.

Interestingly Konstantinou, a keeper, has forced his way back into the squad after Coach Scott Gilligan had told him he was unfit earlier in the year.

Clearly the fitness campaign has paid off.

Anyone who has watched Angelo play indoor will notice the great versatility he brings to any team. At the National Championships in Canberra earlier in the year his own unique style was on show.

And the young kids, and old kids, loved it. His distribution from inside his own half was amazing to watch and gives his team an extra outfield player.

But probably gives his Coach a heart attack!

Anyway good luck to the Aussies and here's hoping they can get through. With the numbers of Aussies playing Futsal here's I'm expecting them to go pretty close to a World Cup birth.

October in Rio doesn't sound so bad does it!

FFA Release:
QANTAS FUTSALROOS TO COMMENCE WORLD CUP JOURNEY


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


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

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

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


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

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

The Qantas Futsalroos squad for the qualifying tournament is:

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

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

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

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

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Canberrans in Futsalroo squad.

With the AFC Futsal tournament coming up in May in Bangkok, Aussie Coach Scott Gilligan called the squad in for training on the weekend.

Canberrans Angelo Kostantinou and Trent Flanigan are in the squad. Matt Whyte is also, although couldn't train this weekend due to injury. Danny Macor has retired from International Futsal.

You can hear a full interview with Futsalroo Coach Scott Gilligan on the Nearpost Radio tonight 6:30pm (if you are in Canberra, or check your local Community station,) with the plans for the Futsalroos over the coming months and why he's off to Tahiti! Poddie available here tomorrow.

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Australian Coach heads overseas.

Oceania 1 Australia 0

And wasn't it supposed to be better for Australian football if we joined Asia.

Futsalroo Coach, Scott Gilligan, is off to Oceania to run their Futsal program. He'll be living in Tahiti!


In a World Cup year, Scott is on the verge of the AFC qualifiers in May in Bangkok, will he combine jobs and stay with the Futsalroos?

"That's up to the FFA, and if people think there is a conflict of interest. I'm on probation with the OFC until the end of May and then it could become permanent from June."

With all the travel this year, a World Cup year, it's perhaps surprising that Mr Futsal has taken up this post. Surprising to me that is.

Anyone who has talked to Scott will know his frustrations at the development of Futsal since the FFA have taken charge. No National League, little development programs and a strong feeling that outdoor, despite the number of Futsal players, takes precedent over the indoor game.

What will the FFA do?

Familiar pattern?

Pim Verbeek appointed late in the day for World Cup qualifiers.
Young Socceroos Coach Steve O'Connor has left for Sydney FC. Will he continue to Coach the Young Socceroos at this years Under 19 AFC tournament? Nobody knows.
And now Scott Gilligan.

A sign of success of Aussie Coaches? A sign of a growing game, more opportunities, or a lack of forsight from within the FFA?

I reckon a combination of all of the above.

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AFC Futsal Championship draw

Australia have been drawn with Turkmenistan, Chinese Taipei and Japan for the tournament to be held in Bangkok, May 11-18.

Top 4 in the tournament qualify for the World Cup later this year in Brazil.

AFC details below.

BANGKOK: Asian futsal kingpins Iran were drawn in an easy group for the 10th edition of the AFC Futsal Championship here in the Thai capital on Friday.

Iran, who will be gunning for their ninth title, were the last to be pulled out of the pot for the 16-team event and placed alongside Central Asian side Tajikistan, China and qualifiers Kuwait in Group D.

Unlike Iran, 2006 champions and last edition’s runners-up Japan will have to negotiate a tricky path to the quarter-finals after being pooled in Group B with Australia, who reached the last eight in Osaka last year, Turkmenistan and Chinese Taipei, who came through after a successful qualification campaign.

Hosts Thailand were slotted in Group A with 2007 semi-finalists Kyrgyzstan, Indonesia and, in a match-up reminiscent of the AFC Asian Cup last year, Iraq.

Uzbekistan, one of the strongest teams in Asia who have figured in the semi-finals of all the editions since 2005, will face vastly improved Lebanon, Korea Republic and qualifiers Malaysia in Group C.

The top-two teams in each group progress to the quarter-finals of the May 11-18 competition and the semi-finalists get an invite to the FIFA Futsal World Cup later in the year.

AFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP 2008
FULL GROUPINGS

GROUP A

1. Kyrgyzstan
2. Thailand
3. Iraq
4. Indonesia

GROUP B

1. Japan
2. Australia
3. Turkmenistan
4. Chinese Taipei

GROUP C

1. Uzbekistan
2. Lebanon
3. Korea Republic
4. Malaysia

GROUP D

1. Iran
2. Tajikistan
3. China
4. Kuwait

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AFC Futsal Championship 2008 draw on April 11

AFC Futsal Championship 2008 draw on April 11

KUALA LUMPUR 17.03.2008: The draw for the AFC Futsal Championship 2008 Finals will be held at 1400 hrs (local time) at the Radisson Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand, on April 11, 2008.



Sixteen teams will take part in the main competition to be held in Bangkok from May 11-18, 2008.
Twelve teams out of the sixteen booked their place in the finals, based on last year’s tournament results (seeded teams), while the top four teams from the qualifiers will complete the line-up (see media release on www.the-afc.com: AFC Futsal Championship 2008 Qualifiers draw held).

T! he 16 teams will be divided to four groups of four teams each.! The dra w will be based on last edition

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$3 million dollar man kills off Australia.

Futsal's record transfer, the $3 million Brazilian Falcao, ensured the end of the road for the amateur Futsalroo stars from Australia in Malaysia last night.

Aussie boys went down 7-0 no disgrace there, and so ended their wonderful KL World 5 tournament.

Report

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Australia to take on Brazil in World 5's tonight.

You don't realise how big the game is until you travel outside of Australia.

Speaking from the team hotel in Kuala Lumpur prior to the semi-final with Brazil on Saturday evening, Danny Macor, the Belconnen United outdoor striker, was in reflective mood.




Danny Macor enjoying International Futsal

Fresh from winning the National Futsal Championships with the ACT Cobras Danny Macor and Trent Flanigan were whisked away to Malaysia to represent Australia in the KL World 5’s.

The KL World 5's is shown across Asia to over 310 million viewers. A total prize purse of $105,000 (US) including $50,000 for the winners is available.

Speaking from the team hotel in Kuala Lumpur prior to the semi-final with Brazil on Saturday evening, Macor, the Belconnen United outdoor striker, was in reflective mood.

“It’s been a great tournament. The team has done so well. We were 3-2 up against Argentina, they are ranked number 4 in the world, with a minute to go. And their keeper scores a bomb, an absolute bomb. If we’d won we would have topped the group and played Thailand. Now we play Brazil,” said Macor.

Macor has returned to the Futsalroos, the National Indoor team after a break of seven years.

“I wanted to see if I could still do it. And being here it’s amazing how big the game is in Asia. Until you travel outside of Australia you just don’t realise how big the game is in Asia. And now they are talking about an Asian Champions League. That would be great.

Australia defeated Indonesia, Malaysia, England and drew with highly-rated Argentina on their way to the Semi’s.

“England has started slowly in all games. We were 6-1 up at half-time but they came back strongly in the second half. We’ve had some great results.

“We’re not even semi-professional really, whereas Thailand and others are all professionals. It makes you wonder how the team would go if we could train and play full-time. There is a lot of talent in this Australian team.

“When I left the game seven years ago we used to beat Thailand, now they are second to Brazil in their group. They have a professional league and are in the top ten in the World.

“Being in Malaysia, representing Australia. It’s an honour. Travelling with the team, you make so many friends it’s a fantastic experience. I almost wish I hadn’t concentrated on the outdoor game for the last few years."

Australia will play in the Asian Cup in April in Thailand, and Macor would love to be in the team.

"It's up to the Coach, Scott (Gilligan) but I'd loved to stay involved. The boys say the Asian Cup is a great tournament so I'd like to go, but it's up to Scott."

Australia play Brazil in the semi-final at 9pm AEST tonight (Saturday).

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Australia 6 England 1.

Aussies join Argentina into the Semi Finals

Australia defeated hosts Malaysia 7-0 yesterday, and then late last night Aussie time, beat England 6-1 in the prestigious KL World 5's Futsal tournament. Over $50,000 US for the winner and $3,000 for coming last, that and could be England!

You'd think England would be good with all that damp weather and rain sending players inside for a game during most of the year. The table suggests it's the pub and not the indoor arena they are heading for.

Scorers for Australia against England were:

The scorers for Australia were Greg Giovenali (1st and 10th); Fernando Moraes (4th min); Flaningan Trent (6th); Haydon Luke(6th) and Macor Daniel(17th).

Full report below.

Full report here

AUSTRALIA JOIN ARGENTINA IN LAST FOUR OF KL WORLD 5s

KUALA LUMPUR (31 Jan 2008) With Australia thumping England 6-1 in the final match of the evening at the Stadium Negara, it has set up a mouth-watering encounter against current Group A leaders Argentina tomorrow afternoon to decide who will finish at the top.

England's Richard Follett (No.4 in white) – Australia's Danny Ngaluafe Henry (No.9 in dark blue)The Argentines had already stated in no uncertain terms that they will be out to win the full points against a much-improved Australian side where a win would ensure that they avoid powerhouse Brazil in the crossover semi-finals.

But today, it was all about Australia as after rubbing off the challenge of hosts Malaysia first thing in the morning, the Aussies seem to be still fired up when they scored all their goals against England in the first half of the game tonight.

The scorers for Australia were Greg Giovenali (1st and 10th); Fernando Moraes (4th min); Flaningan Trent (6th); Haydon Luke(6th) and Macor Daniel(17th).

England’s lone goal in the game came off Alex Skyes in the eleventh minute as Australia romped to a perfect three out of three record and a place in the last four.

With Brazil already confirming their place in the semi-finals of the KL World 5s from Group B following today’s methodological 4-0 win over Thailand, the fight to decide as to which team will join them in the next round will be decided tomorrow.

Australia's Danny Ngaluafe Henry (No.9 in dark blue) – England's Shane Gill (No.11 in white)All three teams – Holland, Thailand and Iran – have a mathematical chance of making it although at this point in time, the question is how well Iran can cope in playing against China in the morning and then the decisive tie against Thailand later at night.

The Iranians have shown that they have certainly adjusted to the prevailing conditions in Kuala Lumpur following their late arrival and this was evident following their ability to overcome Holland 3-1 in what was a pivotal match in Group B this afternoon.

But as Iran head coach Hossein Shams said afterwards, the game against Holland was all about winning the three points – while at the same time maintaining a steady focus for the two matches tomorrow.

“We have to conserve our energy for tomorrow where we will have to play two matches. There’s no point in being ambitious today and getting into trouble tomorrow.”

FIXTURES and RESULTS (31 Jan, 2008)
10am: Australia vs Malaysia
(7-0)
1pm: Holland vs Iran
(1-3)
3pm: Indonesia vs Argentina
(0-6)
6pm: Brazil vs Thailand
(4-0)
9pm: England vs Australia
(1-6)

The tournament can be seen on Star througout Asia and on the internet.

Group A
P W D L F A PTS
ARGENTINA 3 3 0 0 25 2 9
AUSTRALIA 3 3 0 0 18 2 9
INDONESIA 4 1 0 3 10 16 3
MALAYSIA 3 1 0 2 4 16 3
ENGLAND 3 0 0 3 4 25 0

Group B
P W D L F A PTS
BRAZIL 3 3 0 0 12 0 9
HOLLAND 3 1 1 1 7 7 4
THAILAND 3 1 1 1 8 8 3
IRAN 2 1 0 1 3 5 3
CHINA 3 0 0 3 2 12 0

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Belconnen United's Danny Macor to play in front of 310 million people!

So you thought football in Belconnen was unimportant! Training out on the ovals under Steve Forshaw on a Tuesday in July with the sleet coming down. Not worth it?

Or maybe hitting the net in the local Futsal comp in Tuggers or the Netball Centre doesn't grab you.

Well local lads Danny Macor and fellow Canberran Trent Flanigan are playing for the Futsalroos in the KL World 5's in Malaysia....in front of an expected TV audience of 320 million..yeah Australia multiplied by 16.

It's big. It's live on STAR sports read the blurb from the KL website below.

The KL World 5's takes place between 29th January and 3rd February 2008 at Stadium Negara, Malaysia's first indoor stadium and a national heritage building. The event will be telecasted to over 310 million viewers across Asia on STAR Sports with over 100 hours of coverage, comprising 30 telecast hours, including 20 hours of live programming - translating into extensive media exposure for Malaysia.

The KL World 5's will have a total purse of US$150,000, and feature 10 teams in this prestigious tournament. The event is expected to draw futsal fans from Malaysia and the region with the pedigree of the international teams such as Brazil, Argentina, Holland and England will join the likes of Asian champion Iran, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia and hosts Malaysia in action.

ESPN STAR Sports and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have a rich tradition of partnerships stemming from a multi-year strategic alliance signed in October 2005 to raise participation and interest in sport in Malaysia.

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Canberra boys starring in Malaysia

Belconnen United goalscorer extraordinaire Danny Macor and ACT Cobras star Trent Flannigan have made significant contributions to the Futsalroos 5-1 win over Indonesia in the KL World 5's.

In other results Argentina beat England 12-1!

Full report from FFA below.


The Qantas Futsalroos kicked off their inaugural KL World 5’s Futsal tournament in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with a resounding 5-1 over Indonesia.

After a slow start, which saw them go a goal down after 18 minutes, Australia recovered to lead 2-1 at half time, before adding a further three goals in a dominate second half display.

Italian-based Greg Gionvalli, making his debut for the team, scored a double, with Danny Ngaluafe, Fernando de Moraes and Trent Flanigan each getting a single goal.

Australia had the better of the early exchanges, but struggled in the final third to put and scoreboard pressure on the Indonesians and were made to pay.

Two minutes before half time, Indonesia grabbed the opening goal of the tournament, but this only exploded Australia into action, as the Indonesians relaxed.

Less than a minute later, Australia was on level terms when Daniel Macor’s shot was spilled by the Indonesia keeper and Ngaluafe was on the spot to tuck home. Almost immediately, Australia scored again, with Macor again the provider, setting up Flanigan for an excellent finish.

With momentum on their side, Australia continued their assault and Gionvalli scored his first a minute after the re-start, pouncing on an Indonesian error after excellent pressing on their defence.

Midway through the half, Fernando made it 4-1, breaking through the centre and hitting a rasping shot that was too good for the Indonesia keeper. Gionvalli rounded off the scoring in the final minute, when he easily placed home a cross from Ngaluafe.

After the match, Australian coach Scott Gilligan said, “I was a little concerned after the first 15 minutes when it was scoreless but Indonesia dropped their guard after taking the lead and it was a good thing that we could score twice before half time.”

Australia now has a day’s break, before playing twice on Thursday, firstly against host nation Malaysia and then the final game of the day against England. The final match is against group favourite Argentina on Friday.

Other results in Australia’s group, saw Argentina, the last winner of the KL World 5’s in 2003, smash England 12-1, while Indonesia was again beaten later in the night, by host nation Malaysia 3-2.

The KL World 5’s is the richest Futsal tournament in the world, with the winner to earn USD$50,000.

The tournament is vital preparation for the ASEAN Futsal Championships that will be held in Bangkok in early March.

Match Details

Australia 5 (Danny Ngaluafe 19’, Trent Flanigan 20’, Greg Gionvalli 21’/39’, Fernando de Moraes 29’)
Indonesia 1 (18’)

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The latest Futsal Champs: Men's Semi's. Women's first semi.

ACT Men downed the Victorians..comfortably tonight.
Quiet game, but the Vic's were well beaten, maybe 5-1!
ACT cruised to a three goal lead and were never really threatened.

Former Futsalroo Elliot Zwangobani celebrated beautifully in front of the home support.

And in the other Semi....

NSW's beat the Solomon Islands scoring the decisive goal in the last minute. 3-2 to last year's Champs.

But the Solomon's whose players are mainly just 17 were the team to watch.
Skill, pace and tricks, only poor finishing gave the laborious NSW's side the win.

The crowd picked up on the pace and flair of the Islanders who are preparing for the Oceania Championships. A win there and they are off to the World Cup in Brazil in October.

Who would bet against them. Not me! They have bundles of skill, play with tactical nous and will challenge Australia in years to come, if not sooner.

Women's First Semi.

The Matildas were watching from the stands as a Melissa Barbieri led Victorian side went down to a rampaging Jo Burgess inspired Queensland.

A great game this one. Barbieri saved, shot, hit the bar at one point, and generally amazed the crowd. Burgess, dragged, dummied and pounded the goal of her Matildas team mate.

Burgess was inspiring and made it look so so easy.

Queensland won. Score? I dunno. It was late, I was tired, it was hot and I had to go, but the Queenslanders deserved it, just.

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Futsal National Titles kick off with a Victorian win

Matilda's Keeper Melissa Barbieri is playing for Victoria in her first National Futsal Championships this week in Canberra.

More comment and photo's from the opening night below.


Victoria's Open Men's side kicked off the tournament with a pulsating 3-2 win over crowd favourites Solomon Islands.

Victoria raced to a 3-0 win in the opening match of the National Futsal Championships tonight in Canberra, but they despite the start they were in for a fright.

A send-off, early goals, and a great comeback from the Solomons left the Victorians hanging on 3-2 and suggests the Futsal Championships will once again be a great success.

The crowd booed the Victorian keeper as he threw the ball into the corner to waste precious time near the end, making sure the exciting Islanders, who may go to their first World Cup later this year in Rio, were defeated.....just.

Futsal talk was everywhere:
NSW Thunder are favourites in the men's league, Matildas stars Lisa De Vanna and Melissa Barbieri are certain starters for their States. Talk of a Futsal Club Asian Champions League and of course kids, boys and girls all set to do their best for their teams and States or Countries this week. Even A-League players possibly getting to play for the Futsalroos in the 2008 Asian Cup in May.

National Coach Scott Gilligan is looking to select his team for the KL5's in March. Senator Kate Lundy and Gary Humphries and a host of Futsalroo stars watched the opening ceremony and first game.

Should be a great week.

NSW Captain and Futsalroo Simon Keith with Futsalroo Coach and Legend Scott Gilligan

Men's Favourites: NSW Thunder. Will they win?

Vanh Mathongsy, Coach of ACT Cobras. "We've trained very hard for three months. I think we can do well."

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Melbourne Victory v Sydney FC in Futsal. Would you like to see that?

With the Futsal Champs about to kick off in Canberra one could be forgiven for thinking the FFA have forgotten the burgeoning indoor game.

No national league, no national women's team, no grassroots plan.

NSW have had a 17% increase in girl's futsal alone over each of the last few years, but little mention was given to the game in the recent Technical Report.

Will we see a Futsal National League in the future? The Queensland Roar v Newcastle Jets. In a Futsal stadium I reckon it would be great. Maybe even two teams from each club.

With an Asian Champions League expected to start this year and a women's invitational World Cup possibly starting in Rio at the men's World Cup in October it could be an exciting time for Australian Futsal

But the excitement doesn't seem to be coming from the FFA, unless you know different.

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Futsal or Outdoor Football: FFA Which do you prefer?

With the National Futsal Championships about to start in Canberra next week thoughts in the Capital are turning to Indoor Football, or Futsal as it's known.

I'm biased. I love the outdoor stuff, but in my later years spent years playing futsal, and came to love it as I got older and slower.

And if you ask the kids, many, many, prefer indoor over the outdoor game.

Which do Football Federation Australia prefer?

The answer seems clear, and Futsal players will not be happy.


Clearly the Indoor version is second fiddle or even lower down the FFA ranks.

Before Futsal joined under the Football FFA umbrella, the Futsal organisation organised and ran camps and overseas trips for representative sides of all ages.

Today despite their increasing numbers their are far fewer official tournaments, overseas trips and training camps.

The Futsalroos are the men's national side. This year, they will play in the KL 5's in March, then the Asia Cup in Thailand in May.

They need to come in the top four of the Asia Cup to go to the World Cup in Brazil next year.

Camps to prepare? Nil.

Women's National Futsal side? Doesn't exist. Not anymore.

The FFA clearly have put their limited but now growing resources into the Socceroos firstly and now the Matildas.

And you may imagine how people within Futsal, who see this as their number one sport, must feel, when having been taken over by the FFA see their game bursting at the seams in terms of registrations, but getting a smaller and smaller piece of the financial pie, and perhaps more importantly, a smaller and smaller piece of the planning pie.

For five years the games were on SBS. Now there is nothing.

What is the future of Futsal?

And the FFA have gone Dutch thanks to Guus. We now have Rob Baan and Pim Verbeek, and the Dutch don't really value Futsal, certainly not like the Brazilians.

Come to think of it when did the last Ronaldhino come out of Holland?

Does this mean Futsal has little place in the FFA development pathway?

Futsal, so long the darling of SBS, popular in South America and belong, seems to be heading nowhere in Australia despite its popularity.

As outdoor football becomes a 10 month a year game what place is their for a National Futsal League, men and women's in the FFA'S plan?

What place for training camps, representative sides?

Quite simply the FFA can't have Futsal taking some of the next generation of A-League players. We've hardly got enough top footballers as it is.

In Thailand the professional futsal league play their players $1500 per month. The players train twice a day.

In Australia Futsal has been left behind as the FFA swallowed all the football codes, indoor and outdoor, men and women.

Any young person playing Futsal would be well within their rights to ask "What have you done for me lately FFA."

Where is my National League, International Friendlies, Tournaments, prospects for the future.

How does Futsal fit into the National (Dutch) Technical Plan?

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ACT/NSW Futsal teams to compete in Spain

A Capital Football – Futsal touring party comprising 16 players will depart from Sydney
on the 29th of June, destined for the North-East Mediterranean coast of Spain. Two teams
nominated in youth men and women age categories respectively will compete in the
prestigious Costa Dorada Cup, an international futsal tournament in Cambrils, attracting
team entries from Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy and elsewhere throughout Europe.


Boys team consists of:

Sam Workman-Brown (NSW), Chris Lee (ACT), Patrick Ross (ACT), Rory
Devlin (ACT), Cameron Burns (NSW), Ashley Collins (ACT), Kristian Collins
(ACT), Luke De Lorenzo (ACT), Santi Exposito (COACH).

Girls team consists of:

Aniko Berguno (ACT), Melissa Khoury (NSW), Lael Burke (NSW), Shona
Robson (ACT), Hayley Buckingham (NSW), Kim Irwin (NSW), Laura Elliot
(NSW), Lisa Sullivan (NSW), Sam Jarvie (ACT), Vanh Manthongsy
(COACH).

A great opportunity for all involved, don't know how they'll put up a trip to Barcelona!

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