Courtesy: The Canberra Times


Zwangobani's focus soley on the court

BY MERRYN SHERWOOD

2/01/2009

ACT open men's coach Elliot Zwangobani is expecting plenty of on-court pressure as Canberra defends its national futsal title.
But it's likely to be nothing compared to last year's title distraction when Zwangobani's wife Marina was due to go in to labour.

Zwangobani spent most of the titles frantically subbing off because he thought he heard his mobile ringing, but ended up playing in the ACT's victory in the final. Marina went into labour the next day.

''It was a very interesting time last year,'' Zwangobani said. ''But her timing was impeccable, it all worked out perfectly.''

Zwangobani is expecting both Marina and son Cadell to be on the sidelines supporting him this year.

This year Zwangobani will take on the role of men's playing coach.

The former Australian representative will share the role with ACT goalkeeper Angelo Konstantinou when the tournament starts on Tuesday.

The ACT team has injected some youth into its ranks.

While Zwangobani said it was hard to tell if it would be a better team, he did hope it would play a more attacking style.

''It [the team] certainly has plenty of potential,'' Zwangobani said.

''I think if it does go on to win, we'll see if we can win playing a little more attractive futsal than last year.''

One of the players capable of that is Canberra City premier league player Pat Ross-Magee.

It will be his first year in the men's open team after graduating from the youth side.

''Patty has great potential and he is a very attack-minded player and certainly the mobility he brings to the team will be a big asset.''

The ACT team has seven current and former Australian futsal players including Zwangobani, Konstantinou, Trent Flanigan, Elia Saloum, Matt Whyte, Matt Mensa and Goran Josifovski.

The team will be missing former representative Danny Macor. Macor had ankle surgery after playing in the local ACT futsal premier league final two weeks ago.


More than 2000 players, including some teams from Oceania will make the trip to compete in divisions from under-11 boys and girls through to open men's and women's divisions.

TUESDAY

2009 Australian national futsal championships to January 10 in Canberra. Visit www.www.futsalnationals.com.au for details, draws. Entry is free.







Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com