Courtesy: Solomon Star News


Kurukuru tipped to win

by Philip Lilomo

Thursday, 02 July 2009

OCEANIA Futsal guru Scott Gilligan has tipped Solomon Islands Kurukuru as a likely contender to win the Oceania Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 title.

Gilligan, who works as project manager for the ‘Win in Oceania’ Futsal development program, has spent time assessing and training teams involved in the championship, which is set to take place at the Vodafone Arena in Suva between 6-10 July.

Along with Solomon Islands, the former Australian Futsal player and coach also tipped Vanuatu to be one most likely contender to take out the title ahead of Fiji and New Caledonia.

“The Solomon Kurukuru has been training long and hard plus has the bonus of playing in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008.

“But don't forget that Vanuatu beat them fairly comfortably in last year’s OFC Futsal Championship (5-1) so it will be interesting to see if they can do the same again,” said Gilligan.

Gilligan who played in the 1985 and 1988 Futsal World Championships also believes the individual stars may come from these two teams.

“Jack Whitney from the Solomon Islands can beat players with ease and also has the ability to read the game while Vanuatu’s Louis Dominique has great composure on the ball and can change the course of a game,” he said.

The youthful New Caledonia side will be a threat with their pace according to Gilligan but the squad has not had the benefit of regular trainings.

“New Caledonia has only been able to assemble their full squad in the past three weekends as players come from both the north and south, making midweek trainings impossible.”

Host Fiji was also given a slight disadvantage with many of their players are involved in outdoor football matches in the lead up to the event.

Whatever the outcome, Gilligan believes the OFC Futsal Championship – now held annually – plays a key role in helping to develop Futsal in Oceania.

In his drive to see the sport grow, Gilligan is working to integrate Futsal in schools around the region, set up domestic competitions for all levels, train coaches and teachers, and employ Futsal Development Officers in OFC Member Associations.

All of these initiatives are part of the FIFA-funded Win in Oceania development program.

Gilligan will be in Fiji next week to complete a technical assessment of the championship.

Meanwhile, Kurukuru had the best build up for the OFC Futsal Championship next week after winning all three of their friendly matches against a strong Honiara select team.

Kurukuru leaves the country this Friday in their attempt to maintain their status as Oceania’s king of Futsal.









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