Courtesy: Fiji Times


Fiji thunders on

By Amit Raj

Friday, July 10, 2009

PRESSURE will be on the Kurukurus in tonight's Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Futsal Championship final, says Fiji captain Kamal Hassan.

The 24-year-old native of Keyasi, Navosa said Fiji's 5-3 loss to Solomon Islands in round robin play was 'history' and he believes the final will be a different ball game altogether.

"We are very relaxed going into the final," he said.

"Solomon Islands is fast, better prepared than us and as defending champions, they've done well so far.

"They will be tough to beat and we'll need to play a strong defensive game to win."

"We must score every time we get a chance and really put our bodies on the line to stop them," said Hassan.

He said poor defence was Fiji's downfall in the earlier loss to the Kurukurus.

"We lost because of our own mistakes," he said.

"But we've regrouped and will not go down without a fight." The golden boot award winner at last year's championship said losing Joseph Mishra to a shoulder injury was major setback for the side.

"There are a lot of injuries in the team. Two players have been ruled out so we only have 10 available for the final.

"We realise this is our chance to create history. We'll go there and play our game."

Hassan's early brace of goals on Wednesday night set the platform for the 3-1 win over New Caledonia, a result that sealed Fiji's spot in the final.

Hassan scored in the 7th and 10th minute to take his personal tally to four goals before Christophe Whaap pulled one back in the 16th minute.

Dinesh Mudaliar sealed the win with a stunning strike nine minutes before time.

"We were confident against New Caledonia and knew we could beat them," Hassan said.

The final is 8pm.




Courtesy: Fiji Times


Ragomo warns his side against hosts

Friday, July 10, 2009

STAR player Elliot Ragomo has warned the Kurukurus against complacency ahead of tonight's showdown with Fiji in the OFC Futsal Championship final.

On paper the Kurukurus are favoured for a convincing win but team captain Ragomo, 18, refuses to be carried away with the side's clinical display and top form in round robin play that saw them net 24 goals and concede six in three matches.

He said despite dominating the championship the Kurukurus were not invincible.

"On the day things might change," Elliot said.

"We have to be consistent, sharp and play smart futsal."

Ragomo, who plays professional futsal in Spain with the Players de Castellon club, is one of the many lethal strike weapons at coach Dickson Kadau's disposal for the clincher.

Leading goal scorer Jack Wetney, Micah Lea'alafa, James Egeta, Francis Lafai, and Moffat Sikwa'ae have all been impressive for Kurukuru.

Elliot said the club released him for the World Cup last year. He then had his stay at home extended to play in OFC Championship and the Futsal Confederation Cup later in the year.

"I'm still part of Players de Castellon. It's my club and I'm grateful that they released me to play for Solomon Islands," he said.

Ragomo was 15 when he joined the club.

"I went to school in Spain like a normal teenager, learnt their language and lifestyle.

"I'm still schooling. This year I'll complete my foundation course at the USP campus in Solomon Islands.

Coach Kadau said he preferred to play Fiji in the final.

"We have a lot of support here," he said.

"Fiji being the host team will have a lot of support as well.

"We're expecting a big crowd and want fans to come and enjoy a good final," said Kadau.







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