Courtesy: Fiji Live


Fireworks expected at FUTSAL final

July 10, 2009

FUTSAL fans can expect fast, classy and entertaining football tonight when they gather at the Vodafone Arena in Suva to witness the final of the 2009 OFC FUTSAL Championship between host nation Fiji and Solomon Islands.

The two nations have been the impressive outfits in the weeklong championship with the Kurukurus finishing the round robin competition undefeated and with maximum points.

The Dickson Kadau-coached side has awed fans with their stylish and blistering pace of football and is expected to come out firing in the final again tonight.

Elliot Ragomo and his brigade will be out to maintain their winning record in the tournament and aim for another win over Fiji after beating them 5-3 in round robin competition earlier in the week.

Top contender for the Golden Boot Award, Micah Lea’alafa who already has netted seven goals to his name will be a player to watch in the final and will be tough customer for the Fijian defence which will be led by national goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau.

Outstanding Ragomo, Jack Wetney, James Egeta and Jenan Kapu are the other danger man in the Kurukurus outfit.

Solomon Islands assistant coach Jerry Sam told OFC his team has a lot of respect for their Fijian opponents and are looking forward to a carnival atmosphere at the Vodafone Arena.

"It’s going to be a huge match. They are the host nation, our last game was tough with them and lots of Fijian fans will come to support them.

“The main thing is sticking to our tactics, using our brains on the court and thinking about what we are doing," he said.

Fijian captain and last season’s golden boot winner, Kamal Hassan who has netted four goals so far this year believes pressure will be on his side but is confident of a positive result tonight.

"Defense is a priority for us. If we defend well then we will score on the counter attack."

“We need all the support possible and I am calling on all the fans to come out in numbers and support the team.”

Defender Aisea Codro, Sandeep Nair and Uraia Loki will team up with Hassan and goalkeeper Simione Tamanisau in the final.

While there will be action on the court, action and entertainment should also be expected as the Solomon Islanders will be backed from the stands by their fans who are currently studying at the various tertiary institutes in Fiji.

Vanuatu and New Caledonia will appear in the third and fourth place playoff at 6pm and the grand final will kick off at 8pm.




Courtesy: Fiji Live


Fiji guns for futsal title

July 10, 2009

Host nation, Fiji will throw out everything in the final of the 2009 Oceania Football Confederation FUTSAL Championship against Solomon Islands tonight and is gunning for an upset win.

Despite going down 3-5 in round robin competition, the Imtiaz Khan-coached side is confident of a victory and is all geared up for the clash against a much skilful and faster opponents.

Khan knows the pressure will be on his side to perform and is adamant of a good outing against the crafty islanders.

“We have already played them once and we know what to expect tonight so we’re prepared for it.”

“We have all the respect for the Solomon Islands team as they are the defending champions and have also featured in the FUTSAL World Cup,” Khan said.

“I have discovered some loopholes in their play and will be putting up a strategy to counter them from those weak areas.”

“The boys are psyched for the final and we should be able to upset the Solomon Islands and win the FUTSAL title for the first time” he added.

Speedy striker Joseph Mishra has been ruled out of the final after copping an injury to his collar bone while utility Mira Sahib is also in doubt after injuring his ankle and sitting out of the New Caledonia clash on Wednesday.

The first and second place playoff kicks off at 8pm.Before the final, Vanuatu and New Caledonia will clash in the third and fourth place playoff.







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