Courtesy: The Aucklander


Fast'n' furious Downunder

by Christoph Vogel

27th January 2011

Shooting their way to victory, Auckland's best steal the Futsal crown from the Aussies. Christoph Vogel reports.

Three kids wearing blue jerseys and socks buzz around the indoor soccer pitch. Robert Tipelu, Ahmad Mohammadi, both 11, and Nicholas Milner, 10, score one goal after the other.

And that's what they did recently in Australia, surprising the locals to win a major tournament.

Auckland Futsal sent its best under-11 players to the 2011 Australian championships in Canberra two weeks ago.

The lads from Onehunga, East Coast Bays and Birkenhead, and their eight teammates, went through the tournament unbeaten, winning seven games and drawing two. They beat the Canberra hosts 4-2 in the final.

"It was quite hard. On the first match we weren't really focused, but then we picked it up. And it came out as a win," says Robert, the captain. For their win they've received a gold medal.

"The Australian players don't give up. If the score was 3-1, it could have finally been 3-3," says Robert.

Ahmad scored two goals in the last game and has been voted the best player of the final. Naming Barcelona's Lionel Messi as his hero, he felt "special".

The three kids are playing outdoor soccer as well, but all like the speed of futsal.

Similar to outdoor soccer, it's played indoors with five players on each side, including the goalkeeper. The ball is smaller, but heavier, so it doesn't bounce. The fast pace demands high concentration and mobility.

"Futsal is faster. You don't have any time," says Ahmad.

Goalkeeper Nicholas was the one who tried to maintain the clean sheet for his team. "Being a goalkeeper is fun, but it can be challenging," says Nicholas.

Some parents went to support their children during the four-day tournament. Swimming in a pool or going shopping in Canberra was a welcome change, says Robert.

With their win they left a landmark of Auckland Futsal in Australia. "They did very well. Every parent is proud," says Helen Tipelu, Robert's mother.


Kick-start
New junior and youth Futsal leagues start from the first school term of 2011 at Rosedale,
Mt Albert and Western Springs.
More information: www.aucklandfutsal.org


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