Junior Michael named Captain

Junior Michael has been named as Captain of the Manumea Futsal Team to compete in the OFC World Cup Futsal Qualifiers in Canberra, Australia beginning next week.

Michael is a long serving Manumea player having played for Samoa for many years including the last Futsal Qualifiers in 1999 and the senior member of the party. Pualele Lamana has been appointed his Vice-Captain.

National Coach David Brand was full of praise for Michael today and was confident his choice of skipper would be a bonus for the team. “Junior is a natural leader and a player who plays with tremendous passion for the game. His experience both in futsal and the outdoor game plus his qualities of leadership make him an obvious choice in my book.”

“This may also be a swan song for him as we all know he is no spring chicken. Nevertheless he provides for the coaching staff along with Pualele an ideal partnership and role model for the rest of the squad,” he commented today prior to training.

The team departs Faleolo on PH 855 at 3.05am on Sunday morning.

The full squad is:

Junior Michael – Central (Captain)
Pualele Lamana – Central (Vice Captain)
Setefanu Pesa – Moamoa (Goalkeeper)
Lionel Taylor – Kiwi
Tofi Tumua – Moamoa
Dennis Bryce – Kiwi
Ki Anufe – Lepea
Joseph Hoeflich – Kiwi
Sakaria Fuimaono – Lepea
Vincent Alatatoa – Apia Youth
Kiwi Timo – Sogi
Afasene Tusitala – Faatoia
Filipo Bureta – Central

Coach: David Brand
Assistant Coach: Jerry Epa
Equipment Manager: Mrs Tauave Hunt