The Manumea Futsal Team will depart Samoa next Sunday morning, in its quest for the Holy Grail of Futsal.

They will compete in the OFC World Cup Futsal Qualifiers in Canberra
, Australia, beginning 25th July, in a bid to be the first island nation to qualify for the World Cup Finals due to be played in Taiwan later this year.

Once again Samoa will be classed as an almighty underdog but one that the boys in blue are well accustomed to, but a stigma one day they hope to change.

According to National Coach David Brand we are closer to the powerhouse nations of Australia and New Zealand in the indoor game, than at any other level and whilst we have such a huge improvement to make, he hopes the side can be competitive.

Preparations have been hindered by having to train on the grass of Tuanaimato, but spirits are high and naturally all at the Federation wish the team and management all the very best in what will be a very very cold Canberra.

Samoa has avoided Australia and New Zealand in the first game but nevertheless have another daunting fixture with Fiji. Once again the tournament will provide the opportunity to gauge on our improvement with our short term goal of becoming Number 1 in Polynesia and the long term goal of World Cup Qualification the years ahead.

National Coach David Brand feels that Samoans are well suited to the sport.

“As previously stated and without getting carried away, as we have a long way to go in our development of the sport, I genuinely do believe that we are as a race well suited for Futsal. With our quick feet, natural instinct of creativity, ball skills and low centre of gravity which allows for sudden changes in direction, our agility is a bonus for us. What we lack is a quality indoor facility, a regular futsal competition and regular internationals. Hopefully the new facilities for the South Pacific Games will provide one of these and give us added drive to put the others into place,” he commented at a photo call today in Apia.

The Samoa Football Soccer Federation is very grateful to the Honorary Minister of Education Sports and Culture Fiame Naomi Mataafa 11 and the Government for their continuous support and assistance to make this trip possible for the Manumea Futsal Team.

Funds allocated from the Government will no doubt go towards the development of this exciting sport where Samoa has already stamped their mark amongst the big brothers of Oceania.