Postcard from Canberra: Samoa futsal

Manumea Samoa goes into the opening round of the Oceania Zone Futsal World Championships against Fiji, with host nation Australia attempting to qualify for it's fifth consecutive FIFA Futsal World
Championship, when the qualifying tournament commences in Canberra today.

Samoa will be joined by Australia, New Zealand and island nations Fiji, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu at the qualifying tournament with the winner granted automatic entry to the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship.

Futsal often referred to as five-a-side or indoor soccer, is one of the fastest growing sports both in OFC and across much of the world, with 85 nations having entered the qualifying competition for the 2004 edition of the world championship.

Hot favourites Australia gunning for 5 in a row have coach of the Qantas Futsalroos, Scott Gilligan, while wishing to remain cautious, is optimistic of his team's chance of success.

"On paper we would probably be considered favourites having qualified for all four previous world championships, but anything is possible on any given day as shown by the Solomon Islands in their recent World Cup match against the Socceroos," he said.

"We have had a fairly good preparation over the last week or so and all the players are now just eager to get stuck into the matches."

On the other hand Samoa who are new to the sport and still have to establish a full National League will without doubt be the underdog in all games but an issue that has not daunted the team or National Coach David Brand.

“Yes we have little experience both with the game and at this level but we are here to be learn and to be competitive. Our preparation whilst limited in Samoa has been very intense here in Canberra and I have been very pleased with the response from all the squad,” said Brand.

“We have won 4 of our warm up matches with only 1 narrow loss and whilst the opposition have not been International sides they have been very good and with by far more experience than ourselves.”

“We are therefore optimistic that we can improve on our record at the last World Cup and this is our target. A positive start is what we need and today’s game against Fiji is crucial. ”

Samoa will go into the tournament as rank outsiders but knowing the Samoan determination and heart, if the team can maintain a tight defence and remain composed a surprise may just be on the cards.

Australia is one of only five nations to appear at all four previous FIFA Futsal World Championships since the first tournament was first held in 1989.


The previous tournaments were held in Holland (1989), Hong Kong (1992), Spain (1996) and Guatemala (2000). Four years ago Spain secured the world championship after defeating Brazil, winners of the three previous tournaments.

The five-day tournament in Canberra will be played in a round-robin format with the winner advancing to the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship.

The 16-team tournament will be held in Chinese Taipei from November 21 - December 5.

The full tournament schedule of the OFC Futsal World Qualifying Tournament is:

Round 1 - Sunday, July 25, 2004
4.30pm New Zealand v Vanuatu
6.30pm Samoa v Fiji
8.30pm Australia v Solomon Is

Round 2 - Monday, July 26, 2004
4.30pm Solomon Is v Samoa
6.30pm Fiji v Vanuatu
8.30pm New Zealand v Australia

Round 3 - Tuesday, July 27, 2004
4.30pm Samoa v Vanuatu
6.30pm Solomon Is v New Zealand
8.30pm Australia v Fiji

Round 4 - Wednesday, July 28, 2004
4.30pm Fiji v New Zealand
6.30pm Vanuatu v Solomon Is
8.30pm Australia v Samoa

Round 5 - Thursday, July 29, 2004
4.30pm Fiji v Solomon Is
6.30pm Samoa v New Zealand
8.30pm Vanuatu v Australia

All matches will be played at the AIS Arena, Leverrier Cres, Bruce, Canberra.

Once again Soccer Samoa Media will be on hand to bring you all the news from Canberra first!!!!!!

National Coach David Brand is available for further comment on 685 26504.
or on email davidbrand2003@yahoo.com.au or dbrand@lesamoa.net