Courtesy: Australian FA


Qantas Futsalroos start off with a win

Wednesday 19 April 2006

The Qantas Futsalroos have recorded an opening 3-2 win against Hong Kong at the AFC Futsal Championship qualifiers being held in Kuantan, Malaysia.
A double from Andrew Nolan and single goal to Adrian Vizzari, was enough to get the Australian team home against the battling Hong Kong team.

Having not had a competitive international match since the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship, the Australian team could have been forgiven for starting somewhat slowly. However Nolan got them off to a great start with a goal after just 3 minutes.
Hong Kong hit back in the 16th minute to tie it all up, but three minutes later Vizzari had Australia back in front.
Nolan extended Australia’s advantage in the 26th minute, as Australia’s superior possession game was telling.
However Hong Kong pulled a goal back in the 29th minute, but in the end Australia held onto its one-goal lead and a well deserved win.
The Australian's next face group favourites Korea Republic on Friday and then back up on Saturday in their final match against Macau.
The top two from the group will go the AFC Futsal Championship being held in Uzbekistan next month.

Match Details

Australia 3 (Andrew Nolan 3’, 26’, Adrian Vizzari 19’)
Hong Kong 2 (16’, 29’)

Australia starting five: Gavin O’Brien (gk), Scott Manson, Miles Downie, Andrew Nolan (c), Lachlan Wright.

Substitutes: Christopher Zeballos, Adrian Vizzari, Elia Salloum, Andrew Paine, Trent Flanigan, Luke Haydon

Subs not used: Peter Spathis (gk)
Not in line-up: Keenan Duimpies
Unavailable: Goran Josifovski




Courtesy: Malaysian FA

IN THE MEANTIME in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Futsal qualifiers, South Korea gave a rousing start to its Group A campaign with a 8-1 demolition of Macau at the Sukpa Indoor Stadium in Kuantan.

Over in Group B, Vietnam did not exactly get the results that it wanted when it could only afford a 4-4 draw with Cambodia.

For Group B favourites Turkmenistan, they overwhelmed Maldives 8-0 to win their first three points of the competition.




Courtesy: The Malay mail


FUTSAL/AFC Championship Qualifiers: Zaidi expresses doubts about Malaysia’s abilities

April 20

MALAYSIA overcame Vietnam 8-6 in a crucial Group A opener in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Championship Qualifiers at Sukpa Futsal Court in Kuantan yesterday.

Despite the victory, goalkeeper Zaidi Ramli is still not sure if they can progress to the finals in Uzbekistan from May 21-28.
“Although we won, we could not dictate the pace of the game in the second half,” said Zaidi, who has been with the national side for the past six years.
He said the decision to substitute experienced players with the newcomers was a bad move.
“Without experienced players like Addie Azwan Zainal, we were unable to initiate attacks,” said Zaidi.
Addie scored a hat-trick in the 23rd, 33rd and 38th minutes with the other goals coming from skipper Mohd Saiful Mohd Noor (4th, 21st) and Mohd Fuad Yusof (12th, 37th minute).
Mohd Ferso Ab Karnim had given Malaysia a great start with a first minute goal.
“The second stringers had problems adjusting to the demands of playing at this level as we conceded several soft goals,” lamented Malaysia’s head coach P. Balakrishnan.
“The reserves will just have to step up their game tomorrow (today). They should settle down a lot better than how they have done today (yesterday).”
In the other Group A tie, Cambodia beat Maldives 3-2 while Australia kept up the pressure on Group B leaders South Korea with a 3-2 win over Hong Kong.



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