Fiji Times

Pal's strike lifts Rewa

by INDRA SINGH

Monday, August 14, 2006

SARVESH Pal proved to be the lucky charm for Rewa as his wonder striker helped the side beat Nasinu 2-1 in the final of the five-a-side Inter District Championship at the FMF Dome yesterday.

Pal broke the deadlock towards the end of the second spell and this ensured the Delta Tigers, earned $1000 for its effort in the Sun and Sharma's Insurance sponsored FUTSAL meet.

Nasinu had taken an early lead through a Ashish Chand goal and looked to be on its way for the title because Rewa looked tired after a hectic 3-1 semi-final win over Suva.

This all changed in the second spell when Rewa captain Marika Rodu powered in a free kick to level scores at 1-1. Play then sealed victory with his strike.

Both teams played good football and showed their understanding of the code well.

In the semi-finals, Nasinu accounted for Tavua with goals from Chand and skipper Ronald Ram. Tavua managed a goal through Bobby Shameem.

Suva and Rewa played out a 1-1 draw in normal period of time in the second semifinal.

Rodu gave Rewa the lead before Kalivati Covu equalised for Suva.

In extra time Kamal Hasasan managed a brace of goals to seal a place in the final.

Defending champion Tailevu Naitasiri failed to make the last four after bowing out in pool play.

Fiji Football Association FUTSAL secretary Jainendra Sukhu said the regulars in the national side shouldn't be sure that they would make the final team.

Fiji will be playing in the Oceania World Cup qualifiers next year. "There have been some very good young players in the tournament," Sukhu said.

"The regular national reps will have to fight hard or a place in the team.

"All players who been involved are starting to get used to the rules and know what to and not to do."

He said they would be putting a bid to the Oceania Football to host the qualifiers at the FMF Dome.

With Australia out of the Oceania region, Fiji stands a strong chance to host the event as the dome is international size.





Mixed results in 5-a-side IDC

by INDRA SINGH

Sunday, August 13, 2006

TAVUA created the biggest upset of the opening day of the five-a-side Inter District Championship by beating defending champion Tailevu Naitasiri 4-1 at the FMF Dome yesterday.

The side made up of players based in Suva and who play the code regularly surprised everyone at the Sun and Sharma Insurance sponsored tournament.

Naitasiri took the took the lead through Sudheswar Ram but Tavua fought back gallantly and managed to get goals through Roneel Prasad, Abdul Israr, Praneel Naidu and Ashneel Nand.

The side was reduced to four men for two minutes after Nitin Kumar was shown the red card but this didn't affect the side.

However, the defending champ bounced back and thumped neighbors Rewa 4-1.

Rewa had beaten Lami 1-0 in its opening match.

In other matches, Suva showed they would be a classy outfit in the tournament after it crushed Nadi 6-3.

Mira Sahib and Dinesh Mudaliar managed a brace of goals while Joseph Mishra and Vikash Prasad got the other goal.

Nadi managed goals from Ratnesh Sharma, Dhanesh Reddy and Rajnesh Sharma.

Nasinu thumped a new look Navua side 5-2.

Navua had Simione Tamanisau and Jovilisi Rara from its senior team.

Nasinu had regulars Ronald Ram, Henry Nair and Rocky Prasad.

Nasinu's goals came from Anish Kumar and Nair with two each and Ram added one.

Rara got a double for Navua. In its second match Navua beat Pillays Garment Port Vila 1-0.

Lami beat Nadroga 1-0.

The semi-finals and final will be played today




FFA focus turns to 5s

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

TAILEVU Naitasiri will defend the national Futsal championship, which will be held in Suva this weekend.

Surprisingly, the premier division team has been a powerful force in the abbreviated code and will once again go into the two-day event as the favourite.

Fiji Football Association five-side secretary Jainendra Sukhu said a total of 10 teams would participate in the annual tournament sponsored by Sun Insurance and Sharma's Agency.

He said though there are no confirmed international commitments this year, the national selectors would be keeping a tab on the potential players for national duties.

"The tournament will be interesting," Sukhu said.

"Many of the players who participated in the recent Battle of the Giants will feature in the tournament. There are no Pepsi League matches this weekend so we expect the teams to field their best players." The defending champion is in Pool One with Lami, Rewa, Tavua and Nadroga. Tailevu Naitasiri will kick off its campaign against Tavua. The other pool includes Suva, Nadi, Navua, Port Villa and Nasinu.

The Oceania Futsal Championship will be held next year. Sukhu said Fiji FA had received an invitation to participate in a tournament in New Zealand later in the year.

"We will have to look at our financial status first before sending a side to the New Zealand tournament. If a national side cannot make it then we would give a local club a chance to take up the spot." Sun Insurance and Sharma's Agency has been sponsoring futsal soccer in the country since 2003.

The insurance company has been investing a total of $12,000 in the sport every year. The winner of this weekend's IDC will receive $1000.



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