Courtesy: Marianas Variety


More youth Futsal tournament fun, part II

By Jude Lizama

Variety News Staff

THE SECOND portion of the Department of Parks and Recreation/Department of Youth Affairs Youth Futsal Tournament is fast approaching. Part two of the youth indoor soccer event will feature the U-12 and U-14 tournaments which will begin Friday, December 21. U-12 action will start and finish on the same day and will take place at the Guam Sports Complex in Harmon.


According to Muni Abdullah, Vice Chairman of the Guam Futsal Committee, the Astumbo Gymnasium in Dededo will be used by the U-14 players in order to keep the entire weekend function running smoothly. Since the U-12 event concludes on December 21, the U-14 teams will be able to utilize the Guam Sports Complex the following day.


“The kids said they had fun and asked when they could do it again,” said Abdullah concerning the excitement of the U-8 and U-10 players. “There is more of a fun concept behind Futsal. Although competitors apply outdoor soccer skills, they still need to make adjustments,” he added.


Abdullah gave his opinion about the results of the U-8 and U-10 tournaments.


“We could have gotten more players but it was difficult since many people were engaged with Thanksgiving activities,” he said. “We had maybe four teams in the U-8 division and five U-10 teams,” he added.


Increased popularization of Futsal in the middle school level is a future goal of the Guam Football Association.


“We want to promote Futsal on the middle school level since there are a lot of gyms. Hopefully GFA will be able to subsidize the equipment. We just have to step up our efforts with Futsal promotion and awareness,” explained Abdullah.


“The kids love it. With more Futsal promotion, the physical education teachers will notice,” said Abdullah. “The kids don’t care about trophies, they just want to have fun.”


Schedule of Events

*Games are 12 minute halves with a two minute half-time break. Teams switch benches at half-time. No practice time: team in – team out
Crushers, Strykers, Cobras, Wings, Dededo (DSC), Islanders

*Friday, December 21, 2007
8:00am DSC vs. Crushers
8:30am Cobras vs. Wings
9:00am Strykers vs. Islanders
9:30am DSC vs. Wings
10:00am Islanders vs. Crushers
10:30am Strykers vs. Cobras
11:00am Crushers vs. Wings
11:30pm DSC vs. Strykers
12:00pm Cobras vs. Islanders
12:30pm Strykers vs. Wings
1:00pm Islanders vs. DSC
1:30pm Cobras vs. Crushers
2:00pm Islanders vs. Wings
2:30pm Cobras vs. DSC
3:00pm Strykers vs. Crushers
3:30pm 1 vs. 4
4:00pm 2 vs. 3
4:45pm Championship Game
*Note: Please be on time for your games, there will be activities right after game play.
All games will be played at the Guam Sports Complex in Harmon.

* Information courtesy of Muni Abdullah




Courtesy: Saipan Tribune (Micronesia)


Saipan ladies third in Guam Futsal tourney

By Jon Perez

A crack seven-member Saipan women's team went to Guam over the weekend and placed third in a Futsal tournament.

The Saipan women's team placed third after finishing with a 2-1-1 win-loss-draw record to tie the Crushers and Quality in their group. Saipan earned the chance to move on into the next round and secure their semifinal spot after crushing Guahan, 5-0.

They lost their semis match and were relegated to the battle for third place against Hyundai where they beat their opponents in a penalty shootout. The Saipan-Hyundai match ended in a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation.

Women's team member Brenda Schultz said they had mixed emotions as they took the court before their third place game.

The score was still tied at 4-4 in the shootout and goalie Becca Newman saved the team when she scored the last shot and took her place as keeper to stop the shot attempt made by the Hyundai goalkeeper.

Aside from Newman, Emily Gries, Zoe Jewell, Brenda Schultz, and Katie Peters scored the other goals. The other members of the team were Madison Schultz and Alleny Tenorio.

Newman also won the goalkeeper of the tournament award for Saipan, which battled 10 other teams in the one-day competition.

They won their opening game against the Crushers, 1-0, then lost to the Tigers, 2-1, and tied Quality, 1-1. Then beat Guahan, 5-0, to enter the semifinal round.

Futsal is an indoor football game played inside a gymnasium or any indoor arena between five players on each team.

Schultz said the Saipan ladies never played Futsal before and by just joining and watching the games, they learned how to play the sport and saw various techniques like the “flick shot.”

“We [never] anticipated doing this well as we had never played Futsal before and the other teams had at least a season under their belts,” Schultz said in an email.

Schultz said they rested Saturday night to prepare for the 7-on-7 portion of the tournament. “Unfortunately Jhie Vallo was unable to come with us to Guam last minute so we will be [playing] without substitutes.”

She added they would share all the things they have learned on Guam once they return on Saipan. “We are looking forward to having fun and sharing this as we build [stronger] relationships with the Guam Football Association.”

After Saturday's games, GFA hosted a cookout at the GFA field where they watched two men's league games. The GFA field is also the venue where professional football player Ryan Guy held a youth clinic yesterday.

The 7-on-7 tournament started at 11am yesterday at the Harmon Field where each teams played four games.




Courtesy: Marianas Variety


NMI female strikers enjoy Guam futsal experience

By Roselyn B. Monroyo

Variety News Staff

A group of NMI female strikers completed their futsal experience on Guam by playing in a 7-on-7 tournament last Sunday.

The group whose members included Emily Gries, Zoe Jewell, Katie Peters, Brenda Schultz, Madison Schultz, Becca Newman, and Alleny Tenorio, first played the Bombers and forced a 1-1 draw.

In the second game, the NMI female strikers found their winning form and whipped Guahan, 5-1.

With a 1-1 win-draw record, the NMI bets needed one more win to advance to the finals. They faced the Strykers and lost, 0-2. The Strykers eventually won the tournament.

Despite the loss, the NMI female strikers were happy playing in the futsal tournament on Guam for the first time.

Futsal is played in an indoor gym and does not require the regular 11 players a side.

“We had another fun filled day of football on Guam,” Schultz said in an email with the Variety.

The group first played in a 5-on-5 tournament winning two of their three games. They prevailed in their first game against the Crushers, 1-0, lost to the Tigers, 1-2, and bounced back against Guahan, 5-0.

Newman was named best goalkeeper in the 5-player a side tournament.

She also manned the NMI’s goal in the 7-on-7 and shared the chores with Tenorio.

“It was a wonderful weekend of football because of incredible hospitality provided by Guam. We look forward to taking advantage of other opportunities like this in the future,” Schultz added.

Before going to Guam to play for their first-ever futsal tournament, Schultz and company competed in the 2007 Women’s Football Fall League.

The league had four teams and one guest squad in Jason’s Minions. Wild Bill’s Wild Fire won the championship beating Marianas Eyes in extension, while, Schultz’ PIC Paradise in Cleats placed third downing the Smith’s Bella Ballers.






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