Courtesy: Oceania Football Web Site


OFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP: TELEVISION COVERAGE IN OCEANIA

Monday, 09 June 08

SUVA - The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in conjunction with Fiji TV is pleased to advise football fans around the region of broadcast details of the OFC Futsal Championship - Fiji 2008. OFC and Fiji TV have reached an agreement to cover all 21 matches of the championship for broadcasters around the region.

Full details of the exact broadcast arrangements for each country can be obtained by contacting your local broadcaster. OFC will provide updates at www.oceaniafootball.com of where and when you can follow the fortunes of your nation's matches in Suva.

Host nation Fiji and its close rivals Solomon Islands and Vanuatu recorded opening day wins at the Vodafone Arena in Suva - Vanuatu handed Tuvalu a 6-0 defeat as Solomon Islands turned over New Zealand 5-1. Fiji scored what could be a pivotal win over highly fancied New Caledonia 4-2.

Australia won the OFC Futsal Championship title on four occasions in 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2004. However its last experience at the FIFA Futsal World Cup - Thailand 2004 resulted in three defeats: Brazil (0-10), Czech Republic (0-5) and Thailand (2-3).

Fiji and New Zealand have finished runners-up to Australia on two occasions with Vanuatu finishing third in the four previous editions of the OFC Futsal Championship.

The highest placing for a team from outside the traditional football powerhouses in Oceania came in 1996 when Samoa finished in fourth place.

Apart from Australia and New Zealand only Solomon Islands has previously qualified for a major FIFA event when it played at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2006 and 2007.

Solomon Islands are set to repeat that accomplishment when it travels to Marseille for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in July 2008 where it will play the opening match against Italy.

The broadcast details of host nation Fiji's matches are listed below.

Stay tuned to www.oceaniafootball.com as updates for all the broadcast details for all nations is made known.

The FIFA Futsal World Cup takes place in Brazil from 30 September - 19 October 2008 in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro.



Courtesy: Oceania Football Web Site


MELANESIAN MAGIC ON DAY ONE OF FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Monday, 09 June 08

Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji all got off to perfect starts on Match Day One of the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) Futsal Championship today at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, Fiji.

The three Melanesian teams are now favourites to represent OFC at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil in September after combining for a total of 15 goals in their three respective games.

The tournaments opening match proved a real crowd pleaser as hundreds of Solomon Island fans packed into the indoor stadium to show their support for Victor Wai’ias young squad.

The Solomon boys didn’t disappoint and bounced out to a five goal lead with goals to Elliot Ragamo (2), Micah Lea’alafa, Maffat Sikwa’ae and Jenan Kapu.

New Zealand scored a consolation goal with one minute left on the clock through Bakr Al Saudi but it was not nearly enough to stop the Solomon side establishing themselves as tournament favourites.

Vanuatu fought through some stubborn first half Tuvalu defending to increase their one goal half time lead to six at the final whistle.

Jack Vira Ala was the star of the show finishing off a classy hat trick after goals from Ben Edward and Derek Malas.

In the final game of the night Kamal Hassan stole the show when his two late goals propelled Fiji to a well deserved 4-2 victory over New Caledonia.

Alexandre Rosso's opener for New Caledonia was cancelled out by a Sandeep Sanjesh Nair screamer which shook the gathered crowd of over 1000.

Fiji went 2-1 up through Nayzal Siga Ali before New Caledonia equalized again three minutes from time through Albert Hnailolo.

Hassan then scored two goals in the space of a minute to earn Fiji a very valuable three points and please the local faithful.

Match Day Two kicks off tomorrow at 16H00 (local time) when New Zealand meets Vanuatu.




Courtesy: Oceania Football Web Site


HASSAN THE HERO AS FIJI EARN LATE WIN

Sunday, 08 June 08

Kamal Hassan was the toast of Suva tonight as his two late goals propelled Fiji to a 4-2 win over New Caledonia in the final game of the OFC Futsal Championships on match day one.

The match was very evenly balanced with both sides making a cautious start, feeling each other out.

Alexandre Rosso opened the scoring for New Caledonia in the fifth minute after some creative link up play through the midfield.

Five minutes later Sandeep Sanjesh Nair equalised for Fiji and brought to life the 1000 strong crowd who screamed with anticipation whenever Fiji got near the goal.

New Caledonia missed their chance to regain the lead after Fiji goalkeeper Azmat Begg took out Yvan Pourouro and Jean Philippe Wemama missed the resulting penalty kick.

Fiji made them pay three minutes before halftime when Nayzal Siga Ali finished off a slick move tapping home from inside the box .

Albert Hnailolo equalised for New Caledonia with three minutes remaining and both sides looked comfortable with a hard fought point from their first endeavour.

But Hassan had other plans and two goals within the space of a minute produced a roaring ovation from the Fiji fans and locked up a valuable three points for the Fijian side.

Fiji Coach Imtiaz Khan was delighted with the result and said he was not happy to settle for a draw after New Caledonia equalised.



"This is what we have been waiting for," said Khan. "This win is dedicated to the players and it's a really good win.

"I am 100 percent sure we will do better in our next game and I noticed some tired legs out there who will benefit from our bye tomorrow."

We have Solomon Islands next and it will be a very tough test. I think our approach is at 70 percent at the moment and to beat them this will need to improve."

New Caledonia coach Eric Michalak said that it was difficult to be happy after losing a game late like that.

"I think the two teams were very even, and for the first time we partcipate in Futsal it was a good performance.

"We need more movement and to improve our finishing, but that will come with time."

NCL: 1. Euzen RONAN (GK); 3. Rosso ALEXANDRE; 4. Hnailolo ALBERT; 5. Iaruel JERRY; 7.Muraccioli EDOUARD;

SUBS: 2. Wemama JEAN PHILIPPE; 6. Maglia BENOIT; 8. Pourouoro YVAN; 9. Garin YOAN; 10. Gino Rene MARCIAS; 11. Guillemin STEVENS; 16. Gayon RONALD;

Coach: Michalak ERIC (NCL)

Goals: 3. Rosso ALEXANDRE; 4. Hnailolo Albert;

FIJ: 1. Azmat BEGG (GK); 2. Mira SAHIB; 4. Alvin AVINESH; 5. Nayzal Siga Ali; 9. Kamal HASSAN;

SUBS: 3. Sandeep Sanjesh NAIR; 6. Assis CHAND; 7. Vikash PRASAD; 8. Muni Arvindra NAIDU; 10. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR; 11. Imtiaz BEGG; 12. Nishad Wasim ALI (RGK)

Coach: Imtiaz KHAN (FIJ)

Goals: 3. Sandeep Sanjesh NAIR; 5. Nayzal Siga ALI;9. Kamal HASSAN 2;

Referee: Chris COLLEY (AUS)
2nd Referee: Scott KIDSON (AUS)
3rd Referee: Peter L. PAKOATONG (VAN)
Timekeeper: Allan ALICK (VAN)
Referee’s Assessor: Neil POLOSO (SOL)




Courtesy: Oceania Football Web Site


VANUATU SEND WARNING TO THE PACK

Sunday, 08 June 08

Vanuatu made their presence known at the OFC Futsal Championships with a smashing 6-0 win over Tuvalu in the second game of match day two.

Jack Vira Ala opened the scoring in the second minute,added another just after halftime and one before the final whistle to complete his hatrick and a man of the match performance for Vanuatu

Terry Quare and Derek Malas also added to the scoreline which would make most coaches sleep easy at night.

But coach Marcellino Barthelemy was not impressed with the number of opportunities his side wasted in front of goal.

"I expect more than that. In the first half we panicked infront of goal. I gave the team some strong comment at half time and rebuilt their confidence and we were better in the second half."

But our finishing and some of our posessional play still needs to improve for our next match."

Tuvalu coach Sami Neemia was optimistic about his sides loss in their first ever appearance at a Futsal tournament.

"I thought we played well, and it was a good performance for our first game. We will learn a lot from this and I don't think we will play a harder team in the tournament. The boys played their hearts out and thats all I can ask of them."

Neemia was especially proud if his sides first half performance after they went in at halftime trailing by a single goal.

"They told me their bodies were numb from playing on such a special occasion. In the second half they calmed down a bit. In the next game we will be ready and I am looking forward to it."

Neemia praised goalkeeper Sapepe Tailolo as his best player, after a stellar performance in the net.

"He made so many great saves for us tonight but he is also a great outfield player, which you will see later in the tournament."

TUV: 5.Mau PENISULA; 10. Semalie FOTU; 8. Peniuna KAITU; 6. Paitela KELEMENE; 1. Sopepe TAILOLO (GK);

SUBS: 2. Felo FEOTO; 3. Tioti Maati TOAFA; 9. Starchel SOLOSENI; 17. Neemia ONOSEMU; 19. Mahanga TEIAPUTI; 11. Imo FIAMALUA; 21. Maio ETIMANI;

Coach: Sami NEEMIA (TUV)

VAN: 1. Chikau MANSALE (GK); 3. Ben EDWARD; 6. Derek MALAS; 8. Louis DOMINIQUE; 10. Jack Vira ALA;

SUBS: 2. Terry QUARE; 4. Lui SIFAS; 5. Fedy VAVA; 7. Ben HUNGAI; 9. Siardon Mera TALKANAMAL; 11. Saen Wowut FANAI; 22. Daniel MANSALE;

Coach: Marcellino BARTHELEMY (VAN)

Referee: Jamie Cross (NZL)
2nd Referee: Teihotu TAEREA (TAH)
3rd Referee: Francois TROLLIARD (NCL)
Time Keeper: Stephan PARAGE (NCL)
Referee’s Assessor: Chandra SEGRAN (FIJ)




Courtesy: Oceania Football Web Site


SOLOMON ISLANDS OPEN FUTSAL TOURNAMENT WITH DAZZLING DISPLAY

Sunday, 08 June 08

"The perfect way to start the tournament,"

That was how Solomon Island futsal coach Victor Wai'ia described his sides 5-1 romp over New Zealand in the opening match of the OFC Futsal Championships in Suva.

It was an exciting opening to the tournament with an adrenelin pumping opening minute resulting in Elliot Ragomo scoring the tournaments first goal for the Solomons to the delight of their boisterous army of support.

New Zealand had a chance to equalise soon after but Ouadhah Ragued's penalty was neatly saved by Solomon goalkeeper Alick Lioka.

Ellito Ragomo was the star of the show for the Solomon side and he added his second from the spot with one minute remaining in the first half.

He could have completed a first half hat trick if not for his missed penalty 30 seconds later.

But that wasn't going to slow him or the Solomon side down and in the second half they quickly made it 4-0 with goals in quick sucession to Micah Lea'alafa and Maffat Sikwa'ae.

Jenan Kapu finished the scoring with a long distance blast from outside the box and provided the icing on the cake for an impressive Solomon Island performance.

Bakr Al Saudi scored a consolation goal for New Zealand with two minutes remaining.

Wai'ia said he was very happy with the way his side opened the tournament, and that they played to the gameplan.

"I was very confident going into the game, and 5-0 is a great scoreline for us. From here we will work on our weaknesses that I saw like communication in defence."

New Zealand coach Erkin Osman was dissapointed with the result but said his side will be better from the loss.

"Our defence was good but in our zone but we didn't put enough pressure on them."

"We lacked penetration and couldn't get them turned around.

We didn't deserve that game because we didn't play well enough, but there won't be many teams at this tournament better than the Solomon Islands."

SOL: 1. Alick LIOKA (GK); 2. Phillip HOUTARAU; 3. Elliot RAGOMO; 7. James EGETA; 12. Jack WETNEY;

SUBS: 4. Alfred PUNGUIKA; 5. Jenan KAPU; 6. Maffat SIKW’AE; 8.Francis LAFAI; 9. Micah LEA’ALAFA; 11. Ron GINIO; 13. Stanley PUAIRANA (RGK)

COACH: Victor WAI’IA (SOL)

GOALS: 3. Elliot RAGOMO 2; 9. Micah LEA’ALAFA; 6. Maffat SIKWA’AE; 5. Jenan KAPU;

NZL: 1. Elias BILLEH (GK); 12. Luke FIElD; 19.Michael CORRINGHAM; 4.Marvin EAKINS; 8. Joshua MARTIN;

SUBS: 20. Clayton CHAPPEL; 5. Yukin NAIDOO; 14.Bakr AL SAUDI; 3. Andrew GWILLIAM; 10. Ouadhah RAGUED; 17. Victor ZAIA; 23. Gregory O’CONNOR;

COACH: Erkin OSMAN (AUS)

GOALS: 23. Gregory O'CONNOR

Referee: Amitesh BEHARI (FIJ)
2nd Referee: Rajnish DAVE (FIJ)
3rd Referee: Allan Alick (VAN)
Timekeeper: Peter L. PAKOATONG (VAN)





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