The FA UMBRO Futsal Finals 2008 – Day 2

A cooler, fresher start was welcomed by all the players on the second day of The FA UMBRO Futsal Finals, the heat on pitches 2, 3 and 4 yesterday had been tiring for the duration of the session.

9AM start for the Women’s competition, with their remaining group matches to be scheduled today. Strong performances yesterday from West Ham United, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Team United and Watford will make today’s session very interesting.

Women’s Competition – Day 2 Round Up

Group A
Doncaster Rovers Belles kicked off Day 2 with another victory against Cambridge Regional college (5 – 1), the players do not seem to be phased by the game of Futsal. Belles rivals Team United managed a one all draw with Loughborough Foxes WFC (1-1)

In the final match in Group A, Doncaster Rovers played Team United, who needed a draw to qualify. The game was full of chance with Team United having the upper hand, Rovers Belles seemed to struggle playing on the bigger pitch, but clinched a last minute goal (4-4). Loughborough Foxes managed their first win against Cambridge. Both Doncaster Rovers Belles and Team United qualify for the quarter finals.

Club --- Points
Doncaster Rovers Belles --- 7
Team United --- 5
Loughborough Foxes LFC --- 4
Cambridge Regional College Girls --- 0


Group B
Yeovil Town Ladies kept themselves firmly in the running to clinch a win against Tranmere Ladies Futsal Club (2 – 1). Overnight, group leaders Sheffield FC Ladies faltered at their Day 2 morning game, receiving a hammering from Bino United (6-0). The competition for Tranmere seems very much over after 2 games.

Both Yeovil Town and Sheffield FC needed to take the second spot, with Bino United Ladies FC already qualifying. At 2 all with minutes to go Sheffield scored their third and final goal, and are through to the quarter finals.

Club --- Points
Bino United Ladies FC --- 9
Sheffield FC Ladies --- 6
Yeovil Town Ladies FC --- 4
Tranmere Ladies Futsal Club --- 0


Group C
After wins for both New Saints Ladies and West Ham, Worcester and Willesden needed to start the second say with wins to keep in the running. The New Saints Ladies were up against West Ham United in the first of two games. The New Saints Ladies beating West Ham United (3-1), in the other match with both teams needing a win, this match was crucial. Worcester just had the advantage and beat Willesden (3-2).

The third and final match in group C was just a formality for The New Saints Ladies, who polished off a clear win against Worcester (7-0). After West Ham United`s defeat against The New Saints Ladies, they needed to beat Willesden. Willesdens competition was already over, but did not manage to gain a consolation point. West ham United are through after a (5-2) victory.

Club --- Points
The New Saints Ladies FC --- 9
West Ham United --- 6
Worcester City Women --- 3
Willesden Ladies --- 0


Group D
Watford having already won their first game on day one, need to ensure qualification early on Day 2. South Downs were their opponents and nearly upset the Watford Ladies, who sneaked victory (4-3). Futsal new comers Dingle, need to a bit more work in their third and final game, after Rushden and Diamonds Ladies slotted home 4 goals and kept a clean sheet (4-0)

Qualification was already sealed for Watford and Rushden as the other teams were yet to score a point. Watford showed their superiority against Rushden with a (4-1). South Downs restored some pride beating Dingle (3-2)

Club --- Points
Watford Ladies FC --- 9
Rushden and Diamonds --- 6
South Downs College --- 3
Dingle Ladies FC --- 0



Men’s Competition

The men’s competition resumed at lunchtime on Day 2, with the final games for Groups A and B. Results from the Day 1, see Sheffield FC, Corinthians and FC White Bear – USSR already through to the knockout stages. In Group A, all teams have a change of finishing in the top 2 while the remaining 3 groups see teams battling it out for the second qualification place. Team United FC in Group D will need a miracle to make it to the next stage.

Group A
Both qualification places still open to any of the four teams, Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA representative team faced the toughest tie against Ipswich Wolves. Ipswich have failed to show the form and flair that entertained everyone at last years event during their first two games. There was little between the two teams in the first half, but Ipswich raised the game in the second half and clinched qualification at the last chance, the game finished (4-0).

One place decided and then second going to overnight group leaders Helvecia beating Worcester (3-1).

Club --- Points
Helvecia Futsal --- 7
Ipswich Wolves FC --- 4
Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA --- 3
Worcester University --- 3


Group B
Sheffield FC made it three wins out of three, with a steady performance over Newham. Even a win for Manchester Futsal Club against Baltic Futsal Club would likely see the Manchester team heading for the plate competition, unless they can keep a clean sheet and score a dozen. Unfortunately this was not to be and Baltic just edged it (3-2).

Club --- Points
Sheffield FC --- 9
Baltic Futsal Club --- 6
Manchester Futsal Club --- 1
Newham Genesis --- 1


Group C

Corinthians having already qualified can take it easy in their last group match, and keep some energy in reserve for the quarter finals to be played this evening. Any of the three other teams in the group can clinch the second spot, all needing a win to guarantee passage. Birmingham Tigers stole the three points away from leaders Corinthians in a very entertaining match. In the other game Tranmere beat bottom of the table I Security (4-2), and join Corinthians in the next stage.

Club --- Points
Corinthians --- 6
Tranmere Victoria --- 6
Birmingham Tigers FC --- 4
I Security --- 1


Group D
Group D was already settled yesterday, after FC White Bear and Loughborough both won their games, leaving the remaining two teams with no points and no hope of catching them up. Team pride was at stake for Hull and Team United, as neither team wanted to finish the competition without notching any points. Hull demolished Team United (1 – 8), pride restored for Hull, with Team United having to look at making amends in the plate competition. FC White Bear and Loughborough played out a potential game in the later stages, with FC White Bear winning (6-2).

Club --- Points
FC White Bear – USSR --- 9
Loughborough Students FC --- 6
Hull Futsal Club --- 3
Team United FC --- 0


Men’s Competition - Quarter Finals

Helvecia Futsal 3 – 0 Loughborough Students FC

With English pride at stake, Loughborough are one of three English teams to progress to the knockout stage. In a tense, and well fought encounter Helvecia knocked out Loughborough with a strong performance (3-0)

Ipswich Wolves 4 – 4 FC White Bear – USSR (After extra time)

Ipswich Wolves win on penalties (5-4)

The mouth watering fixture of the men’s quarter finals saw last year’s winners Ipswich Wolves, up against spectator’s favourites The White Bear – USSR. Hopes around the venue were for White Bear to progress through to the Semi Finals after winning all three of their group games. Ipswich Wolves failed to show until the second half of their third and final game in the group competition.

The game was closely matched and very entertaining, with little between the two teams. After normal time, the teams were at a deadlock, into extra time and still neither team took a one goal advantage. This tie was to be decided with penalties.

The tense atmosphere made for a great penalty contest with both teams standing on the half way line waiting for their turn to take the penalty spot. The Ipswich goalkeeper was the hero in the quarter finals saving two penalties and putting them through to the semi finals.


Sheffield FC 3 – 3 Tranmere Victoria (After extra time)

Tranmere Victoria win on penalties (3-2)

In the all English encounter in the quarter finals, with one English team definitely making it to the semi finals of the competition. Sheffield FC flying the flag for the host city, were looking to do one over their North League rivals. Sheffield were the beater side creating chances, and taking the lead, but with every goals Sheffield scored Tranmere responded with an equaliser. In extra time Sheffield looked to have steeled it in extra time only to again let Tranmere come back. This game was decided on penalties, with Sheffield FC cruelly being knocked out after the Tranmere goalie saved a penalty.


Baltic Futsal Club 1 – 3 Corinthians

Another match to be undecided in full time, a very entertaining and passionate match was complimented with the passionate and vocal Corinthian crowd, urging their players to score the winning goal. This game looked like also being decided on penalties until Corinthians scored the deciding two goals, booking their place in the Semi Finals.


Semi – Finals - Fixtures

Helvecia Futsal v Corinthians
Tranmere Victoria v Ipswich Wolves







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