The Solomon Islands Futsal team have touched down in Honiara to a rapturous reception after winning the OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 late last week.

Memories of the championship are fading fast, but oceaniafootball.com brings you a photo gallery of images that will provide fans with a permanent momento of the event.

The Solomon Kurukuru defended their Oceania title in convincing fashion scoring 32 goals and conceding only seven in their four matches. They also cleaned up the overall awards with honours going to the following standout performers:

Futsal Golden Ball (Best player)
Jack Wetney (SOL)

Futsal Golden Boot (Top goal scorer)
Micah Lea’alafa (SOL)

Futsal Golden Glove (Best goalkeeper) 
Paul Huia (SOL)

Futsal Fair Play
Solomon Islands

Photo Gallery

(Photos courtesy of Philip Lui, Avikash Chand, Jone kalouniviti, Tim Wilson)

The Solomon Islands have defended their Oceania Futsal title with an 8-1 win over host nation Fiji in the final at the OFC Championship in Suva tonight.

It was another goal fest for the Solomons who took their over-all tournament ledger to 32 goals scored, seven goals conceded in four matches.

"I am so proud of the boys that we came back and defended our title and we really deserved to win this because we shook off some rust after our first game and we have played better and smarter each game since."

"Now we have to look forward to the (invitational) tournament in Libya later this year and continue to lift our game. It’s another big step forward for us and we are proud to be Futsal ambassadors for the Pacific."

"I just want to thank all our supporters here in Fiji and at home and all our families and I think we will continue to grow this game and one day we will make a statement to the rest of the world about what Oceania can do," Ragomo said.  

It was Lea’alafa who opened the goal scoring account for his team on six minutes with a powerful shot that deflected off of a Fijian defender and bamboozled the unsighted Simione Moce Tamanisau.

On 11 minutes a clever long chip pass from James Egeta found teammate Jenan Kapu unmarked and he side stepped the onrushing Tamanisau and walked the ball into the Fijian net.

Just shy of the quarter hour Ragomo set-up Wetney for a simple finish after a weaving run down the sideline.

On 17 minutes Tamanisau had a measure of revenge with an audacious long range chip shot from just outside his own circle that caught his opposite, Solomon goalkeeper Alick Lioka, well off his line.

A hat-trick to Vanuatu front-man Vira Jack Ala has driven his team to a 6-2 win over New Caledonia in tonight’s 3^rd v 4^th play-off match at Vodafone Arena in Suva, Fiji.

Against the run of play it was New Caledonia who scored first on 9 minutes.

Vanuatu's Junior Malas unfortunately tripped on the ball inside his own half and handed possession to opposition captain Ivann Pourouoro who made no mistake one-on-one with the keeper, placing his low shot in the corner.

But Vanuatu were enjoying greater possession and made that advantage count with the equaliser coming on 13 minutes to Vira Jack Ala after a neat short passing movement.

And Vanuatu stepped up their domination in the second half with a further three goals coming to Don Mansale early in the second half, Junior Malas after 32 minutes and Lui Sifas after 37 minutes.

Vanuatu coach Marco Herrominly was very pleased with his team’s determination in their final tournament fixture.

“Our boys really wanted to finish this tournament third. In the first half I wanted them to move forward and press as much as possible and at half time I told them I wanted them to concentrate on defending more – this strategy was successful."

"This year’s team doesn’t have a lot of experience, Vanautu is putting more emphasis on the beach soccer  but we will come back with a stronger team next year and we will be aiming to win the OFC Futsal Championship,” said Herrominly.

SUBS: 3. Adrien GUILLAMO ; 4. Louis WAISHITINE ; 5. Anderson PAULIN ; 6. Henri DRUDRI ; 7. Rodrigue POIWI ; 20. Arnaud LLAMBRICH

Coach: Eric MICHALAK (FRA)

Vanuatu:  1. Daniel MANSALE (GK); 5. Lui SIFAS; 6. Terry QUARE; 8. Louis DOMINIQUE; 11. Ben Edward

SUBS:  20. Pascal BALA (GK); 2. Morsen Sope; 3. Don MANSALE; 4. Marco HERROMINLY; 7. Ben HUNGAI; 9. Junior MALAS; 10. Vira Jack ALA;

Coach: Marco HERROMINLY (VAN)

Team Fiji believe they have a few tricks up their sleeve that could see them trip up the high flying Solomon Kurukuru in Friday night’s final of the OFC Futsal Championship in Suva.

The final kicks off at 8:00pm (local time) at Vodafone Arena and follows the 3rd/4th place playoff between New Caledonia and Vanuatu from 6:00pm (local time).

On paper the odds look heavily stacked against Fiji as they nurse an injury plagued roster with at least one key player ruled out of the final. Recent form favours the Solomon Kurukuru after they beat the hosts 5-3 on Tuesday night, with two of Fiji's goals coming in the last five minutes.

But Fijian coach Imtiaz Khan says he has seen cracks in the Solomons style of play.

"I have noticed some things about the way they play and I have some ideas. I want my boys to play with patience and good defence and then the goals will come. Last year was a bad loss for us against the Solomons but this week it was just two goals difference,” said Khan.

The Fiji squad is somewhat depleted with livewire Joseph Mishra ruled out with a broken bone in his shoulder while Mira Sahib is nursing knee and ankle complaints and is rated only a 50/50 proposition to play.

Conversely, the defending champions have sustained no injuries of note during their unbeaten run at the championship. The Solomon Kurukuru have been in prolific goal scoring form, hitting the net no less than 24 times whilst conceding only six. Micah Lea'alafa has been an unstoppable force as their target player and leads all scorers in his quest to be golden boot with seven goals. Next best is Jack Wetney with five, closely followed by captain Elliot Ragomo on four.

Fijian captain Kamal Hassan, who also has four goals, is well aware that his team will need to put in a massive defensive effort.  

"Defense is a priority for us. If we defend well then we will score on the counter attack."

Solomon Islands assistant coach Jerry Sam says his team have plenty of respect for their Fijian opponents and are looking forward to a carnival atmosphere at Vodafone Arena. 

"It’s going to be a huge match. They are the host nation, our last game was tough with them and lots of Fijian fans will come to support them. The main thing is sticking to our tactics, using our brains on the court and thinking about what we are doing."

In tonight’s other match, Vanuatu and New Caledonia will be playing for experience and pride.

Vanuatu coach Marco Herrominly stressed that he has brought an inexperienced side and that he is aiming to build depth over the next three years with a view to the next FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2012.

For New Caledonia coach Eric Michalak, finishing on a high is the main priority.

"To win and finish on a good note is vital and also this is important for the future of my team. This is a new group we have together and to finish with a win will help the confidence.”

OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 - Finals Day Preview

3rd/4th Place Play-off 
New Caledonia vs. Vanuatu
Date: Friday 10 July
Venue: Vodafone Arena, Suva
Time: 18h00 (Local time)

Final
Fiji vs. Solomon Islands
Date: Friday 10 July
Venue: Vodafone Arena, Suva
Time: 20h00 (Local time)

Standings - Group Stage
 

Golden Boot

7 - Micah LEA’ALAFA (SOL)
5 - Jack WETNEY (SOL)
4 - Kamal HASSAN (FIJ)
4 - Elliot RAGOMO (SOL)
3 - James EGETA (SOL)
3 - Ismael TCHOVAMILI (NCL)

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Fijian captain Kamal Hassan scored a first half double to lead his team a 3-1 win over New Caledonia in their crucial Day 3 group game at the Vodafone arena in Fiji.

Last year’s Golden Boot winner Hassan put his team in front in the seventh minute, finishing off an excellent individual counter-attack by teammate Uraia Raimulo Loki with a powerful drive.

And Hassan again gave New Caledonia keeper Ronan Euzen no chance in the tenth minute after silky footwork saw him leave his marker for dead in midcourt and blast another blistering drive into the net.

New Caledonia were gifted a lifeline back into the contest on 16 minutes, though, when the Fijian defence offered up a weak pass to Hassan who was easily robbed of possession by New Caledonia’s Christophe Whaap who then finished with a unstoppable shot into the back of the Fijian net.

Whaap then undid his good work by giving away consecutive deliberate handballs in the 18^th and 19^th minutes, both of which incurred yellow cards resulting in his sending off. New Caledonia then showed impressive steel and organisation to deny Fiji a third goal as the clock ran down to halftime.

But the hosts were able to restrict New Caledonia to minimal scoring chances in the second stanza and flank player Dinesh Chand Mudaliar took his teams’ lead to two goals with an excellent drive into the net from a wide angle on 30 minutes.

From there Fiji displayed patience and control to dominate possession in the final ten minutes as they held on for a re-match of their Match Day 2 encounter with the Solomons, this Friday night.

New Caledonia: 1. Ronan EUZEN (GK); 5. Anderson PAULIN; 8. Ismael TCHOVAMILI; 10. Loic CAUNES; 11. Ivann POUROUORO

Subs: 2. Jerry IARUEL; 3. Adrien GUILLAMO; 4. Louis WAISHITINE; 6. Henri DRUDI; 7. Rodrigue POIWI; 9. Christophe WHAAP; Arnaud LLAMBRICH (GK)

Goal: Christophe WHAAP 16'

Yellow Cards: Christophe WHAAP 18', 19'

Fiji: 1. Simione Moce TAMANISAU (GK); 2. Mira SAHIB; 3. Sandeep NAIR; 4. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR; 9. Kamal HASSAN

Subs: 5. Shivam NATHAN; 6. Mohammed SHALMEEN; 8. Aisea Dauivalu CODRO; 10. Uraia Raimulo LOKI; 11. Christopher Junior KUMAR; 12. Emori RAGATA (GK)

Goals: Kamal HASSAN 7': 10'

The Fiji Futsal team will be calling on home crowd support in Suva this evening as they face New Caledonia in the final group match of the OFC Futsal Championship to determine who will join Solomon Islands in the Final on Friday.

The hosts go into the crunch match at Vodafone Arena needing only a draw to advance but will have to bounce back from a 3-5 defeat to the Solomon Kurukuru yesterday while the New Caledonians are coming off a confidence boosting 5-4 win over Vanuatu. In tonight’s other match, Melanesian rivalry goes on the line when defending champions Solomon Islands meet the winless Vanuatu.

Fiji coach Imtiaz Khan says his young side is focusing on taking the right attitude into tonight’s decider.

“New Caledonia were one of the teams we beat last year but Futsal is so unpredictable and you can’t say what is going to happen,” said Khan. “All we can do is stay positive.”

Fiji captain Kamal Hassan will lead from the front and hope to continue his goal scoring ways after netting a brace on Match Day 2. Meanwhile New Caledonia will fancy their chances after a dramatic win over Vanuatu yesterday thanks to a Loic Caunes winner two minutes from full time. Coach Eric Michalak says his players have dug deep to stay in contention for the title.

“Against the Solomons (Match Day 1) it was a very, very hard match so it was not so easy for us to move yesterday because we were tired. I was really proud of my boys," said Michalak.

The in-form Solomon Islands have less pressure going into their match against Vanuatu having already qualified for the Final but captain Elliot Ragomo believes there are still aspects of the game his team needs to work on.

"We can improve our set pieces, use our brains more and work on our teamwork and concentration.” 

Speaking after yesterday’s match against Fiji, it was clear what the victory meant for Ragomo and his side. 

“We knew it was our Independence Day so we just wanted to go so hard. For everyone watching and supporting and for the fans we are very happy that we have qualified (for the Final).”

Vanuatu, who are yet to pick up a point, will be playing for pride tonight but can take confidence in the fact that they beat the Solomon Islands 5-1 in last year’s OFC Futsal Championship. The match starts at 6:00pm (local time) with the Fiji-Vanuatu clash to follow at 8:00pm (local time).

For the latest scores and match reports stay tuned to www.oceaniafootball.com 

OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 - Match Day 3 Preview

Match: Solomon Islands vs. Vanuatu
Date: Wednesday 8 July
Venue: Vodafone Arena, Suva
Time: 18h00 (Local time)

Match: Fiji vs. New Caledonia
Date:Wednesday 8 July
Venue: Vodafone Arena, Suva
Time: 20h00 (Local time)

OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 - Standings
 

The Solomon Islands have continued their hot goal scoring form at the OFC Futsal Championship with a 5-3 win over host nation Fiji on Match Day 2.

Fiji put in a brave effort to hold the Oceania Futsal champions to a 1-1 at halftime.

Against the run of play it was Fijian captain Kamal Hassan who opened the scoring for his team in the eighth minute after winning an aerial challenge in the Solomon’s goal circle and reacting quickest to slide the ball past the keeper.

The Solomon Islands drew level on 14 minutes as Jenan Kapu swiveled and shot in one movement just outside the Fijian circle.

Fiji suffered an injury setback less than a minute later when livewire Joseph Mishra fell heavily and was stretched away from the playing area.

As was the case in their opening match against New Caledonia, the Kurukuru managed to lift their intensity substantially in the second half and it paid off just two minutes into the new period as Micah Lea'alafa put his team ahead for the first time.

Lea'alafa and his teammates weren't ready to stop there, he added a third goal on 29 minutes while captain Elliot Ragomo added a third after 30 minutes and Jack Wetney rounded out the Solomon's scoring on the half hour.

Fiji were able to add an additional two goals to their total through Mohammed Shalmeen and Kamal Hassan who grabbed his second of the match.

Fiji:  1. Emori RAGATA (GK); 3. Sandeep NAIR; 8. Aisea Dauivalu CODRO; 9. Kamal HASSAN ; 10. Uraia Raimulo LOKI

SUBS: 1. Simone Moce TAMANISAU (GK); 2. Mira SAHIB; 4. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR; 5. Shivam NATHAN; Mohammed SHALMEEN; 7. Joseph MISHRA; 11. Christopher Junior KUMAR 
   
Goals: Kamal HASSAN 8', 39'; Mohammed SHALMEEN 38'

Coach: Imtiaz KHAN (FIJI) 

Solomon Islands: 1. Alick LIOKA (GK); 3. Elliot RAGOMO; 7. James EGETA; 9. Micah LEA’ALAFA; 10. Stanley PUAIRANA

SUBS: 22. Paul HUIA (GK); 2. Philip HOUTARAU; 4. Jenan KAPU; 6. Moffat SIKWA'AE; 8. Francis LAFAI; 11, Ron GINIO; 12. Jack Wetney

Goals: Jenan KAPU 14'; Micah LEA'ALAFA 22', 29'; Elliot RAGOMO 30'; Jack WETNEY 35'

Coach: Dickson KADAU (SOL) 

New Caledonia has kept their final ambitions alive with a 5-4  win over Vanuatu on Match Day 2 of the OFC Futsal Championship.

Vanuatu opened the scoring through Ben Edward after four minutes, only for New Caledonia to reply a minute later through Anderson Paulin.

New Caledonia then snatched back the lead thanks to a powerful direct freekick from Ismael Tchovamili before Lui Sifas drew Vanuatu level after 18 minutes.

But it was the Caledonians who finished the half with momentum, Loic Caunes scoring from his team’s third direct freekick of the half with only a second left before the break.

SUVA – Here are the official starting lists for the first fixture (6pm) of the OFC Futsal Championship Match Day 2 between Vanuatu and New Caledonia.

Last night (Match Day 1) Vanuatu pushed host nation Fiji hard for the entirety of the championship opener before losing 1-2 to the hosts.  

In the night’s second match, New Caledonia gave defending OFC Futsal Champions the Solomon Islands a massive scare as they led at halftime 3-2. That was before the Kurukuru found another gear after the break to run red hot scoring five unanswered goals for an 8-3 win.

Both teams desperately need a win tonight to keep their tournament hopes alive.  

Vanuatu: 1. Daniel MANSALE (GK) ; 6. Terry QUARE ; 9. Louis DOMINIQUE; 10. Vira Jack ALA; 11. Ben EDWARD

Solomon Islands: 1. Alick LIOKA (GK); 3. Elliot RAGOMO; 7. James EGETA; 9. Micah LEA’ALAFA; 10. Stanley PUAIRANA

SUVA - New Caledonia and Vanuatu will be desperate for their first points of the OFC Futsal Championship when Match Day 2 gets underway in Suva this evening while Fiji take on a spirited Solomon Islands team who are also celebrating their National Independence Day.

Yesterday the Vodafone Arena crowd spurred the hosts to a 2-1 victory over Vanuatu in the championship opener before the Solomon Kurukuru – also supported by a strong contingent of fans – put on a dominant display defeating New Caledonia 8-3.

For tonight’s first clash (6:00pm local time), Vanuatu will be drawing on memories of last year’s OFC Futsal Championship when they breezed past New Caledonia 11-1. But Eric Michalak’s side has come a long way since then, working closely with OFC Futsal expert Scott Gilligan who believes the pace of the New Caledonians will be a threat.

In the following match (8:00pm local time), a win for either Fiji or Solomon Islands will see them go three points clear at the top of the table with one match to play on Wednesday before the Final and 3rd/4th place play-off on Friday. In the same match up last year, Solomon Islands beat Fiji 11-6. Dickson Kadau’s side is likely to find extra motivation on a day that marks the Solomon Islands independence from British rule on 7 July 1978.

One pundit who is confident the defending champions will go all the way is Victor Wai'ia, coach of the 2008 Kurukuru side that won the OFC Futsal Championship and went on to represent Oceania at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil. 

“I think Solomon Islands are in an even better position to win than last year because they have been working hard on their defensive strategy,” said Wai’ia who now works as the Futsal/Beach Soccer Development Officer for the Solomon Islands Football Federation.

Wai’ia has been in Fiji for the past week taking part in the FIFA Sub-Regional Futsal Referee Instructor Course which concludes today.

For match reports from Match Day 2 stay tuned to Oceaniafootball.com.


OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 - Match Day 2 Preview

Match: New Caledonia vs. Vanuatu
Date:Tuesday 7 July
Venue: Vodafone Arena, Suva
Time: 18h00 (Local time)

Match: Fiji vs. Solomon Islands
Date:Tuesday 7 July
Venue: Vodafone Arena, Suva
Time: 20h00 (Local time)


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Oceania Football Confederation
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SUVA - Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) in conjunction with Fijian Television Broadcaster Mai TV is pleased to advise football fans of broadcast details for the OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 which kicks off at the Vodafone Arena in Suva this evening.

OFC and Mai TV are working together to provide exclusive television coverage of all the matches at this year's championship and a highlights package that will be distributed to broadcasters in each of the participating nations.

Mai TV will screen delayed coverage of Match Day One (Mon 6 July), Match Day Two (Tues 7 July), Match Day Three (Wed 8 July) and the Finals day (Fri 10 July) during Fijian prime time from 7:00pm to 8:30pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

A highlights package 'wrapping up' the championship’s most exciting moments will be distributed post-tournament to all the participating OFC Member Associations for on-forwarding to local broadcasters. Mai TV will also make this highlights package available online at www.tv.com.fj. 

The OFC Futsal Championship gets underway this evening with hosts Fiji playing Vanuatu (6:00pm Fiji Time) while New Caledonia take on defending champions Solomon Islands (8:00pm Fiji Time). In the same match-ups at last year’s championship, Vanuatu beat Fiji 5-2 while Solomon Islands beat New Caledonia 8-5.

Since the championship’s inception, Australia have won the title on four occasions in 1992, 1996, 1999 and 2004 but after the Soceroos left OFC in 2006, Solomon Islands stepped up to claim the OFC Futsal crown in 2008.

The event has previously been held every four years as part of the qualification process for the FIFA Futsal World Cup tournaments. Fiji 2009 marks the first year of the new annual format which shows OFC’s commitment to developing futsal by providing regular competition for Oceania’s top teams.

Stay tuned to www.oceaniafootball.com for regular championship updates including the latest scores, news and photos.

For live match updates visit www.fijilive.com


OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 - Television Schedule:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

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Joel Tiller
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Imtiaz Khan, coach of Fiji’s national Futsal team, believes the pressure is off his side going into the OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 which gets underway at Vodafone Arena in Suva tomorrow evening.

By Khan’s own admission, the Fiji squad is very young and arguably less experienced than their more fancied opposition – namely New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu – and they had a disappointing 2008 campaign finishing fifth out of seven Oceania nations. 

The hosts will therefore go into this year’s championship with the underdog tag but Khan believes this could work in their favour.

“2009 is the start of a four-year cycle for us as we work towards qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2012,” said Khan.

“For this week’s championship, we’ve picked a group of young players who have a lot of potential but not as much experience as the likes of Solomon Islands who have already been to a FIFA Futsal World Cup. That means my boys can play without the weight of expectation hanging over them and hopefully cause some upsets in the process.”

Fiji striker Kamal Hassan, who won the Golden Boot Award at the OFC Futsal Championship in 2008, is expected to star for the hosts.

Meanwhile, the Fiji Football Association (FFA) has extended a warm welcome to all of the teams and officials who have arrived in Fiji over the past week. FFA President Dr. M.S Sahu Khan says they are expecting large crowds at Vodafone Arena.

“All teams will have strong crowd support, not only from those who support excellent Futsal, but from their own communities in and around the capital city,” said President Khan.

It is the second time Fiji has hosted the OFC Futsal Championship – an event previously held every four years but now run on an annual basis. President Khan believes the change of format is a step in the right direction.

“FFA fully supports this commitment by OFC to developing Futsal. And rightfully so, as Futsal has proved to be a popular means of conditioning players and providing a technical platform for the full outdoor football.”

The OFC Futsal Championship kicks off at 6:00pm on Monday (Fiji Time) with the opening match between Fiji and Vanuatu.

For live updates during the championship visit www.fijilive.com

OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 - Match Schedule

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Joel Tiller
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The referees charged with officiating this week’s OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 are sure to be on the ball after taking part in the FIFA Sub Regional Futsal Referee Instructor Course which continues this weekend.

Led by Referee Development Officer Massimo Raveino and Referee Instructor Neil Poloso, the course runs until Tuesday 7 July and is being held at the Vodafone Arena in Suva where the OFC Futsal Championship kicks off on Monday.

But as the excitement builds towards the championship, it is also a time of sadness and reflection as the funeral for Fiji referee Leone Rakoroi is held in Nadi today. Rakoroi, one of the Oceania's most respected referees, died last Sunday after being involved in a car accident. He will be well remembered by the entire Oceania football family.

At the referee course in Suva this weekend, around 20 match officials from nine Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) member associations are taking part.

Raveino says the course involves technical classroom-style sessions as well as practical sessions and aims to provide instructors with the necessary tools and training to enable them to run similar courses in their own countries.

OFC places high importance on developing world-class match officials in Futsal, Beach Soccer and football.

In 2008, referee development received a huge boost thanks to a brand new FIFA-funded Refereeing Assistance Programme (RAP) which is now led by Raveino who has stressed how important it is for the programme to succeed.

“FIFA want results in OFC over the next few years and we need to provide them,” said the former referee from Tahiti.

Raveino is supported by Neil Poloso from the Solomon Islands who says the objective is to improve the performance, consistency and uniformity of elite referees and assistant referees in each member association.

“We are also trying to establish and fortify referee development programmes and this week’s course goes a long way to achieve that.”

As part of the high standards set by FIFA, all match officials involved in the OFC Futsal Championship have undergone a stringent Futsal Referees Fitness Test. Only those who pass the FIFA test are eligible to officiate this week's matches.

The championship, involving Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, kicks off on Monday and will conclude with the final and 3rd/4th place playoff on Friday.



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Priscilla Duncan
Oceania Football Confederation
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Joel Tiller
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Fiji marksman Osea Vakatalesau has been ruled out of the OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 through injury and has been replaced by 18-year-old Christopher Kumar.

The championship, involving Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu gets underway on Monday next week at the Vodafone Arena in Suva and culminates in a final and 3rd/4th place playoff on Friday.

DAV College student Kumar who mends the striker’s position, got the call up from Fiji Futsal management after Vakatalesau injured his knee while playing for Ba in last weekend’s National League fixture.

Vakatalesau, who also scored in the game, was one of the big names in the Fijian Futsal squad and was expected to pair up with last year's OFC golden boot winner Kamal Hassan in next week's championship.

Fiji FUTSAL executive Jainendra Sukhu said Vakatalesau’s injury was untimely but is confident the team will still do well without him.

“Osea was one of the key players in the squad with a lot of international exposure but the injury has ruled him out as his knee is badly hurt and he needs time to recover.”

“We have included Christopher Kumar from DAV College Ba as a cover for him and have other good strikers in the squad also to fill in for Vakatalesau.”

“Christopher was very impressive in the western Futsal tournament and was thus selected by coach Imtiaz Khan in the 25 member team and he also made the 15 member squad but was dropped from the final 12.”

“He has a lot of potential but needs exposure and by featuring in a regional tournament like this, he will gain a lot of experience and confidence” Sukhu said.

Kumar recently featured for the victorious West 2 U-18 team at the Fiji FACT where he awed fans with his dazzling skills and blistering pace.

Story courtesy of www.fijilive.com

When it comes to predicting who will be the big players at next week’s OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009, no one is more qualified than Oceania Futsal guru Scott Gilligan.

Gilligan, who works as project manager for the ‘Win in Oceania’ Futsal development program, has spent time assessing and training teams involved in the championship which is set to take place at the Vodafone Arena in Suva between 6-10 July.

The former Australian Futsal player and coach is tipping Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to be the most likely contenders to take out the title ahead of Fiji and New Caledonia. 
 
“The Solomon Kurukuru have been training long and hard plus have the bonus of playing in the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008. But don't forget that Vanuatu beat them fairly comfortably in last year’s OFC Futsal Championship (5-1) so it will be interesting to see if they can do the same again,” said Gilligan, who competed in the 1985 and 1988 Futsal World Championships.

Gilligan also believes the individual stars may come from these two teams.

“Jack Wetney from the Solomon Islands can beat players with ease and also has the ability to read the game while Vanuatu’s Louis Dominique has great composure on the ball and can change the course of a game,” he said.

The youthful New Caledonia side will be a threat with their pace according to Gilligan but the squad has not had the benefit of regular trainings.

“New Caledonia have only been able to assemble their full squad in the past three weekends as players come from both the north and south, making midweek trainings impossible.”

Fiji are also at a slight disadvantage with many of their players involved in outdoor football matches in the lead up to the event.

Whatever the outcome, Gilligan believes the OFC Futsal Championship – now held annually – plays a key role in helping to develop Futsal in Oceania.

In his drive to see the sport grow, Gilligan is working to integrate Futsal in schools around the region, set up domestic competitions for all levels, train coaches and teachers, and employ Futsal Development Officers in OFC Member Associations. All of these initiatives are part of the FIFA-funded Win in Oceania development program.

Gilligan will be in Fiji next week to complete a technical assessment of the championship.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Priscilla Duncan
Oceania Football Confederation
Media & Communications
T: +649 526 5651  
F: +649 525 8164
M:+64 (0)21 884 018  
E: priscilla@oceaniafootball.com

Joel Tiller
Oceania Football Confederation
Media & Communications
T: +649 526 5654
F: +649 525 8164
M:+64 (0)21 994 520
E: joel@oceaniafootball.com

ENDS.

With two weeks to go until the OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009, defending champions Solomon Islands have stepped up preparations in their bid to secure back-to-back victories at the prestigious event.

The round-robin competition involving Fiji, New Caledonia, the Kurukuru from Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, is set to take place from 6-10 July at the Vodafone Arena in Suva, Fiji.

Solomon Islands will go into the championship as hot favourites with 11 of their 12 squad members being part of the 2008 winning team that went on to represent Oceania at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil last year.

Recently appointed head coach Dickson Kadau says his players have undergone intensive training in recent weeks.
 
“We train six days a week and the focus areas in our sessions are mainly on speed, strength and the team’s defense,” said Kadau.
 
The Kurukuru side has also received a huge boost from Scott Gilligan, ‘Win in Oceania’ Project Manager for Futsal, who has spent time in the Solomon Islands this month working closely with the team.
 
“The boys have improved a lot from where they were during the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil,” said the former Australian futsal international who has also coached the Australia national men’s side.
 
“When I came to Honiara early this year for a futsal coaching course under the ‘Win in Oceania’ development programme, I left a training plan with them and what I’ve seen is incredible progress.”
 
The OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 marks the sixth time Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) has staged the event.  Since its inception in 1992, the championships have been held every four years as part of the qualification process for the FIFA Futsal World Cup tournaments.

Fiji 2009 marks the first year of the new annual format for the championship which shows OFC’s commitment to developing futsal by providing regular competition for Oceania’s top teams.

The popularity of futsal – an indoor form of football played with five players per side and a weighted ball – continues to grow throughout the region as a number of OFC’s eleven member associations start to develop domestic competitions to support the game.

EXTRA INFORMATION:

OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 – Official Teams Lists

FIJI

1. Asmat BEGG
2. Mira SAHIB
3. Sandeep NAIR
4. Dinesh Chand MUDALIAR
5. Shivam NATHAN
6. Mohammed SHALMEEN
7. Joseph MISHRA
8. Aisea Dauivalu CODRO
9. Kamal HASSAN
10. Uraia Raimulo LOKI
11. Osea VAKATALESAU
12. Simione Moce TAMANISAU  

Coach: Imtiaz KHAN
Assistant Coach: Melvin ANAND

NEW CALEDONIA

1. Ronan EUZEN (GK)
2. Jerry IARUEL
3. Adrien GUILLAMO
4. Louis WAISHITINE
5. Anderson PAULIN
6. Cédrick HUMUNI
7. Rodrigue Poiwi
8. Ismaël TCHOVAMILI
9. Christophe WHOAP
10. Loïc CAUNES
11. Ivann POUROUORO
16. Arnaud LLAMBRICH (GK)

Coach: Eric MICHALAK
Assistant Coach: Alexandre WEMA

SOLOMON ISLANDS

1. Alick LIOKA (GK)
2. Philip HOUTARAU
3. Elliot RAGOMO
4. Paul HUIA
5. Jenan KAPU
6. Moffat SIKWA'AE
7. James EGETA
8. Francis LAFAI
9. Micah  LEA'ALAFA
10. Stanley PUAIRANA (GK)
11. Ron GINIO
12. Jack WETNEY
Coach: Dickson KADAU
Assistant Coach: Jerry SAM

VANUATU

1. Daniel MANSALE (GK)
2. Reynold ABEL
3. Don MANSALE
4. Marco Andre Junior HERROMINLY
5. Lui SIFAS
6. Terry QUARE
7. Ben HUNGAI
8. Louis DOMINIQUE
9. Junior MALAS
10. Vira  Jack ALA
11. Ben EDWARD
23. Pascal PALA (GK)

Coach: Marco HERROMINLY
Assistant Coach: Marcellino BARTHELEMY

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Priscilla Duncan
Oceania Football Confederation
Media & Communications
T: +649 526 5651   
F: +649 525 8164
M:+64 (0)21 884 018   
E: priscilla@oceaniafootball.com

Joel Tiller
Oceania Football Confederation
Media & Communications
T: +649 526 5654
F: +649 525 8164
M:+64 (0)21 994 520
E: joel@oceaniafootball.com

The countdown to the OFC Futsal Championship Fiji 2009 can now begin after the release of the official draw by Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).

With four teams confirmed, the championship is set to take place from 6-10 July at the Vodafone Arena in Suva.

Match Day 1 action sees Fiji pitted against Vanuatu while New Caledonia will clash with defending champions the Solomon Islands.

The ‘Kurukuru’ team from the Solomon Islands head into the championship as favourites after gaining valuable experience as Oceania’s representative at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008. Vanuatu will be up for the challenge having beaten the Solomon Islands 5-1 last year while New Caledonia, who have arguably the best domestic league, are also likely to be strong contenders. Fiji meanwhile have the all-important home advantage so the stage is set for an intriguing title fight.

Since the conception of the OFC Futsal Championship in 1992, the event has been held every four years as part of the qualification process for the FIFA Futsal World Cup tournaments. Fiji 2009 marks the first year of the new annual format for the championship which shows OFC’s commitment to developing futsal by providing meaningful competition on a regular basis.

The popularity of futsal – an indoor form of football played with five players per side and a weighted ball – continues to grow throughout Oceania as a number of Member Associations start to build domestic structures to support the game.

This year’s championship will follow a round-robin format with the top two teams advancing to the final and the remaining teams playing off for third place.  

OFC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP FIJI 2009

Dates: 6-10 July (Match Days scheduled for 6, 7, 8, 10 July)
Venue: Vodafone Arena, Suva, Fiji
Teams: Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu

Draw:
1. Vanuatu
2. Fiji
3. New Caledonia
4. Solomon Islands