Courtesy: OFC Web Site


Australia prove too strong in rematch

Following a solid first-half performance, the Solomon Islands national futsal team gave away a half-time lead to register their second loss to Australia in a pre-FIFA Futsal World Cup friendly in Bangkok yesterday.

The Kurukuru came from behind to lead the first-half 3-2 but the Australians regrouped strongly after the break to eventually win the match 10-3.

The Futsalroos drew first blood in the third minute with Jarroo Basger providing the goods after finding himself unmarked at the far post. That goal was cancelled out shortly after by Mathias Saru with a brilliant finish following a counter-attack.

Samuel Osifelo then put the Kurukuru in front utilising a corner kick set-piece to hammer home the goal, much to the delight of the spectators.

In the 12th minute, the scores were once again level when Daniel Forgaty found the net after the Kurukuru failed to clear from inside their defence. However, that was Forgaty’s only contribution to the game as he was given his marching orders soon after by referee Maiket Yuttakon for a second bookable offence.

With two minutes left before half-time Kurukuru captain Elliot Ragomo made it 3-2 when he led a counter-attack, chipping the ball over the advancing Australian goalkeeper.

After the break the Kurukuru’s performance slowed down as travel fatigue set in and the Australians were quick to capitalise, scoring eight times to take a comfortable victory.

Lachlan Wright led the way in the 24th minute with a long range shot and Basger got his second in the 27th minute. Nathan Niski also got in on the action and Aaron Cimitile got two but it was Danny Ngaluafe who dealt the heaviest blow to the Kurukuru with his hat trick.

Despite the one-sidedness of the score line, the Kurukuru played impressively but simply could not find the juice to continue with the rhythm they established in the first-half.

Tired after a 15-hour journey from Spain, coupled with their first match against hosts Thailand less than a day after arriving, the side became a shadow of itself.

But a lot of positives can be salvaged by the Kurukuru from the game – their lead in the first half represented the team’s full potential with their fluidity, movement and stong passing game.

The Kurukuru will now concentrate on training for their first match of the World Cup on November 3 against Russia.

For more on Solomon Islands football go to www.siff.com.sb






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