Courtesy: NZ Football Web Page


ASB Trans Tasman Cup: Two From Two for Futsalroos

Futsalroos make it two from two after defeating the Futsal Whites 4-0 in the Trans Tasman Cup

July 20, 2013

AUCKLAND – The Futsalroos made it two from two after defeating the Futsal Whites 4-0 in the Trans Tasman Cup tonight.

After the Futsal Whites put up a gallant effort in the first game, the game started no-holds-barred from both sides eager for the win. The Futsal Whites came out firing and had several chances early on, including a shot on goal from Vaughan that was saved by Australian keeper Konstantinou.

Both sides showed an extra feistiness that was translated into cards and fouls that were missing from the first game.

Ten minutes into the first half, the Futsal Whites reached their five-foul limit, meaning any further foul would be an automatic penalty from the second penalty spot, ten metres from the goal line. Two minutes later the inevitable happened and a foul was given away by the Futsal Whites.

Futsalroos Captain and scorer from the first game, Giovaneli, stepped up to take, but Futsal White keeper Billeh did well to save.

Australia scored their first goal after the Futsal Whites were awarded a free kick, which went straight to the Futsalroos. They broke quickly to allow Zeballos to slot the ball into the back of the net.

Both sides had chances several chances, however it was the Futsalroos with another break away attack that made it 2-0. Giovaneli, who looked dangerous throughout the game, received the ball in front of goal and scored to give the Australians a 2-0 lead going into the break.

The Futsalroos came out strong in the second half – Greg Giovaneli opened with a shot that ricocheted off the bar, followed by a powerful shot from the right that just skimmed over the cross bar.

Lucas De Silva and Daniel Burns were both strong in the middle for the Futsal Whites, with Malivuk doing well in a defensive role. Vaughan and Captain Marvin Eakins both created opportunities but couldn’t finish their chances.

Konstantinou delivered a throw down the length of the court which found Seeto, who tapped the ball into the goal to make it 3-0. Minutes later, the Futsalroos were awarded a free kick. Seeto passed the ball to Adam Cooper who took a powerful shot. Billeh saved but Musumeci scored the follow up to make it 4-0.

“We’ve shown so many glimpses of what we can achieve and if we can eradicate these little mistakes that we do make then I reckon we can push Australia, if not knock them over,” said Futsal White captain Marvin Eakins after the game.

To Eakins the difference between the two teams is simply taking the opportunities. “That seems to be the difference between the two teams. Give Australia a sniff and they’ll take it nine times out of ten. At the moment we can’t buy a goal.”

With one more game to play in the Trans Tasman Cup Eakins is looking ahead. “A lot of people have come down and wellington has really got behind us. To get a result tomorrow would be huge. We’ve never beaten Australia. It’s a good opportunity.”

Match 3 of the ASB Trans Tasman Cup kicks off on Sunday July 21 at 4.00pm

Match report by Alida Shanks


ASB Trans Tasman Cup
ASB Sports Centre, Wellington
Match 2 – July 20

New Zealand 0
Australia 4 (Zeballos, Giovenali, Seeto, Musumeci)
Halftime 0 - 2

New Zealand: Bakr AL-SAUDI; Stephen ASHBY-PECKHAM; Daniel BALL; Tai BARHAM; Elias BILLEH; Daniel BURNS; Lucas CORDEIRO OSORIO DA SILVA; Marvin EAKINS; Matthew EDRIDGE; Atta ELAYYAN; Miroslav MAJOR; Miroslav MALIVUK; Dylan MANICKUM; Kareem OSMAN; David PLOWRIGHT; Ousdhah RAGUED; Jakub SINKORA; James VAUGHAN
Coach: Scott GILLIGAN

Australia: Adam COOPER; Alpkaya EDDIE; Daniel FOGARTY; Daniel FULTON; Greg GIOVENALI; Wade GIOVENALI; Angelo KONSTANTINOU; Dean LOCKHART; Marino MUSUMECI; Gavin O'BRIEN; Kieran PATES; Tobias SEETO; Mark SYMINGTON; Christ ZEBALLOS
Coach: Steven KNIGHT





Courtesy: NZ Football Web Page


ASB Trans Tasman Cup: Futsal Whites Go Down in Game One

Australia takes the first game in the three-match ASB Trans Tasman Cup with a 3-0 victory over the Futsal Whites

July 19, 2013

AUCKLAND – Australia have taken first blood in the second ASB Trans Tasman Cup with a 3-0 victory over the Futsal Whites.

It was a closely fought match between the Australian Futsalroos, ranked 27th internationally by FIFA, and New Zealand’s Futsal Whites, ranked 76th, in the first of three games in the ASB Trans Tasman Cup on Friday night in front of a strong crowd at the ASB Sports Centre in the capital.

This is only the second time the ASB Trans Tasman Cup has been contested, and Australia were looking for a repeat of last year’s performance where they won all three games in a clean sweep. The Roos were also coming off a competitive performance at the FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand, where they beat Mexico 3-1 in the group stage.

Australia started the game confidently, and scored just five minutes into the first half through Tobias Seeto. Their second goal came just three minutes later through Wade Giovenali. Despite conceding early, the Futsal Whites remained competitive in the game and had their chances.

“I think the whole game was positive for us,” said Futsal Whites coach Scott Gilligan.

“The first five minutes I thought we were on top. We lost a goal through not following a runner, and a silly goal from a corner where we didn’t mark up.”

The half time talk from Gilligan had the desired impact, with the players coming out strong in the second half creating a series of chances that Australian keeper Gavin O’Brien was equal to.

“I thought the second half we matched them and had more chances than them,” continued Gilligan. “Their keeper was just too good tonight.”

Despite the Futsal Whites creating several chances in the second half and frustrating the Futsalroos the game was effectively over when Daniel Fogarty beat his defender, drew out Futsal White goal keeper Atta Elayyan and dribbled the ball in for Australia’s third goal.

The goal fired up the Futsal Whites, with some great attacking play in the final minutes. James Vaughan applied great pressure to the Roos, pushing them into unforced errors and intercepting the ball with some feisty tackles.

In the dying seconds the Futsal Whites have their closest opportunity yet, with a fantastic shot by De Silva hitting the cross bar.

“If you compare tonight’s game to the three games we played last year I think we’ve improved a lot,“ said Gilligan.

“I’m impressed with what they did tonight. I thought we deserved a goal. We were a bit unlucky, we hit the crossbar but all credit to the boys, I think they done well.”

Match 2 of the ASB Trans Tasman Cup kicks off on Saturday July 20 at 8.15pm with Match 3 to be played Sunday July 21 at 4.00pm

Match Report by Alida Shanks


ASB Trans Tasman Cup
ASB Sports Centre, Wellington
Match 1 – July 19

New Zealand 0
Australia 3 (Seeto, Giovenali, Fogarty)

Halftime 0 - 2

New Zealand: Bakr AL-SAUDI; Stephen ASHBY-PECKHAM; Daniel BALL; Tai BARHAM; Elias BILLEH; Daniel BURNS; Lucas CORDEIRO OSORIO DA SILVA; Marvin EAKINS; Matthew EDRIDGE; Atta ELAYYAN; Miroslav MAJOR; Miroslav MALIVUK; Dylan MANICKUM; Kareem OSMAN; David PLOWRIGHT; Ousdhah RAGUED; Jakub SINKORA; James VAUGHAN
Coach: Scott GILLIGAN

Australia: Adam COOPER; Alpkaya EDDIE; Daniel FOGARTY; Daniel FULTON; Greg GIOVENALI; Wade GIOVENALI; Angelo KONSTANTINOU; Dean LOCKHART; Marino MUSUMECI; Gavin O'BRIEN; Kieran PATES; Tobias SEETO; Mark SYMINGTON; Christ ZEBALLOS
Coach: Steven KNIGHT

















Posted by Mico Martic --> mico.martic@futsalplanet.com