Courtesy: www.nzfootball.co.nz

Futsal talent hits the court

The sixth edition of the NZF Futsal National League kicks off on Friday with eight teams from the seven football federations competing in Series One of the competition over three days at Napier’s Pettigrew Green Arena.

Auckland and Capital in particular, are shaping as contenders to challenge for the crown of defending champions Mainland, with both sides stacked with Futsal Whites keen to impress ahead of February’s OFC Futsal Championship.

With the entire starting line-up from last year’s final, plus 2014 Golden Boot Ezequiel Junior and 2013 NZF Futsal Player of the Year Daniel Burns, missing in Series One, Mainland coach Ronan Naicker will hope experienced Futsal Whites Atta Elayyan and Jakob Sinkora can play key roles in Napier to kick start his side’s campaign.

Auckland meanwhile, will commence their bid for a third title, led once again by playmaker Marvin Eakins and vastly experienced goalkeeper Elias Billeh, along with Futsal Whites danger men Dylan Manickum, Ernesto Lopez, Kareem Osman, Stephen Ashby and Bakr Al-Saudi.

Capital have been the national league’s most consistent side since the inaugural competition in 2010/11, but have lost each of the four finals they have played in, with last year’s 7-5 loss to Mainland being particularly heart breaking for Said Soleimanpour’s team.

Despite a goal drought for the Futsal Whites in recent times, Capital pivot Micky Malivuk has had an outstanding previous two seasons on the domestic front, netting 43 goals, including a five goal haul in last year’s final. Malivuk is likely to benefit again this season from the talents of the rising star of New Zealand futsal, 18-year-old Luc Saker, who will look to build on his outstanding international winter in the Trans-Tasman and Commonwealth Cups.

Northern and WaiBOP, like Mainland, are both in rebuilding phases, while the two Central sides – Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu, will fancy their chances of improving on their bottom half of the table finishes last season.

Hawke’s Bay, with new coach Chris Greatholder on deck, have made one of the most interesting signings of the league, welcoming in former Wellington Phoenix, Waitakere United and New Zealand U-20 midfielder, Tom Biss.

Perennial playoff hopefuls South will look to go at least one better than last year’s semi-final placing, with recent Futsal White Michael Sannum leading an exciting blend of youth and experience.

New Zealand Football Futsal Development Manager Dave Payne says the national league is going from strength to strength and he is particularly encouraged by the youthful nature of most squads.

“It is fantastic to look down the team lists and see the number of under twenty players taking part this year. All teams must have a minimum of three in their travelling squad, but most are opting for more than that, such is the quality of players coming out of the federation and schools youth programmes we have in place,” Payne says.

Payne believes the National League will also serve as ideal preparation for the players who are striving to represent New Zealand at the OFC Futsal Championship in February 2016 – a tournament that doubles as the qualifier for FIFA Futsal World Cup Colombia 2016.

“The league falls at a vital time in the national programme, with the qualifier, less than four months away. There is unprecedented depth in the Futsal Whites wider squad now, and the competition for places is very tough. So this competition gives everyone a chance to impress head coach Scott Gilligan over the coming weeks, and at the same time serves as excellent preparation for what will be the most competitive OFC Championship ever.”

Series One of the Futsal National League begins on Friday 30 October with a local derby between Central – Manawatu and Central – Hawke’s Bay at Pettigrew Arena at 1pm. Live streaming coverage of the Series will be available at on the Futsal National League website from the first game.

Teams: Northern (Champions 2012), Auckland (Champions 2011, 2013), WaiBOP, Central – Hawke’s Bay, Central – Manawatu, Capital, Mainland (Champions 2014), South




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