9TH - 13TH JANUARY, 2019 - SYDNEY NSW 2 - National Futsal ...
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9TH - 13TH JANUARY, 2019 - SYDNEY NSW
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MATCH SCHEDULE 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships
Valentine Sports Park Blacktown Leisure Centre
Day First Game Starts Last Game Starts Day First Game Starts Last Game Starts
Wednesday 10:00am 4:00pm Wednesday 9:00am 4:00pm
Thursday 9:00am 4:00pm Thursday 9:00am 4:00pm
Friday 9:00am 4:00pm Friday 9:00am 4:00pm
Saturday 9:00am 2:00pm Saturday 9:00am 3:00pm
The Centre, Dural Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre
Day First Game Starts Last Game Starts Day First Game Starts Last Game Starts
Wednesday 9:00am 5:00pm Wednesday 9:00am 4:00pm
Thursday 9:00am 5:00pm Thursday 9:00am 5:00pm
Friday 9:00am 4:00pm Friday 9:00am 4:00pm
Saturday 9:00am 2:00pm Saturday 9:00am 3:00pm
Quaycentre
Day First Game Starts Last Game Starts
Wednesday 9:00am 3:00pm
Thursday 9:00am 3:00pm
Friday 9:00am 4:00pm
Saturday 9:00am 3:00pm
Finals Day 13th January 2019
Competition Time Team 1 Team 2 Court
U12 Boys 8:30 AM Winner Semi Final 1 Winner Semi Final 2 1
U13 Girls 8:30 AM Winner Semi Final 1 Winner Semi Final 2 2
U14 Boys 9:45 AM Winner Semi Final 1 Winner Semi Final 2 1
U13 Boys 9:45 AM Winner Semi Final 1 Winner Semi Final 2 2
U15 Boys 11:00 AM Winner Semi Final 1 Winner Semi Final 2 1
U15 Girls 11:00 AM Winner Semi Final 1 Winner Semi Final 2 2
POWERCHAIR 12:30 PM Exhibition Match 3
U16 Boys 1:30 PM Winner Semi Final 1 Winner Semi Final 2 3
U17 Girls 2:30 PM Winner Semi Final 1 Winner Semi Final 2 3
Open AWD Mixed 3:30 PM Winner Semi Final 1 Winner Semi Final 2 3
U19 Men 4:30 PM 1st 2nd 3
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VALENTINE SPORTS PARK
nationalfutsalchampionships.com.au
Futsal is an important part of the football ecosystem
in Australia and not only introduces and develops
footballers, it also provides an elite pathway for
outstanding players to eventually represent Australia
on the international stage.
Although our Men’s National Futsal Team, the
Futsalroos, have had somewhat of a hiatus over the
past twelve months, FFA is committed to ensuring they
are appropriately supported for the upcoming AFC
Futsal Championships, which serve as the qualification
tournament for the 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup, to be
held in Lithuania.
In closing, I would like to thank our partners for
their ongoing support and acknowledge the efforts
of Football NSW for once again hosting the FFA
National Futsal Championships. Finally, best wishes
O n behalf of the Board and management of Football
Federation Australia (FFA) I would like to welcome
all players, officials and spectators to the 2019 FFA
to all players, coaches and match officials for the
coming week. I trust that the tournament is highly
competitive, entertaining and successful, and played
National Futsal Championships.
within the spirit of fair play and respect for all.
These National Championships are the biggest
tournament under the FFA banner and not only David Gallop
showcase our best Futsal talent for boys and girls, men
Chief Executive Officer
and women, we also see Athletes with a Disability and
Powerchair Athletes taking part in a special exhibition Football Federation Australia
match.
TOURNAMENT RESULTS & LADDERS
For daily updated tournament results, ladders and news, visit
www.nationalfutsalchampionships.com.au
/nationalfutsalchampionships
FutsalChamps
#FFAFutsalChamps
footballaustralia.com.au 3
TOURNAMENT OVERVIEW 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships
BY RUSS GIBBS
A s the temperatures soar outside the attention
of the Australian Futsal Community turns
indoors for where the action is at its hottest –
Last year saw New South Wales assert their
dominance on the competition once more, the
perennial finalists making sure they cut a swathe
the 2019 FFA National Futsal Championship. The through nearly all of the rest of the entrants at
best of the best in each state will congregate in every age grade in stockpiling most of the trophies
New South Wales for the latest edition of the fast- on offer. And yet, those clad in light blue don’t
paced, goal-laden event with the culmination always have it their own way.
of the week, the eagerly anticipated finals day,
The challengers from interstate will be bound to
crowning champions in ten different age groups.
spring a few shocks and surprises along the journey
The 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships will, pushing the hosts to the very limit and, just maybe,
once more, feature some exquisite skills, some ensuring that the last day of the fixture list will see
sublime moments and some goals that will, quite some other colours raining on what, historically,
literally, take your breath away. Year-on-year the has been a light blue parade.
quality never ceases to amaze with the talent from With its compact playing area, the sport is ideal for
around Australia stamping their authority on what showing the touch and control of the very best and
is a unique tournament. is testing stamina wise, meaning that utilising a full
Throughout the years some exceptional players squad is paramount for success. Every player who
takes to the court will play an important part across
have graced the competition and have gone on
a tiring week filled with twists and turns and ebbs
to represent their country at both the indoor and
and flows.
outdoor versions of the game. We await the next
generation of players to showcase their individual Welcome to the 2019 FFA National Futsal
quality and their ability to improvise and play as Championships, where memories are made and
part of team, the fundamentals that make Futsal careers, in their infancy, can often blossom. Either
such an enjoyable game and one that builds way, t’s sure to be a tournament talked about for a
confidence and skills. long time to come.
2018 ROLL OF HONOUR
Age Group Champions Score Runner Up
U12 Boys Solomon Islands 6:5 FNSW Thunder
U13 Girls FNSW Thunder 3:1 FNSW Lightning
U13 Boys FNSW Thunder 6:4 FNSW Lightning
U14 Boys FNSW Thunder 6:0 FNSW Lightning
U15 Girls FNSW Country North 1:0 QLD Metro
U15 Boys Capital Football 3:1 FNSW Lightning
U16 Boys Victoria 2:0 FNSW Lightning
U17 Girls FNSW Thunder 1:0 FNSW Lightning
U19 Women FNSW Thunder 1:0 FNSW Lightning
U19 Men FNSW Thunder 3:2 FNSW Lightning
Open AWD FNSW Thunder 4:3 Capital Football
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nationalfutsalchampionships.com.au VENUE MAPS
QUAYCENTRE
Olympic Boulevarde, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, 2127
QUAYCENTRE, OLYMPIC BOULEVARDE, SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK, NSW, 2127
WEDNESDAY 9TH -
SATURDAY 12TH
VENUE MAP: Wed 9th - Sat 13th January
QUAYCENTRE
Olympic Boulevarde, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, 2127
QUAYCENTRE, OLYMPIC BOULEVARDE, SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK, NSW, 2127
SUNDAY 13TH
JANUARY
VENUE MAP MODE 1
QUAYCENTRE
Olympic Boulevarde, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, 2127
QUAYCENTRE, OLYMPIC BOULEVARDE, SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK, NSW, 2127
SUNDAY 13TH
JANUARY
VENUE MAP MODE 2
footballaustralia.com.au 5
VENUE MAPS 2017 FFA National Futsal Championships
VALENTINE SPORTS PARK
235-257 Meurants Lane, Glenwood, NSW, 2768
VALENTINE SPORTS PARK, 235-257 MEURANTS LANE, GLENWOOD
BLACKTOWN LEISURE CENTRE, STANHOPE PARKWAY & SENTRY DRIVE, STANHOPE GARDENS
BLACKTOWN LEISURE CENTRE
Stanhope Parkway & Sentry Drive,
Stanhope Gardens, NSW, 2768
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nationalfutsalchampionships.com.au VENUE MAPS
THELANE,
THE CENTRE, 1 PELLITT CENTRE, DURAL
DURAL
Pellitt Lane, Dural, NSW, 2158
PENRITH VALLEY REGIONAL SPORTS CENTRE
PENRITH VALLEY REGIONAL SPORTS CENTRE,
Herbert St,HERBERT ST, NSW,
Cambridge Park, CAMBRIDGE
2747 PARK, NSW, 2747
footballaustralia.com.au 7
2018 RETROSPECTIVE 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships
BY RUSS GIBBS
B lue was very much the colour at the 2017
FFA National Futsal Championships held in
Canberra, as NSW Thunder plundered seven of the
of the older age grade match-ups. Stevan Stanic-
Floody was at the double for the victors, as was
Peter Grozocs.
available eleven titles on an epic Finals day held
at the iconic Australian Institute of Sport Arena In a break from the NSW Thunder dominance, the
in the national Capital. The light Blues proved to Girls U15 Final went the way of NSW Country North
be almost unbeatable across all age grades with as a solitary goal from Brooke Kennedy, struck
their slick, fast-paced Futsal and clinical eye for just before the interval, proved enough to see off
goal setting them apart from their peers. the challenge of Queensland Metro. That theme
continued across the Boy’s competition as local
There was glory for others as well of course, for heroes, Capital Football, eased past NSW Lightning
that is the beauty of a sport in which the best 3-1 to claim the victory in a physical contest. The
performing side doesn’t always get their just outstanding Zachary Barbatano was joined on the
rewards. A moment of individualism, of which there scoresheet by Leon Michl and Nikola Jadric in the
were many across a memorable and excitement home town win.
packed week in Canberra, brought silverware to
NSW Country North, Capital Football, Victoria and Goals from Thomas Fogarty and Joshua Allen
the enthusiastic multi-skilled Solomon Islanders. gave the Victorians in the crowd something to
cheer about at U16 Boys level as Victoria knocked
It was the guests from the Pacific Islands that set the off NSW Lightening 2-0 in an even contest. Both
tone for Finals day, a warm, often humid experience goals came in the second half and were warmly
in the Arena for both players, spectators and staff greeted by a partisan and noisy Victorian following.
alike. The U12 Boys Final kicked off proceedings Meanwhile, the Girls U17 tournament was settled
with an eleven-goal thriller leaving a lot for the by a single strike, netted by Lauren Pruscino after
succeeding showpiece events to follow. The drama eleven minutes as NSW Thunder saw off Lightning
seemed highly unlikely when the Solomon Islands in a derby.
led 5-1 at the interval but the Thunder, for whom
the week had brought plenty of goals, refused to It was Thunder who would go on to claim the big
bow down. prizes as well, Ashlie Crofts’ eighth-minute goal was
enough for Thunder to edge Lightning 1-0 in the
Late goals from Daanish Awaz and Rhys Youlley U19 Women’s Grand Final whilst strikes from Carlos
reduced the Solomon’s lead to a goal but, despite De Oliveira, Ahmed Sweedan and Bradon Clissold
severe pressure, the NSW boys could not buckle helped Thunder to a further title in the U19 Men,
the Islanders defence for a sixth time and the the undefeated side winning a wonderful finale
visitors claimed the day’s first trophy. There was by claiming the victory over Lightning by the odd
a similar outcome in the U13 Girls Final, but with goal in five. After leading 2-0, goals from Hayden
a more prosaic pathway as a hat-trick from Ella Macerola and Joshua Ross levelled the match for
Abdul Massih helped Thunder see off their NSW Lightning only for Clissold to win it.
stablemates, the Lightning, 3-1.
Without doubt however, for all those who witnessed
Doubles from Fenn Hodgson-Yu and Jake Girdwood- it, the game of the day proved to be the Open Mixed
Reich helped the NSW Thunder U13 Boys hold on AWD showdown between NSW Thunder and Capital
for an exciting 6-4 win over NSW Lightning in their Football. A seven-goal thriller with stunning strikes,
Grand Final, the underdogs Lightning pushing amazing saves and blistering Futsal had the crowd
their more-fancied opponents the whole way, with purring and on the edge of their seats throughout.
Clayton Taylor bagging a goal in each half for the Only a thrilling goal from Rocco Musumeci settled
vanquished team. it, 4-3, in favour of the heavy favourites who were
pushed to the very limit by a game, and adrenalin-
There was little trouble for the all-conquering fuelled, home outfit.
NSW Thunder in the Boys U14 Final as they simply
swamped Lightning, hammering their opponents
6-0 in an effervescent display that was widely
appreciated by the watching crowd that, by this
stage of Grand Final day, was building nicely ahead
8
nationalfutsalchampionships.com.au TEAM LISTS
U12 BOYS CAPITAL FOOTBALL U12 BOYS FFSA BLUE U12 BOYS FFSA RED
1 Dylan Peraic-Cullen 1 Luke Stacey 1 Thomas Ebourne
2 Ali Osman 2 Joseph Garreffa 2 Ali Al Hakeem
3 William McCloskey 3 Samuel Guffogg 3 Mitchell Betterman
4 Cristian Barresi 4 Blake Mammone 4 Brody Burkitt
5 Hugh McGhie 5 Shalin Nanayakkara 5 Luca Fabrizio
6 Joshua Milicevic 6 Sebastian Ratcliffe 6 Fabian Grelli
7 Parris Bangweni 7 Jaxon Taylor-Williams 7 Luka Dobrovolski
8 Riley Zsuzsa 8 Nicholas Vatenos 8 Hussein Naji
9 Michael Paragalli 9 Cooper Wellington 9 Ruben Lawrie
10 Liam Cook 12 Sebastian Zajaczkowski 12 Luca Schiava
Coach: Scott O’Donell Coach: Benjamin Howard Coach: Leonardo Silva
Team Manager: Marie Irrgang Team Manager: Liber Milans
U12 BOYS FNSW COUNTRY U12 BOYS FNSW LIGHTNING U12 BOYS FNSW STORM
1 Aaron Hage 1 Caleb Ashton 1 George Frousalias
2 Cody Cramer 2 Leo Latter 2 Sebastian Mileto
3 Joshua Davison 3 Ankith Revaiah 3 Ethan Di Giacomo
4 Fletcher Gapes 4 Tiago Quintal 4 Mikah Chilas
5 Max Gillespie 5 Andre Rizgalla 5 Lucas Novaretti
6 Joshua Surian 6 Evangelos Kalamvokis 6 Ryan Molnar
7 Bailey Morrissey 7 Thomas Hynes 7 Connor Smith
8 Jake Fattore 8 Lucas Ilijanic 8 Evan Ilijanic
9 Kallum Bouffler 9 Junaid Codmani 9 Jordan Carle
10 Dominik Maka Coach: Jamie Dib 10 Kristian Mijic
Coach: Stanley (Robin) Hall Coach: Danny Beauchamp
U12 BOYS QUEENSLAND METRO U12 BOYS WA BLACK SWANS U12 BOYS SOLOMON ISLANDS
1 Nash Walker 1 Zane Ban Peter Haro Koroimae
2 Mitchell Rust 2 David Csontos 2 Junior Solomon
3 Max Wise 3 Ben Michael 3 Charles Kinole
4 Kai Pyyvaara 4 Santiago Flores 4 Jayroll Patty
5 Aru Onozuka 5 Daniel Bennie 5 Allen Taloga
6 Jordan Richardson 6 Taylor Wright 6 Abraham Junior Iniga
7 Matthew Bensaci 7 Benjamin Heppenstall 7 Junior Lesley
8 Oscar McComisky 8 Nicholas Pereira 8 Jayden Henry Lamani
9 Zachary Roulston 9 Dean Smythe 9 Kenwood Boe Konofilia
16 Carter Buick 10 Gert Prinsloo 10 Sanjay Beuka
Coach: Bruno Cannavan Coach: Salv Todaro Coach: Dickson Kadau
Team Manager: John Buick Team Manager: Tanya Kruck Coach: Sina Darowane Siosi
Manager: Luke Montgomery
Manager: Daniel Polkinghorne
footballaustralia.com.au *TEAM LISTINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGE 9
TEAM LISTS 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships
U12 BOYS FNSW THUNDER U12 BOYS FV MAGIC U12 BOYS FV RANGERS
1 Samuel Haythornthwaite 1 Michael Vonja 1 James Cheung
2 Oliver Randazzo 2 Hur Ali Doostizadah 2 Michael Georgakopoulos
3 Leandro Carle 3 Ethan Fox 3 Samuel Grella
4 Peter Marinos 4 Giani Galanos 4 Ben Jackson
5 Wataru Kamijo 5 Lucas Green 5 Theodore Limberis
6 Hugo Mezei 6 Luke Lazos 7 Edward Oliver
7 Mansour Elmasri 7 Orlando Lopez 8 Joseph Pezzano
8 Stefan Simonoski 8 Aiden McGrath 9 Baqir Rahimi
9 Sebastian Hayward 9 James Parissis 10 Benjamin Silva
10 Dean Plessas 10 Hiru Weerasinghe Coach: Michael Schaffner
Coach: Oscar Gonzalez Coach: Dietmar Schaffner Team Manager: David Broadbent
Team Manager: Harry Parker
U13 GIRLS CAPITAL FOOTBALL U13 GIRLS FNSW COUNTRY U13 GIRLS FFSA
1 Georgia Ritchie 1 Kate Pelle 1 Isabella Calvanese
2 Bessie Riethmuller 2 Cameron Janssen 2 Ruby De Pieri
3 Charli Gregson 3 Bree Lyons 3 Sian Dewey
4 Kiara Meza 4 Mischa Northeast 4 Stella Dracopoulos
5 Jada Lamond 5 Eliza-Jane Norris 5 Jonti Fisher
6 Luella Coleman 6 Tegan Bertolissio 6 Mikayla Librandi
7 Ella Palframan 7 Claire Foley 7 Ailin Marshall
8 Audrey McLaren 8 Christina Kiceec 8 Florence Russell
9 Reilly Yuen 9 Ruby Lloyd 9 Claire Scarpin
10 Tiarna Ruberto 10 Maddison Swatridge 12 Libby Davy
Coach: Eddie Senatore Coach: Mark Nestovic Coach: Gary McGrath
Team Manager: Alexia Scalzi
U13 GIRLS FNSW COUNTRY NORTH U13 GIRLS FNSW LIGHTNING U13 GIRLS FNSW THUNDER
1 Halle Eick 1 Ivana Rozman 1 Thea Draganova
2 Tara Cousins 2 Emily Brewster 2 Ella Abdul Massih
3 Ruby Daniluck 3 Leah Burton 3 Tahlia Voskanian
4 Josie Allan 4 Chelsea Barton 4 Alice Thompson
5 Alisha Ingrey 5 Adelaide Wyrzynski 5 Daniella Naeimi
6 Zoe Karipidis 6 Avaani Prakash 6 Abigail Saba
7 Amber Ford 7 Alexia Saltirov 7 India Breier
8 Saffron Grass 8 Donelle Moore 8 Chantelle Maniti
9 Shanti Stuart 9 Milly Boughton 9 Alessandra Valle
10 Grace Kingett 10 Chloe Tseros 10 Kyara O’Brien
Coach: Daniel Campbell Coach; Peter Nowakowski Coach: Harrison Bagot
10 *TEAM LISTINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGEnationalfutsalchampionships.com.au TEAM LISTS
U13 GIRLS FV U13 GIRLS QLD METRO U13 BOYS WA BLACK SWANS
1 Ruby Samild 1 Kaitlin McCormack 1 Jack McCay
2 Amelia Bingley 2 Charlie Gibson 2 Noah Cook
3 Madeline Cook 3 Josie Rowell 3 Dylan Di Toro
4 Neah Ascott 4 Grace Hampson 4 Danysh Taufik
5 Aggela Dimos 5 Sariah Downman 5 William Hocking
6 Niki Galanos 6 Olivia Camage 6 Stanley Brown
7 Katia Martin 7 Kathryn Sherar 7 Lutfil Hadi Afandi
8 Bianca Sguario 8 Jemma-Dee Allen 8 Samuel Lawless
9 Charlotte Tsitas 9 Maya Wiltsche 9 Fletcher Reid
10 Bella Vanzo 16 MacKenzie Nielsen 10 Roberto Salas
Coach: Liesl Woods Coach: Paul Owen Coach: Victor Brauner
Team Manager: Jordyn Nelson Team Manager: Samantha Owen Team Manager: Osric Powell
U13 BOYS CAPITAL FOOTBALL U13 BOYS FFSA BLUE U13 BOYS FFSA RED
1 Sebastian Arranz 1 Ashton Rinaldo 1 Summer Justham
2 Angus Pitkin 2 Ethan Allison 2 Liam D’Aloia
3 James Northcote 3 Juan Cruz Arrua 3 John-Luke Gagliardi
4 Joshua Hedditch 4 Daniel Borg 4 Thomas George
5 Max Trushell 5 Gabriel Bowering 5 Lennox Gibson
7 Thomas Hundy 6 Owen Bowering 6 Yianni Linardakis
8 Thomas Larkham 7 Cael Green 7 Luca Schmitt
9 Harley Harris 8 Kacper Nowicki 8 James O’Toole
Coach: Mark O’Neill 9 Asher Nye 9 Koji Tamakuni-Keast
Coach: Philip Booth 12 Angus Lockhart 12 Calen McCormick
Coach: Michael Gallagher Coach: Neil Styles
Team Manager: Firas Shahin Team Manager: Isabella Ricciardi
U13 BOYS FNSW STORM U13 BOYS FNSW COUNTRY U13 BOYS FNSW CONTRY NORTH
1 Connor Gargoulo 2 Kobe Tavares 1 Nicholas Khoury
2 Saxon Hillyer 3 Noah Hunter 2 Tyler Beric
3 Ben Stander 4 Noah Tracey 3 Taye Hedley
4 Corey Cronin 5 Hugh Jenkins 4 Xavier Bertoncello
5 James Hampton 6 Kian Koopelian 5 William Eick
6 William McIntosh 7 Jarvis Marat 6 Kayden Soper
7 Kyah Williams 8 Aswin Gurung 7 Harry Peek
8 Joseph Hatem 9 Bryce Falepau 8 Riley Vanharen
9 William Miranda 10 Jai Whitton 9 Jerome Abrahams
10 Christian Marjanovic Coach: Andrew Fearnley Coach: Gabriel Abdala
Coach: Brett Hewit
footballaustralia.com.au *TEAM LISTINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGE 11TEAM LISTS 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships
U13 BOYS FNSW LIGHTNING U13 BOYS FNSW THUNDER U13 BOYS FV
1 Jai Wright 1 Max Vartuli 1 Damian Barbanera
2 Cameron Duong 2 Connor Stamatis 2 Abdul-Rahman Ayad
3 Lucas Lesar 3 Rhys Youlley 3 Oliver Holland
4 George Papadakis 4 William Faulder 4 Edan Bavelock
5 Leonardo Maksimovich 5 Zane Schreiber 5 Michael Guerra
6 Sebastian Kiceec 6 Adrian Pini 6 Xavier Fernandez
7 Toby Dance 7 Daanish Awaz 7 Aston Askew
8 Abdulrahman Ajaj 8 Maisam Awaz 8 James Georgiou
9 Benjamin Caroutas 9 Kensuke Oka 9 Felix McArthur
10 Flynn Horley 10 Steven Kriezis 10 Luke Mensink
Coach: Jordan Guerreiro Coach: Brett Hewit Coach: Joshua Pulvirenti
Team Manager Stephen Gustus
U13 BOYS QLD METRO U14 BOYS QLD METRO U14 BOYS WA BLACK SWANS
1 Nicholas Stevens 1 James Khan 1 Kyle Hasell
2 Noah Maieroni 2 Caden Penniket 2 Jamie Bucat
3 Elijah Eustace 3 Ethan Benigno 3 Joshua Bosevski
4 Liam Tan 4 Luke Broderick 4 Cameron Reid
5 Jack Maher 5 Alexander Kiers 5 Clayton Jones
6 Nathan Cort 6 Maxx Demerutis 6 Ricardo Lino
7 Cristian Cartisano 7 Dyce Robertson 7 Ben Henley
8 Bailey Brandtman 8 Diesel Herrington 8 Luke McLaren
9 Kaidin Dawson 9 Samuel Keogan 9 Ivan Montana
16 Luke Debnam 16 Connor Damsma 10 Benjamin Thorpe
Coach: Mohammad Reghabi Coach: Scott Prickett Coach: Alex Herrera
Team Manager:Mitchell Bridge Team Manager;Russell Prickett Team Manager: Clive Wokum
U14 BOYS CAPITAL FOOTBALL U14 BOYS FFSA BLUE U14 BOYS FFSA RED
1 Callan Amey 1 Jack Bates-Brownsword 1 Liem O’Donohue
2 Ethan Yuen 2 Alex Griffiths 2 Liam Overall
3 Cassidy Tanddo 3 Angus McPharlin 3 Ned Styles
4 Matej Busek 4 Braxton Meinel 4 Ryan Diamantis
5 Daniel Anderson 5 Matthew Ortmann 5 Joshua Swan
6 Noah Fior 6 Francesco Schimizzi 6 Jacob Jones
7 Noah Logan 7 Ryley Schroeder 7 Sebastian Tuohy
8 Deacon Palombi 8 Jai Shipton 8 Adrian Duffy
9 Bradley Malone 9 William Smith 9 Daniel Bradshaw-Scott
Coach: Mark O’Neill 12 Henry Page 12 Samuel Crouch
Coach: Philip Booth Coach: Stephen Garden Coach: Christopher Higgins
Team Manager: Emilio Librandi Team Manager: Mitchell Higgins
12 *TEAM LISTINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGEnationalfutsalchampionships.com.au TEAM LISTS
U14 BOYS FNSW COUNTRY BLUE U14 BOYS FNSW COUNTRY WHITE U14 BOYS FNSW LIGHTNING
1 Joshua Moore 1 Hudson Boatswain 1 Emlyn Cross
2 Oliver MacNair 2 James Batshon 2 Byron Kay
3 Joshua Lyons 3 Matthew Cassidy 3 Matthew Brewster
4 Jack Page 4 Nathan Della Libera 4 Alvin-John Khoshaba
5 Taye Power-O’Toole 5 Joshua Hooker 5 Lucas Kotevski
6 Kobie Close 6 Lachlan Carty 6 Benjamin Georgievski
7 Brad Da Silva 7 Logan Gordan 7 William Arnold
8 Silas Barberie 8 Liam Coulson-Knight 8 Callum Powell
9 Samson Lucas 9 William English 9 Hamza Sweedan
10 Jonathan Mulhearn 10 Toby Priestman 10 Andrew Parkin
Coach: Michael Babic Coach: Mark Cotter Coach: Ferdinand Maniti
U14 BOYS FNSW THUNDER U14 BOYS FV U15 GIRLS WA BLACK SWANS
1 Dimitri Makapagkal 1 Jack Oliver 1 Indianna Casilli
2 Daniel Bosnich 2 Angus Angelatos 2 Taneesha Baker
3 Marcus Mallard 3 Gerry Angelatos 3 Jordyne Dale
4 Jake Girdwood-Reich 4 Joshua De Leo 4 Natasha Tanner
5 Clayton Taylor 5 Jack Doulgeridis 5 Kahlina Rojas
6 Joseph Calusic 6 Joseph Feldman 6 Erin Hannaway
7 Dylan Gil 7 Matthew Gibbons 7 Claudia Hocking
8 Stefano Rossello 8 Michael Hynes 8 Molly Lenton
9 Jett McCue-Shore 9 Mark Kihara 9 Daisy McAllister
10 Edan Walker 10 Leon Martin 10 Lalayna Richardson
Coach: Steven Tzanakes Coach: Kon Kyranakis Coach: Jess Sardi
Team Manager: Tolga Akturk Team Manager: Garry Church
U15 GIRLS CAPITAL FOOTBALL U15 GIRLS FFSA U15 GIRLS FNSW STORM
1 Jayla Murphy 1 Hunter Strudwick 1 Lilly Thomas
2 Meg Roden 2 Natalie Frantzis 2 Renee Houliaras
3 Tayla Hampson 3 Emily Gale 3 Zoe Anderson
4 Aurelia Haynes 4 Mia McGranaghan 4 Mia Domine
5 Paige Gregson 5 Sophie McGrath 5 Felicity McNeill
6 Teah Hayes 6 Hayley Needs 6 Olivia Mitchell
7 Stefi Lejins 7 Julia Paneras 7 Kiara Holyoake-Caceda
8 Ayla Robertson 8 Charly Phillips 8 Lucca Taylor
9 Jade Brown 9 Nicola Scalzi 9 Lucia White
10 Jenny Hill 10 Madison Phillips 10 Ryna Prasad
Coach: John Jiggins Coach: Tony Mansueto Coach: Ernesto Bivona
Team Manager: Jeanette Chappel
footballaustralia.com.au *TEAM LISTINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGE 13TEAM LISTS 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships
U15 GIRLS FNSW COUNTRY U15 GIRLS FNSW COUNTRY NORTH U15 GIRLS FNSW LIGHTNING
1 Sian Johnson 2 Mia Bales 1 Jessica Rocchetto
2 Zoe Peters 3 Leah O’Hagan 2 Aurelia Collins
3 Cushla Rue 4 Amy Parkinson 3 Keira Danes
4 Amelia Sargeant 5 Kimberly Trappett 4 Peyton Crye
5 Kate Duffy 6 Emma Bates 5 Madeleine Malone
6 Luella Boulton 7 Leia Puxty 6 Pene Bonovas
7 Tess Vaccari 8 Alannah Russell 7 Bronte Connolly
8 Casey Johnson 9 Chloe Smith 8 Claudia Cicco
9 Bronte Wright 10 Annabella Thornton 9 Clare Holder
10 Ebony Warner-Chilstone Coach: Ryan Campbell 10 Bianca Musumeci
Coach: Samuel Gray Asst Coach: Winston Oku Coach: Melanie Keith
Team Manager: Lija Turner Carroll
U15 GIRLS FNSW THUNDER U15 GIRLS FV U15 GIRLS QLD METRO
1 April Lewis 1 Emma Olsen 1 Keva Culkin
2 Estelle Fragale 2 Tate Ascott 2 Candice Lavis
3 Tara Baudana 3 Erica Brown Yamada 3 Georgia McNamara
4 Gisella Pipino 4 Inez Comerford 4 Serenity Thake
5 Darcey Malone 5 Ondine Giummarra 5 Annika Paulsen
6 Scarlet Thomas 6 Sydney James 6 Abby Vester
7 Amelia Savetta 7 Skylar Munyard 7 Maya Woodcock
8 Olivia Schembri 8 Sophie Vosnidis 8 Amaliah Mangungu
9 Bryleeh Henry 9 Taylor James 9 Jaimee Taylor
10 Amity Jackson 12 Sacha Kenna 10 Elly Rowell
Coach: Demelza Howard Coach: Rebecca Davies Coach: Connor George
Team Manager: Hanna Gutkin Team Manager: Jaye-Marie Finocchiaro
U15 BOYS WA BLACK SWANS U15 BOYS CAPITAL FOOTBALL U15 BOYS FFSA
1 Brennan Bragg 1 Jason De Gier 1 Lachlan Nottle
2 James Toth 2 Aidan Milicevic 2 Lachlan Hewson
3 Sacha Drew 3 Bailey Sorenson 3 Enock Ipassou
4 Jacob Forsyth 4 William Buckmaster 4 Latphar Leon Lomloy
5 Baden Gray 5 Sebastian Woods 5 Panashe Madanha
6 Carl Jankowitz 6 Riley Brown 6 William Mitev
7 Sebastian Casilli 7 Daniel Galic 7 Mohammad Mohtashami
8 Jake Pinto 8 Maxx Green 8 Keshav Shrestha
9 Kylan Watson 9 Michael Galic 9 Alexander Tsimopoulos
19 Henry Wylde 10 Callum Cook Coach: Cristiano Dos Santos Rodrigues
Coach: Miguel De La Fuente 11 Luca Florez Team Manager: Michelle Tsimopoulos
Team Manager: Clive Wokum Coach: Zdravko Milicevic
Asst Coach: Brady Nixon
14 *TEAM LISTINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGEnationalfutsalchampionships.com.au TEAM LISTS
U15 BOYS FNSW COUNTRY U15 BOYS FNSW LIGHTNING U15 BOYS FNSW THUNDER
1 Tarkan Calay 1 George Gee 1 Ross Skiadaresi
2 Thomas Dunn 2 Cameron Deguara 2 Lee Thoroughgood
4 Joonas McDermott 3 Kaidyn Wright 3 Gustav Soerensen
5 Jonathan Codemo 4 Jordan Ford 4 Dean Skiadaresis
6 William Polkinghorne 5 Fenn Hodgson-Yu 5 Joel Bertolissio
7 Alexander Robinson 6 Reynen Lancaster 6 James Oliver Khoury
8 Cooper Stormonth 7 Joshua Cole 7 Dylan Kanjo
9 Kai Watts 8 Jared Macerola 8 Corby Fowler
10 Corey Hedges 9 Justin Chan Frias 9 Joshua Field
Coach: Adam Scimone 10 Vasos Kartambis 10 Tomas Butkovic
Coach: Charlie Mellino Coach: Lachlan Wright
U15 BOYS FV U15 BOYS QLD METRO U16 BOYS WA BLACK SWANS
1 Luc Evans 1 Gabriel Murray 1 Jason Quintiliani
2 James Athanasopoulos 2 Jacob Lombardo 2 Ryan Ellison
3 Nivan Gill 3 Patrick Simpson 3 Liam Ellison
4 Joshua Jackson 4 James Connolly 4 Ramtin Ghassemifar
5 Francis Mah 5 Ethan Leighton 5 Sebastian Hooshangian
6 Antoni Mamos 6 Julio Da Silva 6 Daniel McMullan
7 Christopher Markovski 7 Joshua Thomas 7 Khairulanwar Afandi
8 Omar Saadeedine 8 Asobasi Wilberforce 8 Joel Di Toro
9 Hamza Soueid 9 Godwill Ago Thomas-Remijo 9 Marko Bulatovic
10 Adam Walker 16 Joshua Morwood 10 Benjamin Mikhael
11 Billy Diplaros Coach: George Lethbridge Coach: Wazeem Omar
14 Gus Currie Team Manager: Rafael De Lima Team Manager: Garry Church
Coach: Kogulan Sabaratnam
Team Manager: Jake Ten Hacken
U16 BOYS FFSA U16 BOYS FNSW COUNTRY U16 BOYS FNSW LIGHTNING
1 Julian Kowalczyk 1 Jack Hunter 1 Carlos Barriga
2 Jonathan Kasmeridis 2 Lachlan Strahan 2 Benjamin Nguyen
3 Abou Keita 3 Mitchell Cooper 3 Nicholas Bakopoulos
4 Aiden Le 4 Benjamin Hurley 4 Connor Hewit
5 Mitchell Miller 5 Oliver Park 5 Cody Peluso
6 Ned Poole 6 Luca Ross 6 Jacob Tanevski
7 Bradley Ramsey 7 Reece Preston 7 Samuel Tzanakes
8 Sam Styles 8 Kye Halloway 8 Cooper Halfpenny
9 Jordan Velthuizen-Kuchel 9 Jadyn Slater 9 Milos Anic
12 Nicholas Devlin 10 Harrison Saunders 10 Riley Nicholl
Coach: David Nye Coach: Callum Christie Coach: Raffaele Capasso
Team Manager: Allison Griffiths
footballaustralia.com.au *TEAM LISTINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGE 15TEAM LISTS 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships
U16 BOYS FNSW THUNDER U16 BOYS FV U16 BOYS QLD METRO
1 Josh Winckle 1 Todd Nicolopoulos 1 Connor Robinson
2 Jacob Debien 2 Adam Ayad 2 Kieran Lord
3 Rocco Mellino 3 Marcus Fernandez 3 Jordan Zappala
4 Giovanini Pannuccio 4 Louis Hasapis 4 Benjamin Bordin
5 Jack Herdman 5 Abdulbaari Hussein 5 Connor Demerutis
6 Peter Politis 6 Loukman Khodr 6 Max Horvath
7 Peter Grozos 7 James Norbury 7 Luke O’Brien
8 Noah Vidler 8 Daniel Triantopoulos 8 Owain Myers
9 Tyson Black 9 Sebastian Wickert 9 Drew Boylan
10 Sasha Chilas 12 Andre Markov 16 Bryn Grigg
Coach; Bobby Mazevski Coach: Jaroslav Dedic Coach: Jeremy Stewart
Team Manager: Jalal Soueid Team Manager: Justin Morrison
U17 GIRLS QLD METRO U17 GIRLS CAPITAL FOOTBALL U17 GIRLS FFSA
1 Lateisha Wilkins 1 Sally James 1 Konstantina Theodorakos
2 Sarah Holland 2 Stella De Marco 2 Gabriella Demarco
3 Izabella Milen 3 Lily Martens 3 Annie Green
4 Dominique Spampinato 4 Ella-Rose Brown 4 Kiara Librandi
5 Lucy Rowell 5 Ellen Brown 5 Millie Scott
6 Madison Lockwood 6 Bronte Pyke 6 Jessica Signoriello
7 Chloe Hutton 7 Stephanie Hedditch 7 Amber-May Smith
8 Estella Mazzoni 8 Maria Pachi 8 Ellie Sparrow
9 Isabelle Harris 9 Lucy D’Arcy 9 Zoe Tolland
16 Talia Huffaker 10 Alex McKenzie 12 Erin Murphy
Coach: Craig Lockwood Coach: Nicholas Van Aalst Coach: Antonio Scalzi
Team Manager: Samantha Edwards Team Manager: Sharee McNamara
U17 GIRLS FNSW COUNTRY U17 GIRLS FNSW LIGHTNING U17 GIRLS FNSW THUNDER
1 Emma Racz 1 Ashley Purcell 1 Emma Vandervelde
2 Lucy Berryman 2 Gemma Gray 2 Lara Bosnich
3 Tia Lyons 3 Abbey Lemon 3 Ella Goodwin
4 Sophie Emery 4 Chloe Gordon 4 Isabella Said
5 Kiarnie Latham 5 Greta Kraszula 5 Victoria Martin
6 Rosie Sullivan 6 Natalie Vukovic 6 Maryam Mostaghimi
7 Taniesha Angelkovski 7 Rachel Bagot 7 Laura Montiel
9 Breanna McCormack 8 Caitlin Orridge 8 Vesna Milivojevic
10 Jordan Weizman 9 Monique Holder 9 Heidi Caspers
Coach: Candace Lim 10 Luisa Rocchetto 10 Chantelle Symes
Coach: Tiana Gauci Coach: Mark Cotter
16 *TEAM LISTINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGEnationalfutsalchampionships.com.au TEAM LISTS
U17 GIRLS FNSW COUNTRY NORTH U19 MEN QLD METRO U19 MEN FNSW COUNTRY
2 Hannah Jones 1 Rex Pollock 1 Jeremy Reed
3 Brooke Kennedy 2 Jack Greenland 2 Nicholas Boyd
4 Rachel Duffin 3 Kaelan Debbage 3 Max Peters
5 Josie Morley 4 Rhys Buick 4 Sebastian Arancibia
6 Yasmin Popovic 5 Jack Bolton 5 Hamish Inglis
7 Bella-Jade Carlisle 6 Oliver Blackmore 6 Cameron Jeffery
8 Brianna Trappett 7 Jez Lofthouse 7 James Lowe
9 Chelsea Williams 8 Tomas Croft 8 Thomas Lynch
10 Tiahna Robertson 9 Connor Lewis 9 Matias Burns
Coach: Kerry Conquest 10 Jake Tipaldo 10 Gareth Veitch
11 Taj Hudson Coach: Douglas McKenzie
16 Jakob Damsma
Coach: Yoel Jogiono
Team Manager: Michael McCone
U19 MEN FNSW THUNDER U19 MEN FNSW LIGHTNING
1 Liam Polinsky 1 Jack Vandervelde
2 Mitchell Ward 2 Andrew Holder
3 Emmanuel Tzanakes 3 Santino Swanson Manuel
4 Eden Caudwell 4 Ali Ahmadi
5 Euan Thum-Davidson 5 Luis Ferreira
6 Ethan De Melo 6 Declan Cotter
7 Michael Borg 7 Alexander Purves
8 Timothy Scott 8 Jayden Smileski
9 Thomas Quilligan 9 Lucas Rainbird
10 Oskar Beck 10 Mitchell Tran
Coach: Miles Downie Coach: Jamie Amendolia
footballaustralia.com.au *TEAM LISTINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGE 17OPEN AGE AWD MIXED 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships
In what has become
one of the major
‘must-see’ parts of the
FFA National Futsal
Championships, the
Athlete’s with Disability
(AWD) tournament has
continued to go from
strength to strength
showcasing the skills
and abilities of some
outstanding talent.
CAPITAL FOOTBALL FFSA FNSW LIGHTNING
1 Cameron Gudgeon 1 Xavier White 1 Philip Nicholson
2 Andrew Hoatson 2 Dylan Cotton 2 John Ruiz
3 Adam Cunningham 3 Jamin Wilson-Eglinton 3 Michael Dooley
4 Mark Olivieri 4 Paul Leikas 4 David Evans
5 Patrick Heath Jeffery 5 Jordy Henderson Ross 6 Alexander Hernandez
6 Christian Valeri 6 Rhys Baker 7 Michael Wade
7 Jason Richard Driscoll 7 Samuel Mills 8 Sara Fezzuoglio
8 Adrian Araya 8 Bradley Bettens 9 Harry Woodhouse
Coach: Bernie To 9 Eric Melton 10 Rodney Afif
Assistant Coach: Greg Hibberd 10 Kosta Katianos-Nemes Coach: Danny Obradors
Team Manager: Merryn Brown Coach: Igor Ferrari Negrao
Team Manager: Amanda Warren
FNSW THUNDER QLD METRO TASMANIA
1 Nathan Whalen 2 Cameron Brazier 3 Brodie Leslie
2 Patrick Mitchell 3 Joshua Long 4 Hayden Hill
3 Goki Saito 4 Trent Warner 6 George Kearnes
4 Blake Eagleson 5 Liam Glavas 7 Zane Cornelius
6 Rocco Musumeci 6 Adrian Visscher 8 Timothy Dixon
7 Craig Muhlbock 7 Adam Knust 11 Bradley O’Neill-Geeves
8 Bradley Southwell 8 Jayden Mason 12 Justin Nilon
9 Dion Kalogiros 9 Abigayle Gabriel-Metta 13 Alan Dengate
10 Katelyn Smith Coach: Trudy Bartlett 14 Jessica Holmes
Coach: Greg Brown Assistant Coach: Troy Doolan 16 Melissa Phillips
Team Manager: Lisa Somerville Coach: Steven Ockerby
Team Manager: Lorna Wilson
18nationalfutsalchampionships.com.au TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS
HEADING
TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS SUBHEAD
T he FFA National Futsal Championship isn’t just
about the players. This week will see a number
of Australia’s finest and up-and-coming Futsal match
These coaches provide a valuable service to the
tournament officials, being on hand at the venues to
give feedback to the officials at the conclusion of their
officials take charge of the hundreds of games matches and to monitor the progress of the officials
taking place throughout Sydney. The opportunity to across the week in order to help them improve and
officiate at the FFA National Futsal Championships take home practical refereeing tips that they can utilise
is a huge honour and can provide a stepping stone throughout their refereeing career.
for these match officials to further their individual
representative careers. The evaluation process throughout the week plays a
major part in the selection process of match officials for
With a number of matches scheduled across multiple the Grand Final day.
venues, the referees will have little time for rest over the
course of an intensive week-long tournament.
All officials at the FFA National Futsal Championship
will receive training and debriefing from a number of
experienced referee coaches attending the tournament.
2019 FFA NATIONAL FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS
MALE FUTSAL REFEREES
Thomas Gellatly ACT Jackson Tippett ACT Fergus White ACT
Jonathan Elkazzi NSW Jamie Ewin NSW Owen Ferguson NSW
Rowan Fisher NSW Charbel Geha NSW Nicholas Gongolidis NSW
Kyle Hockings NSW Melik Ibrahim NSW Cameron Lee NSW
Manwel Limnios NSW Anthony Mansour NSW Jake McCahon NSW
Ky Nishimura-Smirthwaite NSW Joel Perry NSW Mitchell Renton NSW
Jake Rose NSW Blake Sanchez-Cruz NSW Alex Valiente NSW
Riad Wazzi NSW Matthew Wearne NSW Luke Adams QLD
Dion Bradley QLD Jack Powers QLD Noah Reynolds QLD
Sam Turner QLD Declan Woods QLD Adam Cooper VIC
Thomas Bury NSW Nicholas Backo NSW Mitchell Battistel NSW
Alireza Cheshmeh VIC Luqman Alshammary VIC Scott Boon ACT
Pierre Brown NSW
FEMALE FUTSAL REFEREES
Hope O'Leary ACT Bianca Hogan NSW Mary Hubeek VIC
Caroline Fulton NSW Esther Perry NSW Selen Santoro NSW
Laura Hockings NSW Naveh Dvir Ovadia (VIC)
FUTSAL REFEREE ASSESSORS & COACHES
Cameron Shelton ACT Khaled Aly NSW Bruce Bailey NSW
Paul Jones NSW Adrian Tamplin NSW Zac Keenan QLD
Ross Butler QLD
footballaustralia.com.au 19POWERCHAIR FOOTBALL 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships P owerchair Football continues to grow rapidly both in New South Wales and around the country. Our Sydney competition continues to go from strength to strength, with the Newcastle Jets winning this year’s title on the final day with a victory over challengers Sydney FC in September. The Western Sydney Wanderers also reached the final of the Australian Club Championships, narrowly going down to the Brisbane Roar. New South Wales were also runners-up at the National Titles held in Brisbane in October, with Queensland once again claiming the title in a tight Grand Final 4-3. Our Development Squad continues to grow and develop, with several new athletes also playing in the Premier League competition. The Development Squad also had their first team trip in November, travelling to Canberra for a development event. They claimed a 2-0 victory over the Canberrans to end the trip. These athletes show just how exciting the future is for Powerchair Football. As with the Premier League families, this trip gave the younger players a chance to develop as players, but also to have their parents mingle with other parents and entrench the ideal of the Powerchair Football family. Football has become a real lightning rod to the players and the families and we would welcome any other interested families to give us a call. Following on from Australia reaching the semi-finals in the 2017 World Cup in Florida for the first time, Australia has also been awarded the hosting rights for the 2021 FIPFA World Cup, to be held in Sydney. This is an amazing achievement, showing just how far the sport has progressed since reaching our shores not even a decade ago. The world’s best athletes will be here in our own backyard for the culmination of many years of hard work. Football NSW have pledged their full support to the Cup, and we are working with them on the World Cup Organising Committee. 20
nationalfutsalchampionships.com.au
Official Ball of the 2019 National Futsal Championships
Supporting Sponsor
footballaustralia.com.au 21FEATURE STORY 2019 FFA National Futsal Championships
WHY PLAY FUTSAL?
M astering football is a difficult beast. Most of
you taking the time to read this article will be
more than aware of that. You might be a young
playing any sport or past-time in the first instance?
If it wasn’t fun, we wouldn’t do it, would we? But
don’t take my word for it.
player just beginning in the game, a gnarled
veteran of many an on-field battle, a fresh-faced “I play soccer, but Futsal will always be what I enjoy
most,” says Cristiano Ronaldo, five times winner of
eager coach filled with exuberance and new ideas,
FIFA’s Ballon d’Or as World Player of the Year. “My
or a grizzled old war-horse who has been around
time In Futsal was incredible and decisive in my life.
the blocks and absorbed an extortionate amount
All players should learn to play soccer by playing
of knowledge. Whichever it may be, you’re more
Futsal. During my childhood in Portugal, all we
than likely still learning.
played was Futsal. The small playing area helped
And that’s because that’s what football does. me improve my close control, and whenever
It continually teaches and is always evolving. I played Futsal, I felt free. If it wasn’t for Futsal, I
What’s new and innovative today will, no doubt be wouldn’t be the player I am today.” Apparently, that
superseded by some other school of thinking and guy knows a thing or two about football as well as
analysis tomorrow. But there does seem to be one over 500 career goals testifies.
constant throughout the last decade, and one that Futsal isn’t just for giggles though, although enough
some areas seem reluctant to embrace. The role of recreational players of the game will tell you that is
Futsal in developing more rounded individuals. more than enough. The sport helps develop stars
So, what is it about this small-sided version of the of tomorrow and can be a massively important
sport that makes it so revered throughout the coaching tool when used correctly and as a means
majority of the professional game? Well, for start, to an end in association with further training. It can
its fun! And isn’t fun that what drives people to be be, and is, a fantastic learning tool.
The smaller spaces, confined area and smaller
goals, mean that participants need to move quicker,
be more perceptive of space, get more touches on
the ball and are constantly involved when on the
court. Indeed, there is no place to hide on the Futsal
court and it’s a place where talent can be freely
expressed whilst nurturing the fundamentals that
will make foe a better player.
“In Soccer and Futsal you must find a solution before
the ball arrives,” Leo Beenhakker, famously coach
of Dutch giants Feyenoord and the National Team
Manager of Poland from 2006-2009 commented.
“Everything is faster in the head now, so you have
less time to think so Futsal is the best way of
learning the game. Young players in particular can
learn a huge amount from Futsal.”
Beenhakker’s not the only one that thinks that way
either. Spanish duo Andres Iniesta and Xavi bossed
the midfield for club, FC Barcelona, and country,
Spain, during the last decade racking up medals
and trophies and basically winning everything
there was to win including the pinnacle of it all –
the FIFA World Cup.
“Soccer and Futsal have a lot in common,” Iniesta,
who won 131 caps for his country and represented
Spain at U15, U16, U17, U19 and U21, said when
22nationalfutsalchampionships.com.au FEATURE STORY
BY RUSS GIBBS
talking about the game. “They share mastering the more than their fair share of superstar talent with
ball, combining and making quick decisions. I think the best of the best extolling the virtues of Futsal.
Futsal is a fun sport, but also difficult because it is
so intense.” “Futsal is extremely important for kids developing
skills and understanding,” the former Barcelona
“In Soccer you can’t always identify talent since and Paris St. Germain star Ronaldinho said. “My
soccer can be more physical,” his teammate for club touch and dribbling come from playing Futsal. A
and country Xavi, equally as decorated with 133 lot of the moves I make originate from Futsal. It’s
caps, commented. “In Futsal you notice the small played in a very small space, and the ball control
details in quality, class and tactical understanding.” is different in the game. And to this day my ball
It’s perhaps no surprise that Spain are considered control is pretty similar to a Futsal player’s control.”
one of the World’s pre-eminent Futsal nations
being one of only three nations to win the FIFA If that wasn’t enough to convince you of the
Futsal World Cup. benefits of Futsal, perhaps some words from Lionel
Messi might be. The pint-sized Argentinean genius,
Argentina were the latest to add their name to
who has broken record after record in a glittering
the list, winning the 2016 edition in Colombia, a
tournament in which our own Futsalroos stood tall career, had this to say of the sport he doted on as
being controversially denied a place in the Round of a young up-and-coming player with Newell’s Old
16 by a rogue handball decision that did not fall in Boys in his homeland. “As a little boy in Argentina, I
their favour in their final group match with Ukraine. played Futsal on the streets and for my club. It was
tremendous fun, and it really helped me become
Both Spain and Argentina joined the Futsal Masters, who I am today.”
Brazil, as winners of the competition with the proud
creators of Joga Bonito having laid their hands on Whilst some things in football will undoubtedly
the top prize no less than five times. Indeed, of change in the future, it is a certainty that the fertile
the eight FIFA Futsal World Cup Finals, Brazil have breeding ground of the Futsal court will continue to
taken part in six. The Brazilians, of course, produce produce and nurture the stars of tomorrow.
footballaustralia.com.au 23TOURNAMENT RESULTS & LADDERS
For daily updated tournament results, ladders and news, visit
www.nationalfutsalchampionships.com.au
/nationalfutsalchampionships
FutsalChamps
#FFAFutsalChamps
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