Back from the Futsal Naionals held in ACT from Jan 1o to Jan 14 results

■11-BOYS: Auckland Rio 4 ACT Cobras 2
■11-GIRLS: NSW Thunder 4 Victoria 2
■12-BOYS: NSW Thunder 4 NSW Lightning 3
■12-GIRLS: NSW Thunder 7 Victoria 2
■13-BOYS: Victoria 2 Solomon Islands 1
■13-GIRLS: NSW Thunder 3 ACT Cobras 0
■14-BOYS: NSW Thunder 8 Victoria 1
■14-GIRLS: NSW Thunder 6 ACT Cobras 2
■15-BOYS: NSW Thunder 6 NSW Lightning 2
■15-GIRLS: NSW Thunder 3 Queensland 1
■16-BOYS: NSW Lightning 2 NSW Thunder 0
■16-GIRLS: NSW Lightning 2 NSW Thunder 0
■ATHLETES WITH DISABILITY: Southern NSW 6 NSW Lightning 1
■YOUTH MEN: NSW Thunder 2 ACT Cobras 1
■YOUTH WOMEN: NSW Thunder 2 ACT Cobras 0
■OPEN MEN: NSW Thunder 2 Victoria 2 – Thunder win 3-2 on penalties
■OPEN WOMEN: NSW Thunder 1 ACT Cobras 0


Friday 14th January 2011
AIS Arena, Canberra, ACT

11-BOYS

Auckland Rio 4 (Ahmed Mohammadi (3), Ethan Amey) ACT Cobras 2 (Asante Addai, Luca Kmet)

A hat-trick from man of the match Ahmed Mohammadi was the highlight of Auckland Rio’s 4-2 win over the home town ACT Cobras in the Boy’s under-11 Grand Final. The visitors from New Zealand had taken the lead early on, only to be pegged back by the Cobras, before regaining the initiative before the break. An equally entertaining second stanza saw both teams going toe-to-toe as the action flashed from end to end. The Cobras never gave in and a second equaliser, netted by Asante Addai, seemed certain to send the match into extra-time. Mohammadi and his team mates had other ideas though as the Kiwis scored twice in quick succession to claim the victory. Luca Kmet had earlier scored for the ACT team whilst Ethan Amey struck Auckland’s other goal. The ACT’s Marc Tokich was named tournament MVP.

11-GIRLS

NSW Thunder 4 (Princess Ibini-Isei (2), Georgia Koutzoumis, Lissa Mumbulla) Victoria 2 (Julia Buceto, Bethany Batticciotto)

NSW Thunder proved too strong for Victoria in a wonderful second half display to run out 4-2 winners and claim the under-11 crown. The first half was an exceedingly tight affair with neither side able to gain the ascendancy and both teams going close on a number of occasions. As it was the score was level at the break at 1-1. In the second half, despite the best efforts of Victoria, the Thunder were able to pull clear and a double to Princess Ibini-Isei, later to be named player of the match, secured the victory in what was an excellent match. Georgia Koutzoumis and Lissa Mumbulla also scored for the Thunder whilst Julia Buceto and Bethany Batticciotto replied for a beaten, but far from outclassed, Victorian side that look set for a bright future. Meanwhile, Alexis Karris-Stahl from the ACT Cobras was elected tournament MVP.

12-BOYS

NSW Thunder 4 (Jordan Pyne (2), Jordan Gomez, Panayioti Armenakas) NSW Lightning 3 (Jordan Koton, Michael Kotzambasis, Brad Paikin)

A thrilling all NSW final was won by Thunder over Lightning by the odd goal in seven in a match that kept the appreciative crowd on the edge of their seats for the majority of the forty minutes. There was nothing to separate the two teams with goals being traded at regular intervals. Thunder led 3-2 at half-time and was 4-2 up shortly afterwards, inspired by the performance of player of the match Panayioti Armenakas. Armenakas netted one of the Thunder goals, no more than his outstanding display deserved, with further goals added by Jordan Gomez and a brace to Jordan Pyne. Lightning, for whom Jordan Koton, Brad Paikin and Michael Kotzambasis scored, got back to 4-3 but, despite their best efforts, couldn’t get back into the match as Thunder held on for victory. The MVP of the tournament was Matthew Wilshire of Queensland.

12-GIRLS

NSW Thunder 7 (Hannah Bacon (2), Georgia Plessas (2), Lorena Bugden, Carla Trimboli, Danielle Francis) Victoria 2 (Eleni Fakos, Jazmyn Demetri)

NSW Thunder eventually ran away with the under-12 girls’ Grand Final defeating their Victorian opposition 6-2, but the final score line doesn’t begin to tell the story of what was an absorbing clash. The game was very even in the first half with both teams trading blows and testing the respective defensive set-ups. The score was 1-1 at the break and midway through the second twenty minutes it stood at 2-2 with Eleni Fakos and Jazmyn Demetri scoring for Victoria. The Thunder though finished mush the stronger and, after going 4-2 ahead and with Victoria chasing the game were ruthless on the break. Player of the match Hannah Bacon scored twice for Thunder as did Georgia Plessas whilst there were single goals to Lorena Bugden, Carla Trimboli and Danielle Francis. Grace Malcolm of Queensland was voted the under-12 girl’s MVP.

13-BOYS

Victoria 2 (Damian Rastocic, Joshua Markovski) Solomon Islands 1 (Fred Kalimae)

Victoria ended the dream run of the Solomon Islands by triumphing 2-1 in a thrilling final. These two teams had been the standout of the competition throughout the week scoring a stack of goals and displaying some breathtaking skills to delight the enthralled crowds that have witnessed them play. And this final was no exception. All the goals came in the first half with the Solomon Islands taking the lead through Fred Kalimae before Victoria struck back via goals from Damian Rastocic and Joshua Markovski to lead 2-1 at the break. The second twenty produced many more memorable moments with both teams showing much heart and endeavour as the Solomon’s attempted to get the levelling goal. Led my player of the match Steve Jack Eroi the Islanders pressed for the goal they needed but Victoria, with Tom Pateras in inspired form, held firm to claim the win. Tournament MVP for the under-13 Boys was Brady Nixon of the ACT Colts.

13-GIRLS

NSW Thunder 3 (Ruby Mosca (2), Caitlin Murphy) ACT Cobras 0

NSW Thunder claimed their fourth title of the morning after defeating ACT Cobras 3-0 in the under-13 girl’s competition. The Thunder were simply too strong for the home town Cobras who battled valiantly throughout the match but were always chasing the game after falling behind to an early first half goal. There was much to admire in the way that the Cobras hit back and tried to retrieve the situation but, chasing the game, they were always exposed to the pace of the Thunder on the counter attack and in particular the skills of player of the match Ruby Mosca who scored twice to eventually settle a terrific match. Caitlin Murphy scored the other goal for the Thunder who displayed some fast-moving and flowing Futsal and were followed by a loud band of NSW supporters. Brittany Colbran of Queensland claimed the MVP at this age group for a series of sparkling displays throughout the week long event.

14-BOYS

NSW Thunder 8 (Shaun Irwin (4), Kristopher Vlismas (2), Robert Perre, Alexander Vlismas) Victoria 1 (Erhan Yalaz)

A four-goal haul from man of the match Shaun Irwin was the highlight of NSW Thunder’s 8-1 Grand Final thumping of Victoria. Irwin was simply sensational as he bagged a personal milestone that led his team to the title. The impressive Irwin led by example with his goals but he wasn’t alone in impressing the crowd. Kristopher Vlismas added two to the total whilst Robert Perre and Alexander Vlismas completed Thunder’s eight goal haul. The Thunder led 3-0 in at half-time and pulled away in the second half. Victoria managed a brilliant goal of their own from Erhan Yalaz who executed a superb trap and volley into the top corner but it was scant consolation to his team. Alex Tserapas of Northern NSW was rewarded for a series of consistently excellent displays by being awarded the under-14 Boys MVP.

14-GIRLS

NSW Thunder 6 (Lisa Meduri (2), Amy Dahdali (2), Alysse Tasevski, Zoe Gomez) ACT Cobras 2 (Olivia Gurney, Emma Bestek)

The NSW Thunder’s domination of the junior sections of the 32nd FFA Futsal National Championships continued unabated with a 6-2 defeat of ACT Cobras in the under-14 Girl’s age group. Player of the match, The Thunder’s captain Erin Hill, was outstanding in leading her team to victory, driving forward at every opportunity and presenting a firm barrier whenever the ACT threatened. The bedrock provided by Hill was gleefully built upon by Lisa Meduri and Amy Dahdali, who both scored twice, whilst Alysse Tasevski and Zoe Gomez both added their names to the score sheet. The Cobras did provide some sparks of excellence and were rewarded by goals from Olivia Gurney and Emma Bestek, but the Thunder were too powerful to deny. Jordan Baker of Western NSW took out the MVP award as player of the tournament.

15-BOYS

NSW Thunder 6 (Daniel Collins (2), Shannon Fielding, Petros Stefadouros, own goal) NSW Lightning 2 (Daniel Graham (2))

Blue continued to be the dominant theme as the FFA Futsal National Championships moved into the afternoon session with the under-15 Boy’s final as NSW Thunder continued their sensational championships with a 6-2 triumph over fellow NSW side, the Lightning. Daniel Collins was the shining light for the Thunder scoring a brace and having a hand in another that was credited as a Lightning own goal. Shannon Fielding and Petros Stefadouros added goals to Collins’ effort, but it was a real all round team performance from the sky blues. The Lightning had their own two-goal hero in Daniel Graham whilst Chris Howell battled hard for the cause. Queensland’s Kayden Oakes was voted as the MVP of the under-15 Boys championship.

15-GIRLS

NSW Thunder 3 (Jessica Elliott, Rebecca Dennis, Vanisha Kumar) Queensland 1 (Jessica Dillon)

Queensland’s sole representative on Grand Final Day, the Girl’s under-15 team were unable to end the week as champions, falling at the final hurdle to NSW Thunder. The Thunder, whose Futsal program is obviously in rude health considering the amount of titles gained, added this one to their burgeoning collection on the back of a solid team showing orchestrated by player of the match Lucy Chapman. The match was delicately poised at 1-1 at the interval with the Thunder eventually pulling away in the second half to take the match 3-1. Jessica Elliott, Rebecca Dennis and Vanisha Kumar scored for the Thunder with Jessica Dillon on target for Queensland who battled hard but were ultimately undone at the very end of an emotional week for all involved. The MVP at under-15 Girls level was Candela Bas of Victoria.

ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES

Southern NSW 6 (Nathan Whaylon (3), Mitchell Forrest, Caitlin Cooney, John Ruiz) NSW Lightning 1 (Rodney Afif)

A quite brilliant Athlete’s with Disability tournament concluded with a great Grand Final in front of a large crowd at the AIS Arena. Southern NSW, who had been one of the standout teams of a extremely hard-fought pool stages, were crowned champions after winning 6-1 against NSW Lightning. Nathan Whaylon struck a hat-trick of goals and was in super form as were fellow goalscorers Mitchell Forrest, Caitlin Cooney and John Ruiz. Rodney Afif of NSW Lighting was named player of the match for his hard work in adversity putting in some tremendous tackles and bursting with energy throughout the forty minutes. His performance was crowned with a lovely goal as well. Craig Mulhbock of NSW Storm was voted MVP of the tournament.

16-GIRLS

NSW Lightning 2 (Katherine Hawker, Montana Bolzan) NSW Thunder 0

NSW Lightning broke the NSW Thunder monopoly with a fine 2-0 win in the Girls under-16 competition. In one of the fiercest matches of the day nothing could separate the teams at the interval after a goal less first period. That’s not to say there weren’t chances, but both goalkeepers were determined to keep a clean sheet. It took something special to break the deadlock when Katherine Hawker lashed in a long-range drive that flew into the top corner for the opener. The next goal was always likely to be crucial and it was the Lightning who got it when Montana Bolzan struck. Lightning’s Patricia Charalamboas was named player of the match while Western NSW player Chloe Robinson was elected as the tournament MVP for 2011.

SBS Sport will broadcast a one hour packaged highlights program of the FFA Futsal National Finals on SBS 1, Sunday 13th February, from 1-2 pm.

If I knew you would be in Canberra I would have caught up with you Arthur.

Sorry Spathi I didn't even think to let you know, my apologies.

Did you catch any of the games?

I saw the Solomon Islands U/13 team they were amazing.

And had a chat with one of the coaches from Auckland Futsal, Felipe, a young brazilian coaching in NZ. They have some talent.

I did catch some games mate. My friends daughter was playing in the u/11 ad actually won the player of the tournament. I also watched some u/12, u/13 and u/14 boys games as I have a coaching interest in all those teams as far as Canberra teams go. We may have even bumped into each other without knowing. I did not manage to see the Solomon Island boys though.

If you get to Canberra next year let me know!!!!!!

Well there you go my daughter was in the U11 Vic team she wore No.9 s we must have crossed paths. I'm assuming your friends daughter wa the No.4 for ACT?

It was actually 14.