Category: Futsalroos

FIFA Futsal World Cup

Photo: Courtesy FIFA

The FIFA Futsal World Cup plays out in Colombia (South America) from 10 September to 1 October 2016, with Australia’s very own Futsalroos once again taking part.

The Aussie contingent come up against some stiff competition in the pool matches being drawn against Brazil (reigning World Champions), Ukraine and Mozambique.

SBS Television is showing all the Futsalroos games along with the semis and Final.

Follow the Boomerangs Facebook page to keep up with the action, including the scheduled TV broadcast times.

And follow the Official FIFA website for all the action each and every day from 10 September till the final on 1 October.

Futsal handed its first international match calendar

(photo © Getty Images)

The following from FIFA.

There can be no denying that futsal has enjoyed continuous and remarkable growth over the past decade. Solid proof of that trend comes in the form of increased numbers both of registered players and leagues now run under FIFA rules – factors that have had a direct impact on improved standards in both domestic and international competitions.

Further evidence of this leap in standards was on display at the last FIFA Futsal World Cup, arguably the most evenly matched edition to date, as well as the quantity of emerging nations making a splash in the discipline. In its quest to continue the sport’s evolution in the most organised way possible, the FIFA Executive Committee, at its meeting of 18 and 19 December 2014 in Marrakech, approved something that world football’s governing body has long sought: the first ever futsal international match calendar, which covers the period of 2016-2020.

“It’s like this, the global growth of futsal means that a unified calendar has become indispensable,” said Jaime Yarza, Event Manager for the FIFA Futsal World Cup, when speaking to FIFA.com. “Everyone involved in the sport – FIFA, the confederations, associations, leagues, clubs, players, sponsors, media – needs to be able to plan for the sporting season in advance. And being able to do that for the next two or three years is better than for just one.

“There are so many factors that meant that it [a unified calendar] was now essential,” continued Yarza. “You have to prepare budgets, define TV slots, confirm activities for sponsors, build loyalty among clubs’ fans by having well-structured seasons… There are so many benefits to having a unified calendar that it’s hard to explain them in just a few words.”

Javier Lozano, who twice coached Spain to FIFA Futsal World Cup glory and is currently the President of theLiga Española de Fútbol Sala, backed up Yarza’s views. “This calendar is a big help for our clubs and for futsal across the globe: finally we can make concrete plans,” he told FIFA.com. “Safeguarding clubs, players and international competitions is essential for taking this sport to the very highest level.”

Releasing players
The new calendar, whose opening cycle will include the next two FIFA Futsal World Cups, is based around players’ mandatory release to their national teams, depending on the various stages of international competition. “We’ve tried to take into account the interests of all parties. First of all, we’ve set aside 12-day windows for the final stages of the confederations’ senior national-team championships. Now confederations will be able to properly prepare both their competitions and specific sponsorship programs. It even makes choosing host nations easier,” added Yarza, in reference to events such as the UEFA Futsal EURO and the Copa America de Futsal.

In addition to the final stages of confederations’ championships and the FIFA Futsal World Cup, the calendar also includes two international windows, called Type I and Type II. “The first type lasts for ten days, during which national teams can play up to four friendly matches, but which can also be used to carry out fund-raising events or extended periods of preparation, for example for the World Cup,” explained Yarza. “The second type is for four days and allows no more than two matches. Again, it will be up to the associations to decide how they make use of the time.

“It’s taken a huge amount of work in terms of coordination, since it has required bringing together the interests of many parties,” admitted Yarza. “We’d like to thank everybody, the confederations, associations, leagues, clubs and players, for their understanding. We’ve tried to take into account the needs of all of the world’s regions.”

Though satisfied with the step taken, Yarza signed off by emphasising that the calendar remains a work in progress: “We’re pleased to say that this [calendar] has put the defence of the sport and its stars – the players – first. In any case, in the knowledge that nothing is perfect, in 2017 we will speak to all parties again to discuss if any changes are required.”

Futsal ready to make its mark in Australia

The following is an OPINION piece posted on the FFA website….

Futsal made its mark at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. On the opening day, Oscar scored for Brazil against Croatia with a “toe-poke”, a skill taken directly from Futsal.

Some purists of outdoor football may think this technique is a little crude, but it’s not viewed that way in Futsal. It’s a highly valued skill that unleashes a powerful shot in tight confines with little backlift.

I’m using Oscar’s Futsal-inspired goal as a point of reference for the place of Futsal in Australia. It’s played everywhere across the nation, but maybe we don’t appreciate its potential, just like the often-derided toe-poke.

Under the management changes made by CEO David Gallop, FFA has a renewed commitment to the national development of Futsal.

It’s important to make the distinction about “national development”, because there’s no denying that Futsal has flourished in the suburbs and schools across Australia. There are many Futsal people who deserve our thanks for the healthy state of Futsal participation.

But without a national strategy, the important role Futsal can play in the development of the game won’t be fully realised. That was the topic of a recent National Futsal Forum held in Sydney under the auspices of FFA.

Our ambition is to plant the seeds that will lead to Australia growing into a world force in Futsal.

FFA long ago identified Futsal as a growth area and a fantastic way to development football skills from a young age for boys and girls.

The latest edition of the National Football Curriculum holds that Futsal and other small sided games as ideal ways to fast track the development of technical as well as the decision-making skills for all footballers.

To get there, we need a specific Futsal coach education pathway from the Community to the elite levels. It goes without saying that with better Futsal coaches we will be able to produce better Futsal players.

The recent successes of our Men’s National Futsal team, the Futsalroos, at AFC tournaments and the FIFA Futsal World Cup shows that we can be very competitive on the world stage.

Our aim is that with further development and co-operation between all stakeholders, Australia could eventually become a world force in Futsal.

As a show of intent, the National Futsal Forum involved representatives from the nine Member Federations, the Australian Sports Commission and key Futsal stakeholders.

The length discussions and planning covered the following points:

• The role that Futsal can play in the development of talented players as demonstrated by leading Football nations, including Brazil

• The role Futsal can play in the growing participation at the grassroots

• The opportunity to continue to invest in the Talented Player Pathway, which includes the Australian Men’s National Futsal team, the Futsalroos, and growing the F-League (8-team interstate competition involving teams from NSW, ACT, VIC & QLD). This includes a greater focus on developing the female pathway, and the introduction of a Women’s National Futsal team over time

• Marketing and promotion of Futsal at all levels.

The key outcome of National Futsal Forum is that FFA will now organise a National Working Group, which will include representatives from each stakeholder group.

FFA has also announced that Football NSW will host of the annual FFA National Futsal Championships for the next three years. The 2015 edition of the FFA National Futsal Championships will be take place from 5-9 January and will be played across four venues (Valentine Sports Park (Open and AWD), Dural Sport and Leisure Centre (16 Years and Youth), Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium (12-15 Years) and Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre (Finals)).

Football NSW have demonstrated their commitment Futsal through the management of the F-League, which is starting to attract the most talented players from across Australia.

We have an ambitious view of what Futsal can be in Australia. Who knows? Maybe one a Futsal-inspired toe-poke will carry the Socceroos or Matildas to a World Cup victory, just like Oscar in the match against Croatia.

• The FFA National Futsal Championships had previously been hosted by Capital Football for the past 26 years. FFA would like thank Capital Football for their commitment and leadership towards the growth and development of Futsal in Australia during their hosting of the tournament.

Tuesday, 29 July 2014 – Emma Highwood, FFA Head of Community Football

Futsalroos clean sweep series

The following is from the Football NSW website.

The Futsalroos showed why they sit 24th in the world futsal rankings as they completed a Trans-Tasman Cup series clean sweep proving too strong over our neighbours taking out all three matches.

This ended a great tour by the Futsalroos who kicked off Game 1 with a 5-3 win.

Goals to Jarrod Basger, Tobias Seto, a double from Wade Giovenali and an own goal was enough to see off the Kiwi side in front of the 600 plus spectators at the ASB Centre in Wellington on Friday.

The Futsalroos then put on an impressive Game 2 performance which put them on their way to a comprehensive 6-0 victory over the Futsal Whites on Saturday night, where they secured the Trans-Tasman Cup in the process with a game to spare.

Jordan Mundell grabbed a hat-trick while Jarrod Basger, Wade Giovenali and Chris Polkinghorne added the rest.

In Game 3, the squad resisted to rest on their laurels and finished the clean sweep by defeating the Kiwi side 7-1.

Jonathan Barrientos scored a double while Wade Giovenali, Chris Polkinghorne, Jarrod Basger, Adam Cooper and Callum Smith added the remaining goals.

Trans-Tasman Cup 2014 – Game 1

Futsal Whites v Futsalroos
Futsal Whites 3-5 Futsalroos (half: 0-2)
NZL: Leo Bertos 25’, Kareem Osman 32’, 39’
AUS: Wade Giovenali 14’, 16’, Tobias Seto 32’, Jarrod Basger 35’, Own Goal

Trans-Tasman Cup 2014 – Game 2

Futsal Whites 0-6 Futsalroos (half: 0-1)
NZL: –
AUS: Jordan Mundell 1’, 35’, 38’, Jarrod Basger 22’, Wade Giovenali 24’, Chris Polkinghorne 40’

Trans-Tasman Cup 2014 – Game 3

Futsal Whites 1-7 Futsalroos (half: 1-4)
NZL: Jan Fischer 12’
AUS: Jonathan Barrientos 3’, 31’, Wade Giovenali 4’, Chris Polkinghorne 10’, Jarrod Basger 12’, Adam Cooper 34’, Callum Smith 38’

Boomerangs Make National Team

Two Boomerangs men’s players have made the final touring squad for the 2014 Trans-Tasman challenge.

Futsalroo regular, ‘keeper Angelo Konstantinou will be one of the few experienced older hands in the squad that will expose a raft of younger players on to the international scene for the first time.

Cal Smith on the other hand, is one of those new caps that will make his first appearance in an Australian shirt whilst playing in Wellington over the weekend. Cal has been rewarded for a very impressive start to the 2014 F-League season. Angelo has been in fine form so far this F-League season continuing his strong performances at the Asian Futsal Championships earlier this year.

Boomerangs Michael Reeve was also in the train on squad for this tour, but has been hampered by injury over the past few weeks (and former Boomerangs Futsalroo representative Daniel Fulton is currently unavailable for international duty – having become a father for the first time just last week).

The Futsalroos take on the Futsal Whites at the ASB Sports Centre in Wellington with the first match scheduled for this Friday July 11th with a second on Saturday and a third Sunday. There will be a break in the F-League season for this weekend to accommodate these internationals.

It will be a huge test for the Futsalroos under new head coach Rob Varela, with a significantly changed squad to that picked to play in the AFC Championships earlier this year. In 2012, and 2013 the Futsalroos comprehensively defeated the Kiwis, and it appears the selectors have taken the opportunity to blood several new younger players into the squad prior to the next round of Asian encounters.

Dural Warriors star Toby Seeto will lead the squad as captain while Konstantinou, and other experienced campaigners like Jarrod Basger and Chris Zeballos will lead the youthful squad (which also includes several younger players with Futsalroo experience including W Giovenalli, Polkinghorne and Niski) into battle this weekend.

Australian Futsalroos squad:

Angelo Konstantinou (GK) (Boomerangs FS), Callum Smith (Boomerangs FS), Jarrod Basger (Dural Warriors), Jonathon Barrientos (VIC Vipers), Jordan Mundell (Campbelltown Quake), Wade Giovenali (Dural Warriors), Tobias Seeto (C) (Dural Warriors), Sam Perre (East Coast Heat), Chris Zeballos (East Coast Heat), Chris Polkinghorne (Dural Warriors), Nathan Niski (Dural Warriors), Nick Starr (GK) (Dural Warriors)

Head Coach : Robert Varela

Futsalroos named for AFF Futsal Championship

We congratulate Boomerangs Angelo Konstantinou for once again being named as one of three ‘keepers to travel to Asia with the squad this week.

Previously, Daniel Fulton has represented Australia playing for the Futsalroos, and Boomerangs players Jake Wilsener, Michael Reeve and Cal Smith were invited to train with the Futsalroos squad in a lead up to this tournament.

We wish the team the best in this tournament.

The following is from the FFA website….

Futsalroos Head Coach Steven Knight has selected a 14-player squad that will compete at the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Miracle of Life Futsal Championship 2013 at Bangkok Thonburi University, Bangkok, Thailand from 19-27 October 2013.

The AFF Miracle of Life Futsal Championship 2013 will also serve as the qualification tournament for the AFC Futsal Championships with the top 3 teams progressing to the tournament which will be held in Vietnam.

Seven players were part of the Futsalroos squad that competed at the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand.

After recent success at the Trans-Tasman Series and OFC Futsal Championship Invitational, Knight believes his team is ready for the tournament.

“We are definitely looking forward to the competition,” said Knight

“It’s a strong squad and the players who missed out made the final selections a very difficult process.”

“We have been fortunate with the draw but cannot take any game lightly and have set up two training games prior to the tournament to ensure that we are fully prepared.

“This is the first step in the campaign to the next FIFA Futsal World Cup,” concluded Knight.

The Futsalroos will depart for Bangkok tomorrow (Wednesday 16 October 2013) and will play two friendly matches against Bangkok FC (17 October) and Port Authority (18 October) to prepare for their opening Group B match against Timor Leste on Sunday 20 October (10:00am local, 2:00pm AEDT).

The Futsalroos will then face Laos on Monday 21 October (10:00am local, 2:00pm AEDT), Myanmar on Tuesday 22 October (1:00pm local, 5:00pm AEDT) and then Indonesia on Wednesday 23 October (1:00pm local, 5:00pm AEDT).

The top teams of each group will progress to the semi-finals on Friday 25 October with the Final and 3rd placed play-off on Sunday 27 October.

FUTSALROOS SQUAD – AFF Miracle of Life Futsal Championship 2013

Jarrod BASGER, Adam COOPER, Fernando DE MORAES, Daniel FOGARTY, Gregory GIOVENALI, Wade GIOVENALI, Shervin KESHAVARZ, Angelo KONSTANTINOU (gk), Dean LOCKHART, Roberto MAIORANA (gk), Raymond MILLER, Marino MUSUMECI, Tobias SEETO and Peter SPATHIS (gk)

Team Officials
Head Coach: Steven Knight
Assistant Coach: Robert Varela
GK Coach: Roger Cua
Physiotherapist: Deane Stephens
Team Manager: Vito Basile

For more information regarding the AFF Miracle of Life Futsal Championship 2013 please visit www.aseanfootball.org

Canberra Times Feature on the Boomerangs

In the midst of Brumbies fever – the Canberra Times featured an article on the Boomerangs, the
F-League weekend of games at the AIS and two of the Boomerang’s Futsalroos stars – Daniel Fulton and Angelo Konstantinou.

The full story can be found at http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/futsalroos-star-back-to-help-boomerangs-20130802-2r57y.html

If you prefer the print version, grab a hard copy of today’s Canberra Times and check out Page 17 of the Sport Section.

And some awesome photos of Daniel Fulton (versions below). Thanks to Katherine Griffiths for taking these fabulous shots.

Two Boomerangs named in Futsalroos squad

Boomerangs players Angelo Konstantinou and Daniel Fulton have again been named in the Australian Futsalroo squad to take on the Futsal Whites in the Trans Tasman Challenge in Wellington this weekend. Three matches will be played over the weekend kicking off with the first match on Friday evening at 8.15pm.

Angelo Konstantinou, the Boomerangs goalkeeper, has been a long serving member of the Australian Futsal team and recently participated in the 2012 Futsal World Cup in Thailand.

Daniel Fulton has been on the periphery of the team, and has represented Australia a number of times previously, but now sees the opportunity to become a regular inclusion in the squad.

Immediately after the Trans Tasman Challenge Series in Wellington, the boys will travel to Auckland to participate in the OFC Futsal Championship Invitational from 23-27 July. The Futsaroos will share Group B with Tahiti, Vanuatu and a NZ Invitational team and will play a minimum of three group games across 23/24 and 25 July.

The full team includes:

Angelo Konstantinou (GK) (Boomerangs F.S)
Gavin O Brien (GK) (Campelltown Quake)
Keiran Pates (GK) (Vic Vipers)
Eddie Alpkaya (Sydney Scorpions)
Adam Cooper (Vic Vipers)
Daniel Fogarty (Sydney Scorpions)
Daniel Fulton (Boomerangs F.S)
Greg Giovenali (Dural Warriors)
Wade Giovenali (Dural Warriors)
Dean Lockhart (Sydney Scorpions)
Marino Musumeci (Sydney Scorpions)
Tobias Seeto (Dural Warriors)
Mark Symington (Sydney Scorpions)
Chris Zeballos (East Coast Heat)

Check out the news section of the FFA website.