NSW too hot for the Solomon’s

A capacity crowd of nearly 500 spectators packed the grandstand at the Dural Sport & Leisure Centre to watch the young Solomon Islands Kurukurus do battle with the NSW Thunder Men?s team in preparation for their tilt at the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup.
As soon as World Cup bound referee Scott Kidson got the game under way the young Islanders had the NSW team under enormous pressure with their quick passing, ? court pressure defense and speed around the court. However by the time Micah opened the score for the visitors they had wasted several clear cut scoring opportunities which could have put the game beyond the NSW team. As the clock ticked on the tide begun to turn and the Jamie Amendolia / Steven Knight coached team grabbed control of the game and exposed some weaknesses in the Solomon?s defense. None more so when Danny Martinez found himself with a simple tap in chance from 2 metres out following a corner kick that the defenders failed to clear. From then on the first half belonged to the State team with Dylan Maloney scoring after a great pass from Rhys Giovenali and Toby Seeto making it 3-1 after dispossessing a Solomon Islands defender near their ?D? and giving the goal keeper no chance with a fine individual goal.  The teams went to a well deserved rest with NSW clear leaders by 2 goals.
NSW dominance continued at the start of the second half as they created several good chances which they could not convert. They were made to pay for the missed opportunities as brilliant Elliot Ragomo punished the NSW defence in a lightning counter attack that showed all his skill and class making the score 3-2. From then on the Solomon took control of possession but the resolute NSW defence, aided by some brilliant saves by Peter Spathis, a strong contender for Man of the Match, held them out. As it is usually the case in Futsal, the team under territorial pressure hit back with some great counterattacking play. NSW, against somewhat the run of play, increased their lead when Marino Musumeci scored following an incisive pass from Rhys Giovenali. The goal seemed to affect the young Kurukurus and NSW created a few more chances but failed to seal their win with another goal. In the final few minutes the Solomon Islands team fought back but due to some great saves by Spathis again had to wait until the last minute of play to narrow the margin to 4-3 with a goal by Jack Whetney. The game ended with the Solomons pressing the NSW goal but the locals held firm for a nice win. As the full time went, the appreciative crowd gave both teams a standing ovation.
The game provided much needed match practice for the visitors, while for the local coaches it was a great opportunity to see how their charges are progressing as they prepare in their quest to regain the title of Australian champions to be decided in January at the Nationals in Canberra.
NSW 4 (Danny Martinez, Dylan Maloney, Tobias Seeto, Marino Musumeci) vs. Solomon Islands 3 (Micah Lea?lafa, Elliot Ragomo, Jack Wetney)

NSW Starting 5:  2 Peter Spathis (c), 3 Andrew Nolan, 24 Tobias Seeto, 25 Rhys Giovenali, 10 Adrian Vissari
Subs: 1 James Gullotta, 8 Marino Musumeci, 23 Dylan Maloney, 9 Daniel Fogarty, 6 Ross Fazzalaro, 12 Danny Martinez, 5 Shervin Adeli, 30 Dean Lockhart
Solomon Starting 5: 22 Junior Kogua, 3 Elliot Ragomo (c), 5 Lenson Bisili, 7 James Egeta, 12 Jack Wetney
Subs: 2 Philip Ttou, 4 Jenan Kapu, 6 Moffat Sikwa?ae, 8 Francis Lafai, 9 Micah Lea?lafa, 10 Samuel Osifelo, 11 Ron Gino, 13 Stanley Puairana,  14 Junior Lipka
Football NSW wishes the Solomon Islands the best of luck at the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil!