Port Authority end NSW Thunder?s AFC Futsal Club Championship dream

The Thunder got off to a bad start as Port Authority climbed to a two-goal lead as first Ukrit bundled home before Ediz Alpkaya put the ball into his own net.

Alpkaya quickly made amends though when he reduced the deficit soon after before Dean Lockhart brought NSW Thunder back on level terms.

Things got even better for Jamie Amendolia’s side when they took the lead through Solomon Islands forward Jack Wetney?s sublime flick which found the top right corner. Suchin Eamchalard then rattled the bar midway through the half for the Thais but NSW Thunder held onto their slender advantage at the break.

They could not stop Port Authority leveling a minute into the second half when Nattavut Madyalan struck and though Alpkaya regained the lead for his side soon after, Ukrit pushed Wuttichai Tintawee’s goal bound shot over the line to restore parity.

The controversy hit the match as Thai skipper Santanaprasit Tanakorn stabbed home to put Port Authority ahead but the whole Thunder side were in protest as the ball appeared not to have crossed the line.

NSW Thunder goalkeeper Peter Spathis equalised when he punished opposite number Sakchai Hamaitree for venturing to the halfway line but Ukrit ended the Australians’ AFC Futsal Club Championship campaign when he fired home late on to secure the three points.
?Today’s match was very frustrating for us,? said Amendolia.

?We dominated the game and dominated possession.

?It is respect to our team when you see another side come and play against you with a power play for the whole second half. They had no way to break us down and so had to use that method of attack.?
Port Authority coach Udom Taveesuk was pleased with his side?s performance over the Australian outfit.
?This game was a very, very good game for us.
 ?Their players were very good and it was more difficult than previous matches.

?It was hard for us to counter attack. We had to use power play in the second half and that is how we got chances to get goals.?
In a sour note for NSW Thunder Captian Peter Spathis received his second yellow card and will miss the final group game with Pro?s Caf? of Lebanon due to suspension.
Match Stats
NSW Thunder: 1. Peter Spathis ?, 2. Dylan Maloney, 7. Dean Lockhart, 9. Chris Zaballos, 11. Ediz Alpkaya,
Subs:, 4. Rhys Giovenali, 6. Robbie Issa, 10. Adrian Vizzari, 12. Jack Wetney, 13. Roberto Maiorana (GK), 17. Danny Martinez, 20. Lachlan Wright
Port Authority: 20. Sakchai Hamaitree, 3. Santanaprasit Tanakorn ?, 5. Warin Romanee, 7. Nattavut Madyalan, 12. Ukrit Taengtung
Subs: 2. Prakit Dankhunthod, 8 Wat Sreeyanong, 10. S. Eamchalard, 11. W. Tintawee, 15. Nopporn Settura, 17. Panyateerawong Siriroj, 18. Rossanakarn Ulid
Goals
NSW Thunder: Ediz Alpkaya x2, Dean Lockhart, Jack Wetney, Peter Spathis
Port Authority:  Ukrit Taengtung x2, Ediz Alpkaya (OG), Wuttichai Tintawee Nattavut Madyalan, Santanaprasit Tanakorn
Attendance: 100 aprox.
09/03/10
11:30: Pro?s Caf? v NSW Thunder
14:00: Port Authority v Wuhan Dilong
16:30: Bishkek v Stroitel Zarafshan
19:00: Foolad Mahan Sepahan v Nagoya Oceans
11/03/10
16:30: Winners Group B v Runners-up Group A
19:00: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B
12/03/10
16:30: Third-place play-off
19:00: Final
NSW Thunder Squad 2010
Peter Spathis (Captain) (Sydney City Eagles)
Roberto Maiorana (Inner West Allstars)
Adrian Vizzari (Inner West Allstars)
Lachlan Wright (Inner West Allstars)
Ediz Alpaka (Inner West Allstars)
Chris Zeballos (Sydney City Eagles)
Dylan Maloney Sydney City Eagles
Tudor Vasile (Sydney City Eagles)
Elliot Ragomo (Dural Warriors)
Rhys Giovenali (Dural Warriors)
Dean Lockart (Campbelltown City Quake)
Danny Martinez (Campbelltown City Quake)
Robert Issa (Mascot Vipers)
Jack Whetney (Solomon Islands)
-By Damian Briggs (Reporting from Esfahan, Iran)