Maccabi extend lead in NZ National Futsal League

Nineteen year old Jarrod Basger once again starred for the Sydney-based side, scoring seven of his side?s seventeen goals. East City and Red Sox meanwhile, were the top performing New Zealand sides, while Capital City Futsal also did enough to stay in the hunt for a spot in the play offs in Auckland in March.
Only Auckland?s East City were able to provide a true test for the unstoppable Maccabi in Dunedin.  Daniel Fulton, Denny Dutra and skipper Doron Pozniak all continued their red hot form from Series One, while the addition of Futsalroo veteran Simon Keith further strengthened the Australians as they marched to a virtually unassailable lead in the minor premiership.
With 25 goals in their five games over the weekend, East City were the most impressive of the New Zealand teams.  Miro Major and Jakub Sinkora in particular starred for the Aucklanders, but it was very much a team effort from East City ? highlighted by all ten outfield players contributing goals over the weekend.
Game of the series was East City?s battle with a resurgent Red Sox Manawatu, with East City prevailing 7-5 after the two sides had matched each other goal for goal in a thrilling encounter in front of a sizeable Saturday afternoon crowd.
Earlier, Red Sox had got their play off campaign on track with hard fought victories over Football South Futsal (3-2) and local rivals Capital City Futsal (3-1). Powerful target Greg O?Connor?s pace and movement brought him four goals and numerous assists over the weekend and surely put him in the frame for Futsal Whites selection for the OFC Futsal World Cup qualifiers in May.
Capital City Futsal meanwhile, ended Series Two on a high note, demolishing Football South Futsal 6-0 after a disappointing Day One for the Wellingtonians.
Christchurch Futsal, lead by their excellent Chilean pivot Jorge Donoso picked up their first points of the competition in a 0-0 draw with Capital, before taking out the ?battle of the South? in a comprehensive 4-1 victory over Football South Futsal.
Hosts Football South Futsal endured a difficult series, losing all five games and will need to turn their fortunes around in Series Three in Auckland in March to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs.
If Series One cemented Dylan Manickum as a rising star of New Zealand futsal, Series Two has thrown up at least three more exciting young players.  Red Sox?s Nathaniel Wright?s explosive pace and clinical finishing brought him six goals over the weekend while Capital City Futsal?s Taiki Davey emerged on Day Two as a pivot with real class.  The vision and ball control of Christchurch Futsal?s eighteen year old playmaker Shannon Vianney make him another worth watching out for in Series Three.
SERIES 2 RESULTS
12-13 February 2011
Dunedin – hosted by Football South Futsal

STANDINGS AFTER SERIES TWO

GOLDEN BOOT                                                                       
13 J Basger (Maccabi Hakoah)  
9 D Manickum (East City)
6 N Wright (Red Sox Manawatu), D Dutra (Maccabi Hakoah)                               
5 L Silva (Capital City Futsal), J Mundell (Maccabi Hakoah), J Sinkora (East City)                                    
SERIES 3 INCLUDING FINALS 
5-6 March 2011
Auckland – hosted by East City
Games will be streamed live on www.nzfootball.co.nz
source: NZ Football