National Futsal Championships officially kicked Off
The 29th National Futsal Championships officially got underway at the Australian Institute of Sport with an evening of colour, tradition and goals entertaining the packed out Arena.
The 29th National Futsal Championships officially got underway at the Australian Institute of Sport with an evening of colour, tradition and goals entertaining the packed out Arena.
The evening got underway with a state parade welcoming all those involved filling the playing area with a variety of colour from the blue and white of the ACT and NSW to the red of South Australia, the green of Tasmania and the Solomon Islands.
The FFA-s Matt Bulkeley officially opened the championships for the 150 teams taking part in the five day tournament before traditional dances from the tournaments two international visitors - the Papua New Guinea under 12 and 14 teams from the Kokopo School Soccer Association and the Solomon Islands.
Capital Futsal General Manager, Steven McIntyre was pleased with the turn out for the opening ceremony and the proceeding matches.
”It was a really good crowd this evening staying around to watch the opening matches particularly the men-s open match between Victoria and the Solomon Islands. I hope to see this crowd return during the week for both men-s and women-s open matches here at the AIS all week,” McIntyre said.
The ACT, South Australia and Victoria all opened their National Futsal accounts with good wins as they entertained those who stayed behind with goals-a-plenty.
Victoria took a two-nil lead into the half time break and quickly made three following the change of ends but the Solomon-s hit back with two goals of their own to make it an exciting finish but unfortunately for the visitors, time ran out in their opening match.
Following the men-s open match, it was time for the boys and girls to have a run with South Australia out classing their Northern NSW rivals winning 18-1 in the girls 14-s and the ACT Cobras notching one for the locals with a 4-3 victory over Tasmania in the boys 14-s.
For the latest information visit www.futsalnationals.com.au
Results from Day 1:
Men-s Victoria defeated Solomon Island 3-2 Girls 14-s South Australia defeated Northern NSW 18-1 Boys 14-s ACT Cobras defeated Tasmania 4-3