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By David Brand |
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Manumea Futsal produced
another rousing performance and their best of the tournament so far in
making Australia fight every inch of the way to secure a victory. The
5-0 scoreline did not reflect the overall play with Samoa having the
better of the opportunities in the first half.
Australia opened the scoring after 3 minutes with a well taken shot
following a dribble but not the start Samoa wanted and again a bad goal
defensively to concede. However Manumea fought back strongly and 3 one
on ones with the Australian keeper were blown and when Junior Michael
hit the post again it seemed it would not be Samoa’s day. Australia
called a time out to try to reorganise as Samoa were causing the
Aussies numerous problems on the break.
In a game played at a fast pace neither side could take advantage of
opportunities and at half time Australia led by the slender I goal
margin which so easily could have been a deficit.
Australia came out firing in the second half and after 5 minutes poor
tracking of a runner at a corner left for an easy shot and goal.
Manumea kept taking the game to Australia but slowly the superior
experience and professionalism was beginning to take a grip on the
game. Tempers began to flair up and in this period Australia scored on
3 more occasions. The battling Samoans did no give up but eventually
Australia ran out comfortable winners on the score sheet but most
certainly a score line that flattered and they knew they had been in a
tough game.
Despite another defeat Manumea can stand tall and be proud of a gutsy
performance against the Oceania powerhouse. Today they complete
their fixtures with a game against New Zealand.
National Coach David Brand was again full of praise for his battling warriors
who following their traditional Siva Tau did not take a backward step during the
whole game. Well done Samoa!
“This has to be the best performance of any Samoan team against Australia at a
senior level and I am a proud man tonight,” he said.
“Maybe it wasn’t pretty but we gave them a run for their money but in
the end the far superior experience all round and professionalism
finally secured the result. Once again missed opportunities in front of
goal and some poor defending cost us |
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Manumea Futsal soccer team performing the ‘siva tau’ before
their international qualifier with Australia. |
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Great performance by Manumea Futsal against Australia, the
Oceania powerhouse at senior level. |
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Playing the Samoa national anthem before the Manumea Futsal
encounter with the Solomon Islands in Australia. |
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dearly.”
“We lost our composure when the Aussies became intimidating and unfortunately
the officials did not pick this up. No complaints though as we have to learn to
cope with this at this level and I wish them all good luck for the future.”
“We now go away and build for four years hence, when if we continue to develop
we will be a far different proposition for all teams and may just have a
surprise up our sleeve.”
Again it was not to be and experience and professionalism finally gained the
advantage which leaves Australia on the verge of qualification for the World Cup
Finals in Taipei.
For more information, contact National Coach David Brand is available for
further comment on 685 26504 or on email
davidbrand2003@yahoo.com.au or
dbrand@lesamoa.net
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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