The Futsal Whites have been outclassed in their final game of the CFA International Futsal Tournament in China, going down 7-0 to Vietnam last night.

New Zealand, who competed well with the World No 3 Russia on Saturday night, looked to back up that performance against the best side in Asia but their rivals caused them problems with their pace, accuracy and clinical nature in front of goal. 

Marvin Eakins, the Futsal Whites player coach, told his players after the match to keep their heads up high after coming up against some quality opposition. 

“These guys were really good,” said Eakins. “They put in a really good performance and they really tested our defence which is what we have been working on. They have shown us some gaps which is good because we go home and try to improve what we have been working on.”

Eakins made three changes to the starting five who went down 7-3 to the European No 1 Russia. Hamish Mitchell came into goal in place of Elias Billeh, while Tai Barham, Dylan Manickum came in for Jordan Ditfort and Brayden Lissington.

Vietnam, who had defeated China 4-0 in their second game, made a strong start and jumped out to a 2-0 lead within the opening 10 minutes. . It could have been more, but goalkeeper Mitchell made a telling double save in the 11^th minute.

New Zealand had their chances, but could not finish and were denied on several occasions by a superb performance from the Vietnam keeper.

In the 12^th minute, New Zealand danger man Dylan Manickum forced the Vietnam keeper into action with a good shot, but he was up to the challenge. 

Vietnam turned defence into offence and they scored two quick goals to get to 4-0.

In the 15^th minute, Lucas Silva found himself one on one with the keeper but was also denied by a fantastic save. Vietnam went into the halftime break with a 4-0 lead.

The Kiwis again adopted a high press early in the second half but could not convert their chances and Vietnam made them pay. Their fifth goal was a long range effort and their best goal of the night.

The Futsal Whites continued to work hard and a great pass from Benji Lapslie put Lucas Silva in a one on one position with the keeper, and again the Vietnamese keeper produced a fine save to deny New Zealand their opening goal.

Vietnam scored on the counterattack and then one more to complete a comfortable win.

Eakins said there was a lot of valuable lessons to come from the performance for the Futsal Whites going forward.

“We were probably a bit flat after a big performance last night [against Russia], but that is an excuse we shouldn’t have because we want to compete at the highest level. The fatigue and mental fatigue of a tournament like this is something that we need to deal with better as a team and it is something we will address going forward.”

New Zealand competed with three top quality futsal teams in the CFA International Futsal Tournament in Changsha and Eakins said the learnings from the experience have been priceless.

“We are three times the team that we were before we jumped on the plane to come over here. We have adjusted our defence, it has been peppered by three really good sides and we can see that this is going to work for us. We have a system in play that will get us to the World Cup.” 

CFA International Futsal Tournament

Match Details
Vietnam 7
New Zealand 0
HT: 4-0

New Zealand
Starting five: Hamish Mitchell (GK), Tai Barham, Dylan Manickum, Luc Saker and Lucas Da Silva
Substitutes (rolling): Marvin Eakins, Benji Lapslie, Tom McGowan, Stephen Ashby-Peckham, Oban Hawkins, Logan Wisnewski, Elias Billeh (GK), Jordan Ditfort, Brayden Lissington
Coach: Marvin Eakins

Article added: Monday 25 June 2018