The Futsal Whites have kicked off their historic campaign at the CFA International Futsal Tournament in heart-breaking fashion, going down 2-1 to China after conceding a last-minute winner.

The tour to China is a ground-breaking moment for the Futsal Whites as it is the first time they have travelled to a non-Oceania country to play and they were on track for a landmark result with the score locked at 1-1.

But, with only seconds left on the clock, the hosts then pounced on a loose ball and made the most of a two versus one at the far post to leave New Zealand empty-handed. It was cruel on a young Futsal Whites line-up, who had belied their tender years to put in a strong performance in Changsha.

Player-coach Marvin Eakins went for an exciting blend of youth and experience in his starting five with goalkeeper Elias Billeh, Lucas Da Silva, Luc Saker, Brayden Lissington and Benji Lapslie taking the court.

Both sides created some good opportunities early on but couldn’t convert while Billeh was called on to make an outstanding save to deny China the opening goal. The hosts went close again on 10 minutes with a strike that crashed off the post before Jordi Ditfort showed his class three minutes later at the other end, going past his defender and drawing a great save from the Chinese goalkeeper.

The Futsal Whites then enjoyed a spell of dominance with Lissington also creating a chance to break the deadlock. But it was China who went on to take the lead, their efforts on the training court paying off with a well-worked corner routine.

Eakins turned to a further dash of youthful exuberance to get his side back into the game, throwing on debutants Logan Wisnewski and Oban Hawkins. They immediately began to cause problems for the Chinese defence and New Zealand nearly equalised when Saker fizzed a shot just over the cross bar.

Eakins called a time out with a minute left in the first half and his words had the desired effect as the Futsal Whites created their best chance straight after the restart, Tai Barham finding Da Silva at the back post but he couldn’t quite turn his shot on target.

That meant the Futsal Whites went into half-time a goal down but still very much in the game as they looked to mark their debut outing on non-Oceania soil with a win.

Hamish Mitchell replaced Billeh between the sticks and he was soon called into action, standing his ground well in a one-on-one situation to force a Chinese shot wide. The dangerous Ditfort then drew Mitchell’s counterpart into another good save as the Futsal Whites searched for an equaliser.

Ditfort wouldn’t be denied for long though, showing fast feet to beat the defence once again and slot a leveller into the bottom corner. That spurred the Futsal Whites into another dominant period and Tom McGowan nearly put them in front with a powerful strike that went just wide of the post.

China hit the woodwork again though as the last quarter of the match drew near and the stage was set for a frantic finale. With just two minutes remaining, only a sliding tackle prevented Dylan Manickum from giving New Zealand the lead while Mitchell needed to be at his best again as China also threatened.

There was still time for one more opportunity each and, unfortunately, the Futsal Whites weren’t able to take theirs as Manickum forced a save which was parried into the path of Stephen Ashby-Peckham and he couldn’t keep his follow-up attempt down.

China claimed their dramatic win seconds later and the Futsal Whites will now reflect on a strong performance before re-grouping to face heavyweights Russia tonight at 6pm local time (10pm NZ time).

Match Details

China 2
New Zealand 1 (Jordi Ditfort 24’)

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

Article added: Saturday 23 June 2018