Head coach Marvin Eakins has named the Auckland squad that will represent New Zealand Football by taking part in the upcoming OFC Futsal Champions League.

The team will square up against AS Pirae (Tahiti), Suva FC (Fiji), AS PTT Noumea (New Caledonia), Kooline FC (Solomon Islands) and D’York Street (Vanuatu) in a round robin competition with the top two teams progressing to the final.

Marvin Eakins says he’s excited for the opportunity to play in the inaugural OFC Champions League and is hoping his side can stamp their mark on the international stage.

“We are proud to be the first New Zealand team to take part in this event,” he says.

“We hope to play and perform in a way where the rest of the country can get behind us, even though we have Auckland in our name,” he adds.

“Every time we go on the court we are always looking to perform well and with the quality of players we have, it will certainly give us a good chance to win this event. It will also provide players with an opportunity to be tested against international opposition in a high-pressure environment which we do not normally get access to.”

A few notable key players were named in the squad, including current Futsal Whites Elias Billeh, Stephen Ashby, Kareem Osman, Dylan Manickum, Josh Margetts and Eakins himself.

Goalkeeper Mike Antamanov was also named in the squad alongside team mates Sean McIntee, Vincent Pineau, Myron Manickum and Thomas Picken.

Youngsters Hamish Grey, Adam Paulsen and Jimmy Banks were also named.

Goalkeeper Vaughan Somerville will join the team as an assistant coach.

The OFC Champions League will run from 5 – 8 December at the Barfoot and Thompson Stadium in Kohimarama.

Auckland squad for OFC Champions League

Mike Antamanov (GK)
Elias Billeh (GK)
Marvin Eakins
Hamish Grey
Adam Paulsen
Stephen Ashby
Kareem Osman
Jimmy Banks
Dylan Manickum
Myron Manickum
Sean McIntee
Vincent Pineau
Josh Margetts
Thomas Picken

Staff:

Head Coach: Marvin Eakins
Assistant Coach/GK Coach: Vaughan Somerville
Team Manager: David Manickum
Assistant Manager: Robin Broadhurst
Physio: Sean Smit
Media Manager: Mark Casson

Fixtures

Auckland v AS PTT Noumea (NCL)
Thursday 5 December, 8pm

Auckland v D’York Street (VAN)
Friday 6 December, 12pm

Auckland v Kooline FC (SOL)
Friday 6 December 6, 8pm

Auckland v Suva FC (FIJ)
Saturday 7 December 7, 12pm

Auckland v AS Pirae (TAH)
Saturday 7 December, 8pm

Sunday 8 December
TBC

Article added: Tuesday 03 December 2019