The event – the second consecutive invitational futsal tournament run by OFC – will feature four Oceania nations; New Zealand, New Caledonia, Tahiti and Vanuatu as well as one special guest from the Asian Football Confederation, last year’s runners-up Malaysia.
The Futsal Whites finished third in the 2013 tournament held at the Trusts Stadium in Henderson with the New Zealand side beaten 2-0 the semi-finals by Australia. The home side won the third-placed playoff 1-0 over Tahiti, confirming the Futsal Whites as Oceania champions.
The 12-player Futsal Whites squad for the 2014 event was confirmed earlier this week and includes two players not involved in the recent Trans-Tasman Cup series loss to Australia with James Vaughan and Lucas Da Silva joining the side while captain Marvin Eakins will be on deck for the entire tournament.
Six players from the clash with Australia won’t travel to New Caledonia with Leo Bertos – who has left for India to link up with his new football club East Bengal, Josh Stevenson, Ryan Batty, Tai Barham and Bakr Al-Saudi not included while Miroslav Malivuk is ruled out through injury.
After their third-placed finish last year in an event which also included Australia, Futsal Whites coach Scott Gilligan says the team has a point to prove with Malaysia part of the 2014 tournament.
“This tournament is very important,” Gilligan says, “we finished top of the Oceania teams in this tournament last year, so for us to maintain that is important.
“The first game against Malaysia will be important to show how far we’ve come and Vanuatu has been training four times a week and they are a little bit of a sleeping giant.”
Gilligan says having Eakins back in the mix is a big boost for his side.
“Marvin makes a big difference, just with the steadying influence he brings and his movement as well.”
The first game of the tournament for Eakins and the Futsal Whites is against Malaysia on Tuesday 12 August.
For more on New Zealand football visit www.nzfootball.co.nz

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