Futsal aspirations spelled out by Eakins

Words: ACFC Media

Thursday 5 November 2020

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Futsal Navy Blues Marvin Eakins donned the Auckland City FC jersey for the first time at the team's media day at Bruce Pulman Arena and can't wait for the Men's Futsal SuperLeague to get underway this weekend.

The 34-year-old Futsal White described the pride associated with NRF and Auckland City FC working together to deliver the sport at the highest level.

"It's been a long time coming. I actually trialled for Auckland City FC's ISPS Handa Men's Premiership side ten years ago before going to Hawke's Bay United.

"I was pretty excited to pull on the training kit initially and now I'm getting to see the actual playing kit feels pretty good," he told www.aucklandcityfc.com

The relationship between Northern Regional Football (NRF) and Auckland City FC has been a key element in the realisation of the Futsal Navy Blues this season according to Eakins.

"It's a cool way forward and a good relationship and its about working with clubs that are capable of deliveirng Futsal.

"Auckland City FC have been early adopters in that and really taken to it with key personnel that they've got involved with the club.

FUTSAL - Auckland City FC launch Futsal Navy Blues

Auckland City FC make history as the club launches its Men's Futsal SuperLeague team.

#FutsalNavyBlues

| @PhototekNZ

#StrengthInUnity

Read more https://t.co/71VPnt2HvS pic.twitter.com/kqmrTH9F24
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) November 3, 2020

"I'm excited to see how that's fostered and I know Auckland City FC demand a high standard and so thats now up to the players and staff to live up to that badge," he said.

The Southern Series was completed in Wellington last week with Southern United Futsal taking top spot in a tight weekend of competition and Eakins anticipates more of the same when the Northern Series gets underway at The Peak in Hamilton on Saturday.

"It was a very competitive weekend of games. Its going to be very tight to reach the top four with a single round robin format in place.

"There will be about six teams from the eight fighting for four spots and the front runners were Southern and Central. They'll be in around the fight for the top four.

"There's some challenging teams in Waikato Rapids who will be solid and consistent as they've always been. Northern have some really good players and they're doing some really good things across the Harbour Bridge.

"Bay of Plenty have a lot of flair and workrate. There are certainly going to be points available to be picked up but we've got the squad to make sure we're in a good position going into the final series," he said.

While Eakins was objective in his assessment of the opposition, he was more bullish when talking up the Futsal Navy Blues title chances in 2020.

"We want to win the SuperLeague this year. We've openly declared that. But we know we've got a few things to do before we get there.

Looking forward to seeing @AucklandCity_FC for the Men's Futsal SuperLeague Northern Series this weekend in Hamilton.

For anyone that can't make it, every match will be streamed on https://t.co/9rFYWFYmSW https://t.co/SrSNLNZyhz
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) November 3, 2020

"I think being in a good position and not dropping points this weekend and maintaining that momentum into the final series will be important.

The Futsal Navy Blues campaign gets underway with a derby clash against the Northern Comets at 1.00pm on Saturday before taking on Bay of Plenty Surge the same day at 7.00pm.

The truncated Northern Series concludes for Nic Downes side when they meet Waikato Rapids at 1.00pm on Sunday.

The National Serues is scheduled for November 20-22 at the Bruce Pulman Arena in Papakura, Auckland.

Ends

Futsal Navy Blues Squad for 2020

AC: 1. Mike ANTAMANOV (GK), 2. Yousif Ali AL-KALISY, 3. Myron MANICKUM, 4. Matt LIESHOUT, 5. Jimmy BANKS, 6. Thomas PICKEN, 7. Marvin EAKINS, 8. Josh MARGETTS, 9. Steve ASHBY, 10. Dylan MANICKUM, 11. Hamish GREY, 12. Elias BILLEH (GK), 13. Jake BESENYI, 14. Aalok PAUDEL, 15. Sean McINTEE, 16. Adam PAULSEN, 17. Connor McCONCHIE, 18. Todd BROADHURST, 19. Vaughan SOMERVILLE (GK).

HEAD COACH: Nic DOWNES.
ASSISTANT COACH: Jess VERDON.
TEAM MANAGER: Shivy ANTHONY.
PHYSIO: Aaron COLLIN.

Live Streaming
You can follow every kick of the ball at the Northern Series on November 7-8, 2020, by visiting the NZF Futsal Facebook page available here.

Futsal Navy Blues Fixture List
Find out where, when and how you can watch the Futsal Navy Blues in live action when you click here.

Men's Futsal Super League All Fixtures
If you want to find out more about Futsal Men's SuperLeague competition then click here.

Southern Series - ASB Sports Centre, Wellington
Dragons v Capital 2-5
Central v Southern 7-7
Dragons v Central 3-6
Southern v Capital 5-2
Dragons v Southern 1-4
Capital v Central 2-2

Standings
Southern United 7pts
Central Futsal 5pts
Capital Futsal 4pts
Canterbury United 0