Review - Youth Futsal Championship 2021

Words: ACFC Media

Monday 26 July 2021

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - We take a look back at the recent NZF Youth Futsal Championship in Wellington as Auckland City FC and Northern Regional Football competed within its ongoing partnership at various age group levels for boys and girls.

The eagerly anticipated NZF Youth Futsal Championship got underway in a patchwork fashion courtesy of weather affected travel that saw flights turned back from Wellington.

As a result the competition draw was altered but nevertheless Auckland City FC, in partnership with Northern Regional Football, still managed to see some competitive action for the first time at this level.

The tournament has run for several years, and after taking a break in 2020 due to the pandemic, seven federations and 46 teams entered this year's edition with roughly 550 players taking part in the championship.

U-19 GIRLS
NRF Auckland City FC U-19 Girls finished third in their competition with Canterbury United taking out the section with six straight wins. Capital Futsal claimed second place with a five point buffer between themselves and the Navy Blues.

Results
Auckland City FC 0-3 Canterbury United
Auckland City FC 3-3 Central Futsal
Capital Futsal 4-0 Auckland City FC
Auckland City FC 4-1 Waikato Rapids
Auckland City FC 3-0 Bay of Plenty Surge
Auckland City FC 6-0 Southern United

U-16 GIRLS
NRF Auckland City FC U-16 Girls won their section winning five games and losing just once across their three days of competition. The Navy Blues U-16 girls scored 26 goals and conceded just ten in their six matches.

Futsal Fern and Navy Blues coach Shivy Anthony was pleased with her team’s efforts in Wellington. She said:

“I am really proud of how the girls performed over the course of the weekend. It was great to see how much they improved in the short time they’ve been together. Not only as individuals, but as a team.”

Bay of Plenty Surge 1-8 Auckland City FC
Capital Futsal 0-3 Auckland City FC
Canterbury United 4-6 Auckland City FC
Auckland City FC 1-0 Northern Lights
Capital Futsal 2-6 Auckland City FC
Auckland City FC 2-3 Waikato Rapids

U-14 GIRLS
So near, yet so far for the NRF Auckland City FC U-14 girls side after they finished second to eventual winners Canterbury United. Four consecutive victories ended with a 4-0 defeat to the Cantabrians but despite the loss there were plenty of positives to be celebrated.

Auckland City FC 4-1 Capital Futsal
Waikato Rapids 0-5 Auckland City FC (default win)
Central Futsal 2-4 Auckland City FC
Northern Lights 3-4 Auckland City FC
Auckland City FC 10-2 Bay of Plenty Surge
Canterbury United 4-0 Auckland City FC

U-19 BOYS
NRF Auckland City FC U-19 Boys gave a solid account of themselves picking up three wins and three defeats from their six matches, including two wins in the playoffs to cap off a positive experience.

GROUP STAGE
Auckland City FC 6-1 Southern United
Capital Futsal 3-0 Auckland City FC
Bay of Plenty Surge 3-0 Auckland City FC

PLAYOFFS
Auckland City FC 0-2 Central Futsal
Auckland City FC 4-1 Southern United
Northern Comets 0-1 Auckland City FC

U-16 BOYS
The NRF Auckland City FC U-16 boys scored an impressive 25 goals across their five matches to finish with three wins and two losses for their efforts.

GROUP STAGE
Auckland City FC 9-1 Southern United
Capital Futsal 5-2 Auckland City FC
Bay of Plenty Surge 3-1 Auckland City FC

PLAYOFFS
Auckland City FC 5-1 Northern Comets
Central Futsal 4-8 Auckland City FC

U-14 BOYS
It was a difficult and new experience for the Navy Blues U-14s but with plenty of learning opportunities to be gained. Two wins were the highlight of the competition with Capital Futsal (8-4) and Northern Comets (7-2) unable to compete with the Navy Blues U-14s.

GROUP STAGE
Auckland City FC 4-10 Canterbury United
Capital Futsal 4-8 Auckland City FC
Bay of Plenty Surge 7-1 Auckland City FC

PLAYOFFS
Auckland City FC 7-2 Northern Comets
Waikato Rapids 7-2 Auckland City FC