Photos and story from a hugely successful Durham Futsal Showcase

Tuesday, 01 February 2011 18:15 administrator

It was another classic tilt between two of Canada's top futsal clubs that wrapped up another successful edition of the Durham Futsal Showcase event that took place in Oshawa this past Sunday night. A dozen great photos here, courtesy of Kathleen George.

A full match video is coming online to Futsal Canada very shortly. 

Canadaian national keeper Roy Blanche scores on a penalty

Over 500 spectators from Durham Region were treated to a spectacle of excellent futsal skills by local Durham youth futsal teams along with a main event match between the Toronto Impact and Futsal Club Toronto.

Canadian national player Alex Lopez (white) tries to fend off two FCT players

The Showcase started off with an exhibition between the Oshawa Turul vs Ajax Avalanche U13 girls. Both squads, playing in the Toronto Futsal League, gave the crowd a great taste of the 5 a side game with players such as Ajax's Teanna thompson and Oshawa's Emily Coons giviing good notice to the rest of the region that the futsal isn't just for the boys.

Alex Tushingham of Rogers TV came out to interview some of the young future stars of Canadian futsal before the DRSA Futsal Development Program came out for another friendly, much to the applause of the home crowd.

Then it was time for what all had been waiting for, the marquee matchup between the two Toronto rivals, featuring a combined 7 players that have represented Canada at numerous international competitions. The Impact and FCT went back and forth throughout the first half, meticulously trying to find an opening in the other's defence. Each team played very disciplined and countered goals early on and relentlessly laced shot after shot before going into halftime tied up at 2-2.

It was FCT's Elbio Lombardi that opened up the game in the 2nd half after striking a vicious shot into the bottom left corner that Impact keeper Andres had no chance on to put FCT up 3-2. With 10 minutes remaining in the game, FCT were awarded a penalty shot when top Canadian defender Alvaro Yaques was tripped up in the crease. It was fellow national teammate and goalkeeper Roy Blanche who stepped up to take it. Blanche had no problem whatsoever as he perfectly rifled the ball into the top corner to double up on the Impact and that is they would need as FCT kept a share of top spot in the TFL along with Real Toronto with a 4-2 victory.

For more information on the Durham Futsal Program, check out their website at www.durhamregionsoccer.com and click on futsal.

Oshawa Turul and Ajax Avalanche U13 girls have built a great rivalry this season

National futsal keeper is happy to sign some autographs for his fans.

Leo Laurito (left) looks to hold off Toronto Impact star Julio Garcia

A pair of girls vying for the ball

National team player, Alvaro Yaques (left), holds off on Alex Lopez (2nd right) and Josh Jaramillo (far right)

The DRSA Futsal Program is looking to turn youngsters like these boys into futsal stars of tomorrow

It's an open ball in mid-court during the Ajax/Oshawa U13 game.

21 year old phenom Josh Jaramillo (right) looking to pass away from FCT's Elbio Lombardi (left)

Durham Region Soccer Association hosting a Futsal Coaching Workshop with National Team Keeper Roy Blanche

Tuesday, 21 December 2010 11:07 administrator

In the lead up to their epic January 30th Futsal Showcase Games, The Durham Region Soccer Association, in conjunction with the Ontario Soccer Association, is hosting a fantastic introductory futsal coaching course on Sunday January 9th led by Canadian National Futsal Goalkeeper, Roy Blanche.

It will be a full day course that will infuse some beginning futsal coaching philosophies along with some high performance drills that will definitely add another valuable weapon to any futsal or soccer coach's arsenal. It is open to everyone and there are no pre-requisites required.

The course will run from 9am-4pm at the spectacular triple-gym at the campus of Durham College and will feature a very informative, comfortable, and engaging morning session dedicated to learning about futsal rules along with understanding the basic formations, positions, and movements of the game.

The afternoon component will be on court to maximize the learning potential and show first-hand how the sport is played. Blanche, one of Canada's most decorated futsallers of all time, is the most capped player in history and brings a wealth of information that you won't find anywhere else. Blanche will also be suiting up for his team, Futsal Club Toronto, when they take on the Toronto Impact at 6pm in the 2nd annual DRSA Futsal Showcase, a game that will feature several national players. Admission is free to all and is sure to be one of the top futsal events of the season.

The cost of the course is a mere $20 and will be worth every penny and then some. These courses have already taken place in London, York Region, Newmarket and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. There will likely not be another until next season so get registered now before it gets full.

DATE: Sunday January 9th, 2011
TIME: 9-4pm
LOCATION: Durham College Campus Fitness and Wellness Centre in Oshawa
COST: $20.00 per coach
REGISTRATION: www.durhamregionsoccer.ca under the Futsal tab

CONTACT: Rich Hirst
Technical Director
Durham Region Soccer Association
(905)436-8620 ext. 25
rhirst@soccer.on.ca

Canadian National Futsal Goalkeeper Roy Blanche earns shutout in CSL

Monday, 09 August 2010 14:29 administrator

Final Score:.....Brampton Lions..........1..............Brantford Galaxy.............0

Courtesy of "Rocket" Robin Glover and can be seen in whole at http://22066.vws.magma.ca/

Attendance was about 150 on this warm day that had a threat of rain before the game began, a few drops fell at 26 minutes but had stopped a few minutes later.  The sun came out for the second half which turned out to be a disadvantage for the Galaxy.

Roy Blanche earned the shutout for the Lions.  He had to be brilliant to make some point blank stops on Galaxy chances.  It probably helps that he plays so much Futsal.   Right from the 4th minute he had Nenad Begovic take a 30 yard freekick chip from the right that BG Ranko Golijanin take a midair 10 yard kick that Blanche blocked and BC Mark Reilly rolled an 8 yarder that he smothered.  Blanche cleared the ball but then collapsed with an injury.

One piece of luck Blanche had was at 51 minutes when Golijanin on a rush on the left took a low cross that forced Blanche to guard the left post;  Reilly then had an 8 yard shot to the open net but put it over the bar.  At 57 minutes BG Maralis Beckford  was given a through ball on the right and his low 12 yard shot to the left side was stopped by Blanche's great foot save.  At 70 minutes Begovic took a cornerkick from the right that dropped in the box and Golijanin kicked a 6 yard shot that the sliding goalie blocked and tipped the ball wide left of the post.  More Lions luck on the resulting cornerkick as Bogovic from the left sent the ball into the box and BG Zachary Tait headed the ball wide right from 4 yards on the right post.