ROY BLANCHE FUTSAL: 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.