Futsal New Zealand:

NZ National Championships - Men

Central Otago took out New Zealands Premier Futsal Trophy when they defeated Auckland in winning the Vikings Futsal NZ National Provincial Championships (NPC) in Christchurch Feb 5-7th 2010.

The NPC is New Zealands top Futsal event which pitted Provincial representative sides from around the country together to be crowned National Champion. The Central Otago side was selected from the Queenstown senior mens league and with a huge Brazilian community in the resort town brought the Samba flair to the NPC.

On the final day of competition four sides (Auckland, Canterbury, Central Otago and Otago) all had the chance to make the final. Auckland booked their spot first with a hard fought draw against Otago 2 all, then Central Otago saw off Canterbury 5-2 to set up a final between the two unbeaten sides.

Central Otago scored first but this was cancelled out quickly by a Bakr Alsaudi (AKL) strike. Central then restored their lead just before half time with a well worked counter attack. The second half remained very tight then with 10 to play Central found the back of the net which left the northerners playing catch up. The Aucklanders replaced their keeper and played with a 5th man, but turnovers lead to two further goals for Central Otago before Alsuadi picked up is second with 90second left.

For now, all the competitors await the announcement of Gui Costa's National Mens side to prepare for the (AMF) World Futsal Associations Futsal X World Cup to be held in Bogota and other cities, Columbia March 2011.

NZ National Championships - women

Canterbury Women Reign Supreme

Canterbury have proved to be the top province in New Zealand for womens Futsal after winning the Vikings NZ National Provincial Championships (NPC) in Christchurch Feb 5-7th 2010.

Canterbury went through the event unbeaten and ran out winners in the final 5-1 against a very plucky South Canterbury side who showed they have the talent to challenge the Cantabs in the future.

Experienced former White Fern (NZ Football side) and current New Zealand Futsal team captain, Mel Anngow, led the way with two goals in the opening 6 minutes as Canterbury jumped out to an early 2 nil lead. South Canterbury pulled one back but the two goal buffer was restore just before half time as Canterbury went into the break up 3-1.

The second half mirrored the first as Canterbury score two further quick goals and then absorbed any pressure that South Canterbury put on them. The final was of a very high standard as was the entire womens division. New Zealand womens coach Paul Wadsworth has indicated there will be some new faces in his National Womens side as the prepare for an upcoming World Futsal Association (AMF) II Womens World Cup.