Fusion FC from the fledgling EA Sports B.C. Premier Soccer League proved to be a dominant force at last weekend's Provincial Fustal Championships at the Richmond Olympic Pval.
The BCPSL squad captured three of the four titles up for grabs. Fusion swept the U16 boys and girls division and also added the U14 boys title. Preventing a clean sweep was the Central City Breakers Elite A (Surrey) capturing the U14 girls crown.
Fusion FC is a collaboration between Vancouver FC and Richmond Soccer Association.
"We are immensely proud of all of our teams achievements this past weekend as our players and coaches put in a lot of hard work and effort into these Provincial Futsal Championships," said Fusion technical director and Richmond native Jason Jordan. "We were pleased to be able to participate in this event which demonstrates how Futsal can help with the development of our young soccer players in this country."
The U14 boys' team was undefeated in its three round robin games before beating Surrey United 3-1 in the gold medal game. Tri-Cities Futbol took the bronze medal. In the U16 boys' competition, Fusion FC won all three round robin games and then beat Abbotsford's Magnuson Ford Mariners FC (A), 6-2 in the final. Mountain FC took home bronze. The girls U16 championship saw Fusion FC's U16 team overcome Surrey United 3-1. Its U15 team took the bronze.
Central City won all four of their games including a 5-0 win over club mates Central City Breakers Elite (B) in the U14 girls final.
Futsal is a variant of soccer that is played on a smaller pitch and mainly played indoors. Its name is a blend of the Portuguese futebol de salão and the Spanish fútbol de salón which can be translated as "hall football" or "indoor football'.
In addition to the provincial futsal championships, the national futsal team wrapped up a three-day camp featuring 22 players from across the country along with head coach Sipho Sibiya and his staff.
Canada is in its early preparations for the 2012 CONCACAF Futsal Qualifiers, with dates and location for the confederation qualification dates yet to be announced. Canada has hopes of winning a spot at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 next November.
"It was good for us to take a look at the players from all across the country," said Sibiya, who made several scouting trips in different regions before calling in 22 players to the national camp in Richmond.
As part of the weekend itinerary, Canada held three training sessions plus an East versus West intra-squad exhibition match which was watched by an enthusiastic crowd on Saturday night.
