After 13 years with the Futsal Whites, captain Dylan Manickum is set to claim the all-time record of appearances for the national side.
Manickum (31) could make his record-breaking 60th appearance if selected for Monday evening’s game against Fiji at the OFC Futsal Nations Cup.
He equalled the record of 59 games when taking the court at Takinini’s Bruce Pulman Arena in Sunday’s tournament opener against Vanuatu, a game in which he was awarded Player of the Match after New Zealand won 6-3.
Main photo: Dylan Manickum takes the court in Sunday’s game against Vanuatu. Photo: OFC / Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
The eight-nation tournament decides which team will represent Oceania at next year’s FIFA Futsal World Cup in Uzbekistan.
New Zealand have never qualified for a futsal World Cup.
Marking Manickum’s achievement, Futsal Whites head coach Marvin Eakins named the Auckland City playmaker the national side’s captain for the OFC tournament
If anyone knows what it takes to become the Futsal White with the most appearances, it’s Eakins.
He held the record till Manickum equalled it on Sunday.
When Eakins sends Manickum on the court to make the record his own, he’ll watch a player intent on extending that record well beyond 60 games and the 35 goals he’s scored in them.
Interviewed by NewstalkZB’s Jason Pine, Manickum said the Futsal Whites were going into the OFC tournament well-prepared after winning both their recent friendlies against China.
Listen to Dylan Manickum’s interview with Jason Pine
Group A update
The Futsal Whites kick off against Fiji at 7pm (NZT) at Auckland’s Bruce Pulman Arena.
Meanwhile, Vanuatu collected their first win at the tournament with a 20-2 win against luckless Tonga on Monday.
The win gives them the lead in Group A, until New Zealand’s game against Fiji.
New Zealand Futsal Whites squad
Rahan Ali | Moreland Futsal
Mike Antamanov | Auckland City FC
Stephen Ashby-Peckham | Auckland City FC
Jordan Ditfort | Bloomsbury Futsal
Hamish Grey | Unattached
Oban Hawkins | Southern United
Dylan Manickum | Auckland City FC
Ethan Martin | Waikato Rapids
Adam Paulsen | Auckland City FC
Thomas Picken | Auckland City FC
Casey Sharplin | Waikato Rapids
Patrick Steele | Waikato Rapids
Art Twigg | Auckland City FC
Logan Wisnewski | Bloomsbury Futsal
Fixture
Game to be played on Monday October 2, 2023
OFC Futsal Nations Cup
New Zealand v Fiji
Bruce Pulman Arena, Takanini, 7pm (NZT)
STREAM: Watch Futsal Whites play Fiji in OFC Futsal Nations Cup >>>>
READ MORE: Futsal Whites off to flying start with 6-3 win at OFC Futsal Nations Cup >>>>
READ MORE: Coach Marvin Eakins names Futsal Whites squad for World Cup qualifiers >>>>
Result
Game played on Monday October 2, 2023
Group A
Tonga 2 (Hemaloto Polovili 29’, Christopher Kefu 34′)
Vanuatu 20 (Kevin Donald 1′ 15′, Jayson Timatua 10′ 34′ 37′ 39′, Sandy Mesau 17′ 34′, Steve Nona 17′ pen 39′, Michel Coulon 22′, 33′, 40′, own goal 24′, Martin Gete 28′, 30′, George Mahit 31′, 32′ 36′, Kemly Lehi 35′)
OFC Futsal Nations Cup
Entry to the Bruce Pulman Arena is free for all games until finals day on Saturday October 7, 2023.
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