The Replacements: Defending Champions

Since the inception of the original Champions Cup, in the winter of 2009, and thus, the inception of the MKS Melbourne futsal tournaments, The Replacements have been the only champions in all competitions.  The Replacements' trophy cabinet currently holds the following:

• Mauritian Futsal Cup 2010 - Winners
• RMIT Soccer Challenge 2010 - Winners
• Champions Cup Spring 2009 - Winners
• Champions Cup Winter 2009 - Winners
• RecWest Cup - Runners Up
• RMIT Soccer Challenge 2009 - Winners

 With back-to-back victories in both the RMIT Soccer Challenge and the Champions Cup, and being crowned champions in the first ever Mauritian Futsal Cup, their RecWest runners up achievement is the only black mark on their otherwise impression record.  Having won the last two Champions Cup, they return as defending champions and will certainly give all participating teams a run for their money.  Their motivation is likely to have increased since the introduction of the Champions Cup trophy.

If The Replacements win the Champions Cup 2010 tournament, they will win the tournament for the third successive time.  However, MKS Melbourne has cleared decreed that if that happens, The Replacements will not be walking away with the Champions Cup trophy as the title count for the trophy begins from the Champions Cup 2010 tournament itself.  Having previously won back-to-back, and having shown that this is a feat not beyond them, this will surely bolster their resolve.

Their line-up has changed vastly since forming and first playing in FutsalOz, however, they seem to have plenty of depth in their team and have always brought quality players who have been able to step up to the occasion.  In the upcoming Champions Cup 2010 tournament, their line-up is as follows:

• Jason Cheong (captain)
• Cameron Holmes (vice captain)
• Ahmed Badawy
• Simone Tortorici
• Duong Pham
• James Bush

The team captain, Jason Cheong, and vice captain, Cameron Holmes, are the two main stay of the team.  In the Mauritian Futsal Cup (MFC) 2010 finals against Club M, The Replacements had a nightmare start with Club M scoring right from kick-off.  However, Cameron Holmes, with some trademark team play from The Replacements, neutralized the deficit and Jason Cheong scored the tournament-winning goal late into the match.

James Bush, The Replacements' first choice goal-keeper, was unavailable to play in the MFC 2010 and many competing teams saw this as a great opportunity to bring down The Replacements.  However, Duong Pham, The Replacements' striker filled in between the posts and quickly showed his opponents his depth both as an attacker and defender.


Significant changes in The Replacements' line-up includes missing players Nicholas Sin, Michael Whan Kan, and Dean Singh.  Nicholas Sin is currently on loan in Mauritius, rookie Michael Whan Kan is unavailable, and Singapore international Dean Singh is also unavailable.  This is the first MKS Tournament that Dean Singh will be missing.  Along with Jason Cheong and Christopher Cheong, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation, he one of the founding members of The Replacements and has proven to be a solid defender.

With such quality players missing from their ranks, opponents are surely seeing this as another opportunity to defeat The Replacements and make the first mark on the Champions Cup trophy.  However, The Replacements are bringing in two new players to their team in this tournament: Ahmed Badawy and Simone Tortorici.  Some opposing teams may have seen Ahmed Badawy play in the RMIT Soccer Challenge 2010 against The Replacements, who emerged triumphant.  It seemed that Ahmed made an impression on The Replacements as he was recruited into their ranks after the tournament.  Simone Tortorici will likely be an unknown to other teams as it is his first participation in an MKS Melbourne futsal tournament.

 Jason Cheong states that The Replacements have no rivalries with any other teams, but it may be different for the other teams though.  That may well be true, as after having stamped their authority and superiority on the MKS Melbourne tournaments, other teams have been particularly seeking to play against The Replacements.  This was strongly apparent in the Mauritian Futsal Cup.  However, The Replacements have proven themselves as the top team in the MKS Melbourne tournaments.

With The Replacements missing quality players and bringing in two new recruits, it seems that a change is on the way.  But one is unsure if it's a change for the better or for the worse.  The competition level has increased in the MKS Melbourne tournaments, and The Replacements were in doubt in the early stages of the Mauritian Futsal Cup 2010.  Their opponents' resolve have also been bolstered by the introduction of the Champions Cup trophy and are also seeking to make the very first mark on the new silverware.