United Returns as Waka Waka New Stars

United, formerly known as Waka Waka All Stars, have confirmed their appearance in the MKS Melbourne Shield 2011.  However, the team has undergone a name change and an overhaul of players.  The new team name is, Waka Waka New Stars, a reversion with a twist to their original name.  The team now consists of:

• Brian Lam (captain)
• Oliver Chung (vice-captain)
• Tavish Thancanamootoo
• Keshav Dhayam
• Kwet Sen Chue

United at the Champions Cup 2010

The only surviving players from United are captain, Briam Lam, and vice-captain, Oliver Chung.  All of the other players are new to the team.  As part of their line-up, Waka Waka New Stars have signed ex-Wolves FC player, Keshav Dhayam.

As Waka Waka All Stars, the team's greatest achievement was finishing in fifth place in the Mauritian Futsal Cup 2010.  In the tournament, Waka Waka All Stars showed great potential as they defeated Pression FC (now Dodos) 1-0 and Black Hawk United 1-0.  They also managed to draw Nioukyen FC and The Replacements, but were defeated by Club Maurice 2-0.  In their last tournament, the Champions Cup 2010, under the name of United, the team finished sixth in their group.  Their performance dropped and they defeated only Not Quite Right 1-0.

Waka Waka All Stars defeat Black Hawk United 1-0 at the Mauritian Futsal Cup 2010

Obviously disappointed at their early exits, especially missing out on qualifying for the Mauritian Futsal Cup 2010 by only 2 points, captain Brian Lam looks back on the tournaments and believes they are to blame for underestimating a few teams.  They performed well against the top four teams, but lost against weaker sides.

Going into the MKS Melbourne Shield 2011, Waka Waka New Stars are hoping to provide a serious challenge to the top teams and a disappointed their they will not get the chance to pit themselves against The Replacements and Club Maurice, who have confirmed that they will not be participating in the tournament.

Their strategy for the tournament is simple: enjoy themselves by trying to win all their matches.

It seems that Waka Waka New Stars are taking a great risk as they have not played together as a team yet.  However, it was the same case for them in the Mauritian Futsal Cup 2010 and they almost qualified then.  So, they are hoping that the new team will have even greater success than the first.