Sydney Benfica FC Youth Minor Premiers, Qualify For Grand Final
Sydney Benfica FC took on the Northern Beaches youth team, with the winner progressing into the Grand Final. By Benfica?s standards the first half was a little scrappy. A 2-0 lead quickly evaporated and both teams went into half time locked at two all.
Coach, Joseph Pinto demanded more intensity in the second half and that is what he got. Benfica hit two quick fire goals taking a 4-2 lead. With seven minutes to go they extended that lead to 5-2. At this point Northern Beaches tried to rough up Benfica?s squad with Ali Bazzi layed out on his back and blood flowing from his teeth. He went on to finish the match and Sydney Benfica FC won their way through to the Grand Final with a 5-3 scoreline.
They will meet the winner of Northern Beaches and the Dural Warriors, who will clash once again next week.
With temperatures hitting over 40 degrees, Sydney Benfica?s men?s team took on the mighty Dural Warriors in what proved to be a cracker of a game. The majority of Benfica?s men worked in that incredible heat during the day, which proved to be energy sapping, at the very least. The young Husky Akil was forced to leave the centre, to represent Bankstown in an outdoor fixture against Sutherland at Seymour Shaw.
Dural drew first blood taking a 1-0 lead, which had Rob Varela pumping his fists with excitement. Soon Benfica equalised which sent their supporters wild. With Dural pressing the leg wearied Benfica squad, they soon took a 2-1 lead into half time. Shortly after the commencement of the second half, Dural extended their lead to 3-1. Enter, young 17 year old Jason Camara. Jason made numerous dangerous runs and before you knew it Benfica drew level at 3 all. Dural?s coach, was visibly upset.
The game ended in controversy, with Dural awarded a 6th foul spot kick, which they proceeded to take where the apparent infringement occurred. Trying to catch Benfica out, the ball was knocked out to the left and over the sideline. The official then blew the whistle and the kick was retaken from the spot. Dural ran out 4-3 winners in another classic.
Sydney Benfica?s mens will now take on Botany Bay Pirates for a chance to meet Dural in the Grand Final.
by Lorenzo D’Addona
