Futsal – Dural Warriors maul old rivals Sydney Benfica
The Dural Warriors picked up their second win of the new season against their old foes Benfica with a solid 3-0 victory. These two clubs have fought some titanic matches in the past when participating in the Super League but tonight Dural seemed to have the edge for the majority of the game.
Dural threatened Benfica?s goal in the opening minute when Rhys Giovenali cut in from the right and unleashed a fierce shot that keeper Josh Da Palma did well to parry away.
Minutes later the Warriors appealed in vain for a handball in the area against Marcelo De Andrade but the defender clearly did not have time to move his hand out of the way.
The Warriors were doing most of the pressing but Benfica were always dangerous especially on the break and nearly took the lead when Adrian Pandolfa outpaced his marker down the right side and his cross shot was almost turned in by Ahilan Ratnamohan at the far post.
Benfica threatened again with a well worked move when Osmar De Barros skipped around the outside of his marker passed the ball to Itaua Batista but his shot was well blocked by Ian Pemberton
Durals Ben Pollock came close when he received the ball with his back to goal and with a quick shimmy turned his defender expertly but his shot went just wide.
Adrian Pandolfa pounced on a loose ball but his shot was well blocked by Pemberton. Then just before half time Durals Ben Lawson ran forward and his long range shot was pushed over by Josh Da Palma. Neither side could break the deadlock so the two sides went to the break all tied up at 0-0.
The second half began like the first at a moderate pace with both sides intent on maintaining possession. An Osmar De Barros shot was saved by replacement keeper Josh Codrington and Josh Da Palma made a great block to deny Brett Stapylton.
Eight minutes into the second half and Dural broke the deadlock when the tireless Ben Lawson received the ball on the right side and cracked a brilliant low scorching drive across the keeper and into the bottom corner of the net.
The Warriors went further ahead when Brett Stapylton seized on a loose ball and with his back to goal and turned his marker and slammed ball past the keeper to make it 2-0.
The speed of the game intensified and the contest for the ball was keener as Benfica were forced to lift the pace of the game. Tackles flew in and a couple of yellow cards were issued to both sides.
Dural were continuing to attack even though they led 2-0 and with 8 minutes left to go Dural virtually put the game beyond doubt when Daniel Codrington received a cross court pass and popped up at the far post to smash the ball into the top corner to make it 3-0.
Benfica kept coming at Dural desperate to restore some pride with Batista, Ratnamohan, and Mark Pinto all having chances but in the end Benfica lacked the killer instinct in front of goal, the Warriors defence held firm and Benfica were kept scoreless on this occasion.
Warriors Coach Robert Varela commented that a big difference with Premier League is that there is never an easy match and pointed out that the side always needed to be on their game in order to win. Robert was delighted that so many local Youth players that they have been developing as a group over the years are stepping up and performing with credit in the Premier League.
Goals
Dural : Ben Lawson, Brett Stapylton, Daniel Codrington
Benfica : nil
Infringements
Yellow Cards : Brett Stapylton, Daniel Codrington ( Dural)
Alberto Crocco, Adrian Pandolfo ( Benfica)
Red Cards : Nil
Penalties : Dural 4, Benfica 5
Teams
Dural Sydney Benfica
1. Josh Codrington 30. Wayne Estevao
2. Engelo Rumora 20. Josh Da Palma
4. Ben Lawson 3. Marcelo De Andrade
5. Brett Stapylton 7. Osmar De Barros
6. Michael Thornton 10. Itaua Batista
8. Adam Bradley 17. Alberto Crocco
11. Ian Pemberton 6. Mark Pinto
7. Rhys Giovenali 4. Kevin Oliveira
9. Daniel Codrington 11. Adrian Pandolfo
17. Zach Caruana 12. Ali Bazzi
18. Ben Pollock
Officials : Scott Kidson, Gavin Lee
by Peter Davis
