Futsal – Rachael Perrins double stings the Vipers
The Vipers began the game and immediately put pressure on the Benfica defence with Benfica keeper Jessica Edwards called upon to block two fiery shots from the Vipers in the first minute.
Benfica were confined mostly to counter attacks and shots from long distance with Rachael Perrins having a long range effort saved by Vipers keeper Cassandra Nader and Jessica Beale having a shot at goal from a freekick.
Mascot were quicker to the ball and their passing and movement was forcing a determined rearguard effort from all the Benfica players.
Doris Osman forced a great diving save from Jessica Edwards who then had to desperately swat the ball away to prevent the surging Vipers from bundling the ball over the line.
Ceyda Cambas went on a run through the middle of the court but her shot was saved by Edwards and Doris Osman who was involved in much of the Vipers play sped through the centre and forced another save from Edwards.
Benfica took a surprise lead when a Vipers defender was dispossessed bringing the ball away from her goal, Rachael Perrins seized on the ball and shot at goal. Mascot keeper Cassandra Nader got a hand to the ball but couldn?t prevent it from going into the net.
The Vipers poured forward in search of a goal, Doris Osman won an extended tussle for the ball but her cross shot went wide, and Benfica?s Sherel Alpkaya forced a good save from Cassandra Nader.
The Benfica girls held firm, defended well and took a 1-0 lead into half time.
In the 2nd minute of the second half and much to the delight of the Benfica players and contingent around the court Benfica grabbed a second goal when Lorisa Habib received the ball on the edge of the area and drilled it low across the keeper and into the net to make it 2-0.
Benfica were having a good spell and came close again when Sherel Alpkaya determinedly held off challenges from the Vipers defence and ran through the middle of the court but her shot was saved and Lorissa Habib broke through but Nader came out to block her effort also.
The Vipers Nichole Pearce sped down the left but her shot flashed wide, Sienna Fraser?s shot was saved by Edwards and Jessica did well again to stop a Helen Orr effort from point blank range then scrambled the ball away to safety with the Vipers players bearing down on goal.
The urgency in Mascots play was evident and each miss was met with frustration as Helen Orr passed to Erin Hill but her shot skewed wide.
Benfica were mostly intent on defending their lead but a Kate Cohen long range shot forced a good save from Nader.
With five minutes to go Mascot got the breakthrough they needed when Erin Hill?s shot was saved but Ceyda Cambas seized on the loose ball and tucked it into the net.
Buoyed by the goal the Vipers poured forward and one minute later drew level. From a counter attack down the left Erin Hill stepped inside and nicely drilled the ball low inside the keepers right hand post to make it 2-2.
The Vipers were jubilant and could have taken the lead when Ceyda Cambas found some space but her shot forced a good save from Edwards.
After suddenly drawing level there was a sense that it was only a matter of time before Mascot scored again and assumed the lead but Benfica had other ideas.
With three minutes left Rachael Perrins found some space and cracked the winner into the net from the edge of the area to make it 3-2 much to the joy of the Benfica side.
Mascot were a bit shellshocked but poured forward again Doris Osman had a shot saved and Ceyda Cambas poked her effort wide of goal but the Benfica defence kept its shape and held out the Vipers for an impressive win.
Mascot took the game to Benfica right from the start and could have been forgiven for thinking they were going to have an easy game. They pulled level late into the game and looked likely to score again but it was not to be their day.
Benfica had scored first and were never headed in the game and when it came to defending they held their line and repelled their more fancied opponents out to snare a deserved victory that the girls can take a lot of confidence from.
Teams
Mascot Vipers Sydney Benfica
1. Cassandra Nader 2. Emma Brand
11 Sarah Easthope 3. Haley Dick
81. Erin Hill 4. Jessica Beale
48 Emily Usherwood 5. Kate Cohen
49. Doris Osman 6. Rachael Perrins
53. Helen Orr 7. Sherel Alpkaya
55. Cayla White 8. Vanessa Lee
50. Sienna Fraser 9. Lorisa Habib
52. Ceyda Cambas 20. Jessica Edwards
58. Nichole Pearce 12. Emily Fardell
Goals
Mascot Vipers ? Ceyda Cambas, Erin Hill
Sydney Benfica ? Rachael Perrins 2, Lorisa Habib
Infringements
Fouls ? Mascot 3, Benfica 3
Yellow Cards – None
Red Cards – None
Officials – Darius Turner, Scott Kidson
By Peter Davies
