Futsal – Vipers beaten as Benfica show their pedigree
Mascot almost took the lead inside the 1st minute when Deklan Gilmartin?s goalbound volley from close range was blocked and deflected away for a corner.
Benfica came close with two quick chances when Adrian Pendolfa had a close range shot turned away by keeper Matthew Litata then an Anthony Poniris shot was also saved.
The Vipers twice came close when Nathan Ristevski tipped the ball inside for Brad DiSalvo whose effort flashed just wide then Ristevski took on the Benfica defenders but his shot hit the side netting.
More chances fell to the Vipers as Pat DiSalvo sped down the right side but his shot from outside the area crashed against the post.
Benfica were competing well and opened the scoring when Anthony Poniris skipped down the left side and looped a cross over for Vic Koutsoufis to slam the ball high into the top corner of the net.
Shortly after Benfica made it two when a quick long throw from keeper Wayne Estevao was challenged by three players but the ball appeared to come off the Vipers keeper and arced into the net to make it 2-0.
The Vipers came bearing down on Benfica and targetman Nathan Ristevski with his back to goal set up Pat DiSalvo who forced a great save from keeper Wayne Estevao.
The Vipers scored when Pat DiSalvo sped down the left side and committed the keeper to him then nicely slipped the ball across goal for Nathan Ristevski to tap the ball into the goal to make it 2-1.
The Vipers came in search of an equaliser, a Nathan Ristevski turn and shot forced a great save from Wayne Estevao and shortly after a big goalmouth scramble saw Estevao and his defenders block 3 attempts on goal in very quick succession.
More attempts by Mascot saw Ristevski lay a ball off for Ellie Guilement but his shot went just over and Deklan Gilmartin ran through the middle and his shot produced another great block from Estevao.
Approaching the end of the half Brad DiSalvo hit a great long range shot that Estevao parried away Kane Edwards seized on the ball but his effort hit the crossbar and went over.
As so often happens when a team attacks for a long period they concede a goal. After committing hard in defence Benfica caught Mascot out and grabbed an important goal just before half time when Jason Conara cracked a low shot from the edge of the area into the net to make it 3-1.
Into the second half and Benfica?s started well, Anthony Poniris hit a shot that crashed against the bar and away to safety then Adrian Pendolfa dispossessed a defender but his shot was blocked by keeper Matt Litata and Vic Koutsoufis had a shot also saved by Litata.
Juan Arcila shot wide for Mascot but Benfica were having a good spell as Koutsoufis shot wide then Anthony Poniris hit a shot that Matt Litata did well to parry away.
Mascot were still in the game and Mitomo Somehara came close when he twisted and turned his markers but his shot flashed just wide and Deklan Gilmartin produced another great save from Wayne Estevao.
Benfica took a stranglehold on the game and again it came from a long throw down court. Three players challenged but the ball squeezed between defender and keeper which left Harley De Silva with a simple tap in to make 4-1 to Benfica.
The goal left the home side with a mountain to climb and the fight went out of their game and their passes weren?t going to feet as Benfica continued their control of the contest.
Benfica?s Harley De Silva crossed for Jacob Maruca who fired just wide, Jason Conara fired over and Ali Bazzi was running the ball from deep and causing problems.
In the end Benfica were too cohesive, worked together with good understanding and ran out deserving winners. Mascot had a host of chances especially in the first half but a decisive Benfica goal just before halftime and a couple of defensive lapses did not help them.
Benfica toughed it out when the Vipers had their tail up and kept their shape the whole game and this win should give them plenty of confidence to take on the teams ahead of them in what has been an outstanding debut season in the Premier League.
Teams
Mascot Vipers Sydney Benfica
96. Mitomo Somehara 30. Wayne Estevao
98 Deklan Gilmartin 2. Vic Koutsoufis
68. Kane Edwards 4. Jason Conara
80. Pat Di Salvo 5. Jacob Maruca
95. Juan Arcila 7. Harley De Silva
32. Ellie Guilement 8. Kevin Oliviera
69. Nathan Ristevski 10. Anthony Poniris
21. Brad DiSalvo 11. Adrian Pendolfo
43. Carlos Lopez 9. Ali Bazzi
11. John Pappas 20. Stefen Giglio
1. Matthew Litata
Goals
Mascot Vipers – Nathan Ristevski
Sydney Benfica ? Vic Koutsoufis, Jason Conara, Harley De Silva, Own Goal Vipers
Infringements
Fouls ? Vipers 8, Benfica 9
Yellow Cards – Sydney Benfica 2
Red Cards ? None
Officials – Gareth Williams, Scott Kidson
By Peter Davies
