Futsal Premier League Preliminary Finals Preview
12 Boys – Sydney City Eagles vs. Inner West Allstars
4th Placed Inner West Allstars are hoping to take 2 scalps in 2 weeks against the Sydney City Eagles.After defeating the higher placed Raiders last week confidence is high in the Homebush based side that they can make consecutive Grand Final appearances in this age group. The Eagles have been very consistent over the course of the season and hold a slender lead in the head to head clashes between the two teams. A 4-3 victory in round 3 and 5-5 draw in round 10 have the Eagles as very slight favorites.
12 Girls – Sydney City Eagles vs. Dural Warriors
A stunning performance by the young Warrior girls last week gives them real hope in overturning their two defeats by the Eagles throughout the competition. Victories in round 1 and round 8 sees the Eagles go in as favourites but both teams finished the season on 28 points with the Eagles finishing in second position by scoring a single goal more.
14 Boys – Sydney City Eagles vs. Mascot Vipers
The Eagles must overcome last weeks terrible showing against Enfield up against an unpredictable Vipers team as they strive to make the Grand final. The Eagles one of only 4 Premiers to not advance directly to the Grand final have defeated the Vipers twice throughout the season 5-3 in round 7 and 6-4 in round 14 to have the edge but the Vipers can beat anyone on their day.
14 Girls – Sydney City Eagles vs. Inner West Allstars
Inner West kept their hopes alive winning a nail biter last weekend and are now up against the dominant team of the competition who lost last weekend via the dreaded penalty shootout. The Eagles hold the upper hand with 2 goal victories in both their clashes throughout the season. But with both teams going into the competition with injuries to key players it could well and truly be survival of the fittest ho moves on to the Grand Final.
16 Boys – Campbelltown City Quake vs. Mascot Vipers
Such was the closeness of the u/16 boys competition the Vipers creeped into the top 4 in the last round but still only finished 3 points behind their Premiership winning opponents of the weekend. Both teams have won one game a piece with Quake winning first in round 5 with a 5-4 victory whilst the Vipers returned the favour with a convincing 7-3 victory in round 12. Both teams come in with contrasting results from the weekend but with the Vipers missing key players the Quake should just get over the line for a rematch with nemesis the Eagles.
16 Girls – Inner West Allstars vs. Enfield Rovers
Both teams finished on 31 points and both teams scored 49 goals but it was the Allstar defence that only leaked 9 goals which could be the key going into this fixture. The Allstars have won both previous encounters against Enfield and go in as favourites. For the Rovers they need to find a away to score pass the Allstars as they?ve only been able to score once in their two fixtures this season.
Youth Mens – Inner West Allstars vs. Mascot Vipers
The Allstars were a mere 33 seconds away from booking their Grand final ticket but 2 moments of magic from the Dural Warriors meant the Allstars would have to battle their way through a Vipers side who needed penalties for their victory last week. The Vipers have been no threat to the Allstars in their two encounters this season with the latter winning both games 4-0. Can the Allstars over come last weeks harrowing defeat? If they can the Grand final rematch should be the match of the day.
Open Womens – Mascot Vipers vs. Sydney City Eagles
The tide seems to have settled for the Eagles, a mini season slump saw them in danger of missing the semis all together but this team have too much experience to go down without a fight. Aiming for 3 consecutive Grand Final appearances they take on a Mascot side that won 3-0 in round 14 to snatch second position from them. The Eagles won the fixture by the same score line in round 7 so this one could go either way. The old experienced Eagles or the young energetic Vipers.
Open Mens – Enfield Rovers vs. Sydney City Eagles
The Enfield Rovers showed some fight last week when a heavy defeat was on the cards and they are going to need every inch of that fighting spirit against an Eagles side that has the title in their sights.Last weeks scintillating victory over the Allstars has the Bankstown based side bubbling with confidence. The Rovers with quality all over the court went into the finals series knowing they were the competitions in form team and with an 8-4 victory over their opponents in round 11 the Rovers are itching for a re match against the Warriors. This one has all the ingredients of a classic.
