Futsal State League Grand Final Review
It was an intense day of Futsal action as Valentine Sports Park played host to the 2017-2018 Futsal State League Grand Finals, Football NSW reporter Justin Davies was there to cover all the action that unfolded in each age category.
12 Boys
West City Crusaders prevailed in an entertaining start to the Futsal State League Grand Finals Day with a pulsating 6-4 win against St George City FA in the 12 Boys.
The action started from the off, as St George City FA’s Lucas Andrade converted from the spot after a handball was spotted by the officials for the 1-nil lead after three minutes.
It didn’t take long for the Crusaders to strike back. Diesel Zaccazan glided well down the wing before he slammed it home for 1-1.
From there, the Crusaders opened up the floodgates – Micallef continued to be a danger with a pair of chances, the first which was well saved before he piloted the second into the net for 2-1.
The see-saw nature of the contest continued as Eren Kumsuz restored parity for St George City before Micallef slalomed through the defense twice to make it 4-2 West City Crusaders FC at the break.
Micallef completed his scoring six minutes after the break from the spot. The speedster sent the keeper the wrong way for 6-3 in a highlight reel contest that set a magnificent tone for the day.
Tarik Kumsuz joined his brother on the St George City FA scorers list in the 35th minute, as the brothers combined for three goals alongside elder brother Tacettin made for a good day for the Kumsuz family.
MATCH STATS
Referees: Paul Jones, Gail Wilcocks and Elio Valente
West City Crusaders 6 (Micallef 4 and Zaccazan)
St George City FA 4 (E. Kumsuz 2, T. Kumsuz and Andrade)
West City Crusaders FC: 34 Hamish Fellows 38 Cooper Herc 39 Mario kriaris 35 Caleb Micallef 21 Nathanial Owen 36 Joshua Taylor 33 Kyah Williams 37 Diesel Zaccazan COACH: Taryn Rockall ASST. COACH: Trent Williams MANAGER: Rob Rockall
St George City FA: 2 Lucas Andrade 3 Daniel Cvetanovski 4 Dominic Konjarski 6 Eren Kumsuz 5 Tarek Kumsuz 7 Alessandro Romeo 8 Dion Vallianos 9 Nicholas Zdrilic 10 Declan Carmichael COACH: Serafettin Kumsuz MANAGER: Alec Vallianos
13 Girls
Sutherland Sharks FC were crowned 13 Girls champions, after a goal onslaught in extra-time saw them run out 7-2 winners over a gallant SD Raiders side.
It took only 120 seconds for the scorers to be troubled. Meagan Lennox was played through expertly with a through ball before she slid the ball underneath the Raiders keeper for 1-nil.
Most of the half was a tense battle between two closely matched sides. The half was bookended by goals as the SD Raiders struck back through winger Maja Prostran with some help from the crossbar that sent it into the break 1-1.
Scoring right before the break lifted the Raiders spirits, as they turned the game on it’s head in the 24th minute. Siena Hawkins showed some superb control and guile to evade defenders before lashing home for 2-1.
Their joy was shortlived, as Sharks responded within two minutes of the restart. Amelia Feeney profited from a loose pass to blast it into the net, and suddenly, it was level.
Both teams had prime chances to settle the contest, as the Sharks wasted three golden chances with Lennox, denied from a point-blank save from Raiders custodian Tina Lakic, so off to extra-time.
In the additional period, it was all Sutherland. Feeney smashed one home in the 43rd before she and Lennox crashed through the Raiders defense in waves. Lennox scored right on the buzzer of half-time in extra-time for 4-2.
That crushed the Raiders spirits, as Feeney added two more tallies, both in the 48th minute as Lennox fired the final blow with an arrowed effort for the dominant 7-2 final score.
MATCH STATS
Referees: Alex Rajani, Guy Laurenceson and Stan Allatt
SD Raiders 2 (Prostran ’20 and Hawkins ’24)
Sutherland Sharks FC 7 (Lennox ‘2, ’45 and ’49 and Feeney ’26, ’43, ’48, ’49)
SD Raiders: 1 Tina Lakic 2 Maja Prostran 3 Milica Aleksic 4 Laura Gomes 5 Tatiana Sivac 6 Tayla Agostino 7 Tahlia Voskanian 8 Chloe Doan 10 Siena Hawkins 25 Ella Abdul Massih COACH: Sergio Malfara ASST. COACH: Nicky Carle ASST. COACH: Adrian Iorfino MANAGER: Kaitlyn Doan
Sutherland Sharks FC: 41 Darcy Ereckson 37 Amelia Feeney 43 Maya Abidin 31 Meagan Lennox 36 Jorja Mcdonald 40 Giuliana Nicholas 39 Tara Palmer 42 Lucy Rader 36 Imogen Woolnough COACH: Dione King MANAGER: Vanessa Ereckson
14 Boys
West City Crusaders FC made it two from two in Grand Finals after taking out a tense 14 Boys fixture 2-1 against Sutherland Sharks FC this morning at Valentine Sports Park.
The Crusaders made a fast start to the contest, as Liam Austin sprung free in only the third minute to crash home for 1-nil.
Sutherland Sharks showed their grit in response to the early setback, as a slick interchange of passes prised the opening before a Crusaders defender turned it into their own net to level things up once again at 1-1.
Between two stubborn structures, chances were at a premium. Nicholas Sharp had a pair of chances to restore the Crusaders lead, but the youngster, firstly, rattled the post before blazing a cut-back over before the break.
In a tense game, it took a moment of magic to unlock the defenses. From a deep pass, Thomas Bird smartly hooked the ball low and across the keeper to nestle it in the net for 2-1.
Sharp had a third chance to get himself on the scoresheet for the Crusaders when he broke clear through, left one-on-one but denied by some intelligent keeper work to keep the Sharks in the contest.
There was one final chance for the Sharks, as Jacob Tresoglavic found a pocket of space at the far post. The forward tried an audacious back-heel which trickled wide, as West City Crusaders ran out 14 Boys champions.
MATCH STATS
Referees: Gail Wilcocks, Elio Valente and Paul Jones
Sutherland Sharks FC 1 (OG ‘5)
West City Crusaders 2 (Austin ‘2 and Bird ’22)
Sutherland Sharks FC: 37 Sean Peters 39 Alexander Lukacs 40 Oscar Lopez 41 Lachlan Macdonald 42 Dylan Petitcuenot 43 Luca Losacco 44 Thomas Kanti 45 Kaya Sudarma 46 Desharn Dzeparoski 47 Thomas Crnjak 48 Jacob Tresoglavic COACH: John Pladas MANAGER: John Peters
West City Crusaders FC: 28 Liam Austin 24 Thomas Bird 30 Nicholas D’ Sena 23 Riley D’ Sena 32 Brayden Laing 31 Bailey Miles 29 Marco Perri 19 Nicholas Sharp 37 Diesel Zaccazan 33 Kyah Williams 21 Nathanial Owen COACH: Joe Perri MANAGER: Dean Austin
15 Girls
International Football School FC put on a clinic as they trashed Sutherland Sharks FC 6-1 in a one-sided 15 Girls final today at Valentine Sports Park.
From the opening whistle, the IFS side showed their intent, as Ashleigh Bax cut inside well, feigned to shoot before cushioning the ball for Iona Snape to arrow home for 1-nil.
Less than a minute later, the lead became two. Emily Downs this time, created some space before she fired home as the Sharks were left shellshocked from the opening salvo.
Once the contest settled into a constant rhythm of IFS dominating possession and the Sharks trying to counter quickly. Their press worked just before the break, as Daniella Batten pounced on an errant pass to slot home for 2-1.
IFS quickly restored their two-goal cushion in the 17 minute, Iona Snape completed her first half brace when she expertly tapped home. The Football School wasn’t finished there, as Bax joined the party with a thrashed free-kick for 4-1 at half-time.
The Football School rammed home their advantage in the second half, as Piper Menteith was on the spot for the fifth before Snape completed an all-round performance with her hat-trick. The forward showed her poacher instincts with a tap-in in the 37th minute.
MATCH STATS
Referees: Kevin Taylor, Stan Allatt and Alex Rajani
International Football School FC 6 (Snape ‘1, ’17 and ’37, Bax ’19 Downs ‘2 and Menteith ’33)
Sutherland Sharks FC 1 (Batten ’16)
International Footbal School FC: 76 Ashleigh Bax 5 Paris Blair 2 Tanaysha Carr 6 Emily Downs 1 Sian Johnson 51 Indirayne McClelland 93 Mia McFarlane 3 Summer McShane-Cale 65 Piper Menteith 7 Iona Snape 41 Alyssa Togo COACH: Fredy Perez MANAGER: Peter Blair
Sutherland Sharks FC: 24 Paris Alcorn 21 Chloe Barley 12 Daniella Batten 22 Zoe Chapman 25 Kyra Ereckson 15 Georgia Ethell 20 Lexus Jones 31 Meagan Lennox 13 Mia Murarotto 26 Emma-Jane Winston COACH: Vince Blatch MANAGER: Jennifer Barley
16 Boys
St George City FA’s second half onslaught was enough to earn them the 16 Boys final after an eight-goal contest aginst Northern Beaches Breakers.
Northern Beaches Breakers in their sole Grand Final this afternoon struck gold after three minutes. Zachery Prince found a pocket of space before he slotted home for 1-nil.
Justin Murray had a chance to further the Breakers lead in the seventh minute when the forward flashed an effort wide of the left post.
It was the turn of the number four for St George City to stride forward. Erik Attard weaved his way past defenders before he rifled wide. City’s pressure tolled in the 12th minute after Christian Sicari found the back of the net.
From there, St George City lifted as Frank Plakogiannis handed them the lead in the 14th minute. The pressured the Breakers defense which forced a turnover that Plakogiannis finished.
Murray chastened from his earlier miss, made up for it in the 28th minute. The forward restored parity with a powerful effort, making it 2-2, as the tension rose, headed into the final ten minutes.
St George City snatched the lead right back though Jayden Todorovski in the 32nd minute before some brilliant interplay between Attard and Salachoris saw the former tap into an empty net for 5-2. Salachrosi minutes earlier added the fourth with a smashed effort.
For Northern Beaches, they found late consolation through Murray’s brace. The forward finished well to round out the eight-goal thriller.
MATCH STATS
Referees: Khaled Aly, Steve Dalmazio and Chris Codling
Northern Beaches Breakers 3 (Prince ‘3, Murray ’28 and ’40)
St George City FA 5 (Sicari ’12, Plakogiannis ’14, Todorovski ’30, Salachoris ’32 and Attard ’34)
Northern Beaches Breakers FC: Nicholas Kayik 2 Kenta Aruga 3 Charlie Wheeler 4 Zachery Prince 5 Wiktor Pienkowski 6 Alexander Pienkowski 7 Justin Murray 8 Nayden Ilic 9 James Riolino 10 Connor Slater 11 Andrew Ferrara 12 Dean Richos COACH: Brenon Zappia ASST. COACH: Ralph Capasso MANAGER: John Kayik
St George City FA: 4 Erik Attard 13 Jack Gibson 7 Kai Gomes 5 Benjamin North 9 Frank Plakogiannis 8 Christian Sicari 14 George Salachoris 3 Jayden Todorovski COACH: Serafettin Kumsuz MANAGER: Belinda Gibson
18 Women
It was the late, late show for International Football School FC, as they needed two late extra-time strikes to prevail against a stubborn Sutherland Sharks FC, 2-0 this afternoon.
The first half was a tense battle of chess between the two sides, as neither gave an inch so chances were at a premium, with the sides went to the break at nil-all.
Right after the break, Sutherland Sharks almost found the opening when Maryam Mostaghimi created some space before she unleashed a stinging shot that IFS keeper Samantha Fulwood shoveled over the bar.
As time started to tick down, both teams opened up their game but the chances were still rare. Keziah White had the chance to prevent extra-time but her effort flashed wide of the left post, so an extra ten minutes was needed.
Gemma Clegg fired the first shot of the extended period when she rifled wide before Rory McNally for the Sharks almost hooked one into the net, but it trickled harmlessly wide.
Everyone’s least favourite time, penalties loomed large but IFS saved themselves from the dreaded spot-kicks. Nina Collins showed desire to pounce on the ball first from a scramble to make it 1-nil then Jessica Garrett rolled in a second to large cheers from the IFS fans.
MATCH STATS
Referees: Guy Laurenceson, Chris Plowright and Kevin Taylor
International Football School Futsal Club 2 (Collins ’49 and Garrett ’50)
Sutherland Sharks FC 0
International Football School FC: 67 Gemma Clegg 49 Nina Collins 8 Erica Di Sciascio 13 Samantha Fulwood 45 Jessica Garrett 15 Ruby Kesteven 12 Teal Kilbride 14 Sara Piriz 74 Keziah White COACH: Andrew Peachey
Sutherland Sharks FC: 11 Akala Howell 28 Ashley Limnios 10 Georgia Manos 17 Rory McNally 14 Maryam Mostaghimi 30 Amelia Rader 18 Jess Meads 9 Nicole Besz COACH: Eddie Mostaghimi MANAGER: Maureen Mostaghimi
Youth Men
St George City FA were crowned the Futsal State League Youth Mens champions, despite a late scare from a courageous SD Raiders side, 5-4 tonight at Valentine Sports Park.
Today was Tacettin Kumsuz’s day. The powerful striker bagged four goals in an impressive display that tore a formative SD Raiders line-up to pieces although the Raiders held their own, as the scoreline was 2-2 at half-time.
SD Raiders were the first team in this nine-goal thriller to find the scoresheet, as Matthew Barkho was found slickly before the forward arrowed into the corner for 1-nil.
The first of Kumsuz’s strikes was a superb outside of the foot rasping strike that left the SD Raiders keeper rooted to the spot. Next, the Wanderers youth product lunged into space before he rounded Matthew Massarotto then rolled it into an empty net for 2-1.
In a tough, physical game both teams accumulated the fouls quickly. So, both Barkho and Kumsuz had a chance from the spot but neither could find the net before the break.
Raiders started fast again, after half-time, Walid Hassan smoothly turned his defender before he rifled a shot into the net for 2-2 just two minutes after the resumption.
The goal woke up the City attack, as first Seyfullah Eser found the net to retake the lead then the main man, Kumsuz sparkled with a solo effort for a 4-2 scoreline headed into the final ten minutes. Kumsuz redeemed himself from his earlier penalty miss, as he slammed in St George City’s fifth of the afternoon.
SD Raiders weren’t going quietly into the night. Barkho completed his brace as he tapped in from close range then Adrian Monge sent nerves jangling as he poked home in the 38th minute, making it 5-4 with time ticking.
St George City FA were able to hold their nerve and secure their second Grand Final victory of the day, making a good return for the southern Sydney side.
MATCH STATS
Referees: Taha Marabani, Chris Codling and Khaled Aly
SD Raiders 4 (Barkho ‘2 and ’35, Hassan ’22 and Monge ’36)
St George City FA (Kumsuz ’12, ’17, ’28 and ’33 and Eser ’25)
SD Raiders:51 Matthew Massarotto 2 Daniel Kiseloski 4 Walid Hassan 5 Benjamin Lang 6 Joseph Fahmi 8 Adrian Monge 9 Mathew Barkho 10 Franco Maya Valiente 13 Matthew Joseph 14 Giancarlo Castro 79 Daniel Ibrahim 97 Danie Martellotta COACH: Sergio Malfara ASST. COACH: Nicky Carle ASST. COACH: Adrian Iorfino MANAGER: Diego Molina
St George City FA: 4 Erik Attard 13 Dylan Drakoulis 17 Seyfullah Eser 7 Kai Gomes 20 Nathan Hancock 21 Hadi Hijazi 22 Brima Kanu 18 Tacettin Kumsuz 5 Benjamin North 9 Frank Plakogiannis 3 Jayden Todorovski COACH: Serafettin Kumsuz ASST. COACH: Aytek Genc MANAGER: David Attard
Open Women
It was a hat-trick of Grand Finals in the Futsal State League for International Football School, as they triumphed 2-1 over a gallant West City Crusaders FC tonight at Valentine Sports Park.
From the opening whistle, it was all IFS – the Football School broke quickly and confidently against the Crusaders and four minutes in, Sarah Piriz went close but angled it wide.
IFS had their goalkeeper to thank for perserving their lead, as Samantha Fulwood was courageous in denying a rampaging Kaitlin Harms when she was one-on-one.
The Football School found the back of the net either side of half-time to put the contest to bed. In the tenth minute, Ericia Di Sciascio broke quickly and slotted home then just after the break, Emily Diaz rocketed a free-kick home for 2-nil.
Diaz could’ve had a double as once again IFS countered quickly, which put the forward into space but a brave save from Jessica Edwards kept the scoreline to two.
Her brave save spurred on the Crusaders, as they piled on three quick attempts at goal with Bianca Galayani’s near post fizzler the closest to finding the net. Late on, the Crusaders would get some consolation when Angela Gardner tapped home at the back post.
MATCH STATS
Referees: Steve Dalmazio, Dimitrios Gongolidis and Chris Plowright
International Football School Futsal Club 2 (Di Sciascio ’10 and Diaz ’66)
West City Crusaders FC 1 (A. Gardner ’39)
International Football School FS: 5 Tajsha Birrell 49 Nina Collins 66 Emily Diaz 8 Erica Di Sciascio 7 Tamar Felsch 13 Samantha Fulwood 45 Jessica Garrett 15 Ruby Kesteven 12 Teal Kilbride 14 Sara Piriz 50 Roxana Swanson Manuel COACH: Andrew Peachey
West City Crusaders FC: 31 Jessica Edwards 19 Bianca Galayini 24 Emily Gibson 20 Kaitlin Harms 18 Georgia King 11 Vesna Milivojevic 25 Angela Vourlis 17 Angela Gardner 22 Cassandra Wheeler 23 Hollie Wilson 5 Paige Wilson COACH: Raymond Miller MANAGER: Warren Ladd
Open Men
SD Raiders concluded a fantastic Futsal State League Grand Finals day with a dramatic 3-2 victory over West City Crusaders in a pulsating contest.
Both teams set a frantic pace from the opening shrill of the whistle, as the ball zoomed down either end as the combatants tried to settle into their structure. SD Raiders fired the first effort as Sebastian Malfara turned well before he angled wide.
Next it was Crusaders David McMurray that sprinted into open court as Raiders keeper Adrian Iorfino denied him with a close range block, as the rebound was swiped wide by James Mawein.
Some experience was needed to break the deadlock, enter former Socceroo and Sydney FC star, Nicky Carle. When he subbed on, SD Raiders kept the ball patiently, and from a kick-in, the veteran found Matthew Barkho for a sublime back-heel. 1-nil.
The ball continued to ping-pong down the court, as McMurray tested Iorfino again as the keeper came up trumps then quickly, John Fahmi dinked one onto the bar for the Raiders.
Five minutes before the break, West City Crusaders found their equaliser. Mawein put himself in a poacher’s position again, thrashed the ball home for 1-1. Neither team could add their advantage from the spot in a physical half as everyone caught their breath.
Once again Barkho showed his class with his second goal of the evening – the forward rolled a defender well before he cheekily chipped it well into the net for 2-1. Next, he combined with Fahmi for him to give Raiders a two-goal cushion.
The post was Raiders best player late in the piece, as it denied both Mawein and Peter Malecki for the Crusaders in close succession as the Open Mens title slipped out of their grasp. They did find a late way back into the contest when Simon Zahra converted from the spot for 3-2.
SD Raiders showed their guile and experience, as they held on under intense scrutiny late on to pull the curtain down on a fascinating and exciting day of Futsal action.
MATCH STATS
Referees: Babak Mohajerin, Hang Lee and Taha Marabani
West City Crusaders FC 2 (Mawein ’20 and Zahra ’42)
SD Raiders 3 (Barkho ’16 and ’27 and Fahmi ’29)
West City Crusaders FC: 10 Thomas Kasunic 9 Benjamin Lam 4 Peter Malecki 2 Arsallan Mangal 14 Carlo Manna 22 Brodie O’Neil 3 James Mawein 11 David McMurray 12 Cameron Haywood 5 Raymond Miller 1 Daniel Schwarzer 8 Simon Zahra COACH: Benjamin Lam MANAGER: Warren Ladd
SD Raiders FC: 1 Adrian Iorfino 4 Diego Molina 8 Adrian Monge 9 Mathew Barkho 10 John Fahmi 15 Sebastian Malfara 19 Nicholas Carle 23 Jordan Figon 51 Matthew Massarotto 91 Joshua Ortiz COACH: Sergio Malfara ASST. COACH: Nicholas Carle ASST. COACH: Adrian Iorfino MANAGER: Warren Gaffney
By Justin Davies
