SELECT Futsal Premier League 2 – Round 6 Open Men’s Preview
We move into another action-packed weekend of futsal, as the top three have started to break away from the pack, and now, the other five sides try to make up their ground, as we move into the halfway point of the season.
Match of the Round: Raiders Futsal Club vs Sydney Futsal Club, Saturday 3 November, 6:40pm, Thomas Hassell Anglican College
This week’s Match of the Round sees the high-flying Raiders Futsal Club head back to their home, Thomas Hassell Anglican College, as they host seventh placed, Sydney Futsal Club.
Raiders Futsal continue their win-loss pattern for the season, as they triumphed 5-4 in wonderful exhibition of futsal against South Coast Taipans, whilst Sydney Futsal Club remain rooted to the near bottom, after lost to Crusaders.
Sydney will be missing a key jenga piece to their attack, as Anthony Musumeci fired home a brace but also received a red card in their loss. Whilst they found some goals from Patrick Pace and others, they’ll need a stern defence like their last appearance in the MOTR, against a revived Raiders Futsal.
Sitting in fourth, Raiders Futsal have the last final spot currently, but they need to stack victories, especially against the lower half of the table, if they want to cement their spot. Central to that will be taking their chances, and if Anthony Tomelic can find his shooting boots again, could be back-to-back successes for the home side.
SD Raiders vs South Coast Taipans, Saturday 3 November, 4:20pm, Fairfield Youth & Leisure Centre
SD Raiders aim to keep their momentum building, as they host winless South Coast Taipans in the afternoon fixture of Round 6, at Fairfield Youth & Leisure Centre.
The Raiders made it two on the trot, as they underlined their clinical nature in a 3-2 success against Boomerangs FS, whilst a nine-goal thriller wasn’t enough for South Coast Taipans, they fell 5-4 to remain on the duck egg.
South Coast have picked up their scoring in recent weeks, whilst the wins haven’t materialised yet they have scored nine of their last three contests. Ricky Goodchild has scored both his starts and alongside Matthew Mazevski gives them something to possibly worry SD Raiders.
Through all five of their games, SD Raiders has thrown themselves into it full throttle, with their courageous defence and clinical finishers up top, including Matias Da Silva and the brothers Antelmi make them a worthy title challenger.
Phoenix Futsal Club vs Boomerangs FS, Saturday 3 November, 6:50pm, PCYC Hornsby
Two sides chasing finals hopes, clash Saturday evening at PCYC Hornsby, as third placed Phoenix Futsal Club host sixth placed Boomerangs FS.
Finishing has been the Achilles heel of the Boomerangs FS season thus far, they create enough chances but can’t find the net. Coach Kristian Collins has remained upbeat, and affirms that they aren’t far off so if things click for them Saturday it could be dangerous for the Phoenix.
For the ‘nix, much like the visitors they were wasteful in finishing as their undefeated streak came to a screeching halt. One plus was the form of Angus Chance and Jordan Smylie, both with braces in the loss that pleased their coach, as they know on their day can blast sides away.
So it makes for an intriguing contest on Saturday evening, for two sides that want to match up to their potential this season.
West City Crusaders vs Sydney City Eagles, Saturday 3 November, 7:20pm, Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium
Fresh from their first win of the season, West City Crusaders welcome the undefeated Sydney City Eagles to round off the weekend with an exciting clash at Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium.
It is a tall order for the Crusaders, although they knocked over Sydney Futsal Club 5-4, taking on Sydney City Eagles, on a five-game win streak, after dismantling Phoenix Futsal Club, 7-4 in last week’s Match of the Round.
Much of the praise for the Eagles, and their unbeaten start has centered around their attack but a key cog is the “brick wall” as nicknamed by coach Roy Perre, goalkeeper John Dimitrakas. He made a string of impressive saves against Phoenix, and if he can once again deny the Crusaders defense, it allows their attack to flourish.
Crusaders have competed in all their games thus far, and with their haul of six points in recent weeks, fueled by goalscoring of Greg Kondek and James Mawein, means that the Eagles can’t take them lightly, as they are the next to break the streak.
-By Justin Davies
