SELECT Futsal Premier League 2 – Round 7 Open Men’s Preview
At the halfway marker, the SELECT Futsal Premier League 2 competition remains wide open, as undefeated Sydney City hasn’t shaken off the chasing pack.
With another exciting weekend of action to get underway on Saturday, all four games have something on the line.
Sydney City Eagles vs Raiders Futsal Club, Saturday 10 November, 5:20pm, Michael Clarke Recreation Centre
There is a barnstormer of a contest to kick off Round Seven, as undefeated Sydney City Eagles host a Raiders Futsal club outfit off back-to-back victories Saturday afternoon at Michael Clarke Recreation Centre.
The contest is set up well, as both sides were last start winners. Sydney City Eagles made it six straight with their 6-1 pummeling of West City Crusaders, while Raiders Futsal left it late to defeat Sydney Futsal Club 3-2.
After their slow start to the season, Raiders Futsal seem to have found their groove. Back-to-back successes has Goran Ljuboja’s side pumped up. The form of Anthony Tomelic with his brace will guide the side as they try to break the streak.
Sydney City continue to purr, 35 goals blasted in thus far this season, Matthew Trotter leads the way with nine strikes and his combination with the experienced members of the squad has helped them to the summit as they look to make it seventh heaven on the weekend.
Boomerangs FS vs West City Crusaders, Saturday 10 November, 6:20pm, AIS Training Halls
Two sides aiming to get back on the right foot, West City Crusaders head to the nation’s capital to take on a Boomerangs side, sitting in sixth Saturday night at AIS Training Halls.
Three defeats on the trot, has them on the outside looking in after their close loss to Phoenix Futsal, 2-1, whilst West City ran into a buzz saw called Sydney City, losing 6-1 on their own turf as they sit in fifth position.
Finalisation continues to be a problem for Boomerangs FS. They had plenty of chances, and coach, Kristian Collins has warned if they can find the net consistently, they will blow a team away. The question remains if they can do so, and possibly, jump above Crusaders this weekend.
In a wild encounter, Crusaders suffered their first loss in three weeks, and will be without James Mawein this weekend. They have enough experience in Simon Zahra, Brendan Lam and Ryan Faulker to push the ‘rangs all the way in a tight contest in Canberra.
Sydney Futsal Club vs South Coast Taipans, Saturday 10 November, 7:30pm, National Centre of Indigenous Excellence
Fresh from their breakthrough win, South Coast Taipans head on the road, against a Sydney Futsal Club side searching for consistency Saturday night at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence.
South Coast were good value for their three points, leading thrice in their 3-2 success against SD Raiders whilst Sydney Futsal Club, showed tremendous spirit, in a 3-2 loss to Raiders Futsal Club in last weekend’s Match of the Round.
While they sit bottom currently, Sydney took the lead against a strong Raiders Futsal side, led by Daniel Padoani and Nathan Spinola, showed they will in their coaches’ words “will trouble teams once we put it together” and if they do so, against Taipans, could be fireworks in Redfern.
For the visitors, they have a spring in their step from their maiden success. Matthew Mazevski continues to lead the way, Kyle Del has been a consistent force, and if they put together a similar performance to last week could double their point tally.
Phoenix Futsal Club vs SD Raiders, Saturday 10 November, 7:40pm, PCYC Hornsby
Finishing off our weekend of action, Phoenix Futsal Club look to consolidate second spot, as they take on third placed SD Raiders at PCYC Hornsby.
There is contrasting fortune headed into the weekend, Phoenix Futsal had their fifth result by a single goal margin, when they defeated Boomerangs FS, 2-1 meanwhile the visitors, fell to a shock defeat against South Coast Taipans, 3-2.
Angus Chance has roared into form for the ‘nix, setting up one and scored his fourth of the season, last year’s golden boot alongside Jordan Smylie and Joshua Mathie make for a powerful trio for the SD Raiders to combat, as both sides look to clip the Eagles wings.
SD Raiders have been prolific scorers themselves, 27 thus far, Nick Carle was the man for the moment, with a brace last weekend, aided by a plethora of options which includes their top scorer, Bruno Antelmi sets us up for a huge contest to round off the weekend.
-By Justin Davies
