SELECT Futsal Premier League 2 – Round 14 Open Men’s Preview

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It’s the final week of the season, and we still have fourth place to decided.

It is our final full round of exciting futsal action, as West City Crusaders, Raiders FC and South Coast Taipans battle for that spot whilst the rest aim to finish on a high or get momentum headed into the upcoming finals.

Match of the Round: SD Raiders vs Phoenix Futsal Club, Saturday 22 December, 5:10pm, Fairfield Youth & Leisure Centre

We have a finals preview brewing in the opening contest of the weekend as second takes on third, with the opportunity to finish second on the line, at Fairfield Youth & Leisure Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Phoenix Futsal Club warmed up for the clash with a second half onslaught that saw them emerge 5-nil as the latest side to come back from Canberra with maximum points. SD Raiders were downed 5-3 against the streaking Taipans which saw them give up second position.

Jordan Smylie’s return has added another bow to the already outstanding Phoenix FC attack, with Josh Mathie in prime form himself. Coach Elliot Jurd has a majority of his side available as well, so the visitors look to strike a blow before the finals against SD Raiders FC.

In the last month, SD Raiders FC has had more draws than an IKEA catalogue, so with the finals looming they want to head into the business end of the season with some momentum. Through the Antelmi brothers, Matthew Barkho, Josh Da Silva and John Fahmi, they have enough goals to challenge anyone and make for an exciting spectacle on Saturday.

West City Crusaders vs Boomerangs FS, Saturday 22 December, 5:50pm, Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium

West City Crusaders are in the box seat headed into the final weekend, they have a home clash against a downbeat Boomerangs FS,

The Crusaders sit fourth, after their 9-4 thrashing of competition heavyweights, Sydney City Eagles in last week’s Match of the Round whilst Boomerangs FS dropped out of the chase as they fell 5-nil to Phoenix FC down in the capital.

In the last fortnight, Crusaders found their scoring boots. 12 goals is an impressive return the last fortnight and the form of Gregory Kondek, Ryan Faulkner and Benjamin Lam, is vital to them getting three points. If they do so, that will put them into the top four regardless, of any other result.

The second half of the season has been wretched for Boomerangs FS. They haven’t tasted victory in over a month, so they are relegated to the role of spoiler in the final weekend. Finishing has been their issue all year, so this is their last chance to right that ship, and take the spoils.

South Coast Taipans vs Sydney Futsal Club, Saturday 22 December, 5:40pm, UOW Sports Hub

It needs to go perfectly for them to make the semi-finals, but South Coast Taipans look for five-straight victories as they host Sydney Futsal Club, at UOW Sports Hub on Saturday.

Like a fine racehorse, the Taipans timed their run almost perfectly, their 5-3 success against SD Raiders was their fourth straight, but they will need both their adversaries to lose to spring into the top four at the last possible moment.

Central to their chances is Matthew Mazevski. The attacker has scored goals for fun this season, 17 in total, which has him close to a record for a single season for the Taipans. If he clicks alongside Mitchell Ferraro, there could a sting in the tail of this season for the team from the south coast.

Sydney Futsal Club has ridden the SELECT Futsal Premier League 2 rollercoaster all season, now we’re onto the final loop, can they provide a final shock of the season, possibly register their third win of the season especially after their first half display against Raiders FC, which saw them go in at 2-2.

Raiders Futsal Club vs Sydney City Eagles, Saturday 22 December, 5:50pm, Thomas Hassell Anglican College

Raiders FC probably have the toughest opponent of the three finals aspirants, taking on locked in first place Sydney City Eagles, at Thomas Hassell Anglican College, on Saturday night.

A second half blitz where they put away a tough Sydney Futsal Club, 6-3 has Raiders FC within range of the finals, although they will need results to go their way for it to happen. They can’t take their eyes off their opponents, a wounded Sydney City Eagles, after their 9-4 loss to Crusaders.

The Eagles will be shorthanded again this week. Sam Perre is suspended which depletes their stocks further but the trio of Matthew Trotter, Judah Cleur and Aaron Cimitile alongside ‘keeper John Dimitrakas with a point to prove may make it heavy weather for Raiders FC on Saturday night.

For Raiders FC, it has to be a complete performance. At times this year, they have clocked off for small portions of games which might of cost them points to already secure their top four hopes. Hassan Jalloh has the pace and skill to break open a contest and against a scorned opponent, he might prove the key to taking Raiders to the promise land.

-By Justin Davies