SELECT Futsal Premier League 2 – Round 14 Open Women’s Preview
It’s the final countdown! Although everything has been settled regarding the regular season, there is still plenty of pride and passion in the four contests to play out across the SELECT Futsal Premier League 2 this weekend.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders vs Phoenix Futsal Club, Saturday 22 December, 4:10pm, Fairfield Youth & Leisure Centre
SD Raiders FC aim to finish the season on a high, taking on finals-bound Phoenix Futsal Club in the Saturday afternoon fixture at Fairfield Youth & Leisure Centre.
For much of the season, these two were dueling for the top four but after their 3-2 loss to Taipans, SD Raiders FC were knocked out of the fight for the top four. Phoenix are safely in third, despite their 7-1 loss at the hands of Boomerangs FS.
There is a bright spot for SD Raiders FC, young star Vesna Milivojevic, has been a revelation this season with her 21 goals and has a chance to finish as the golden boot. She sits one behind Cassidy Chidgey, so if she can get a haul at home, it is possible.
Phoenix Futsal Club have been comfortably in third for the season, being the best of the rest as the top two have streaked away. Much of that is down to the work of Hannah Mcnulty and Isabel Gomez, if they are to cause a shock in the finals they need those two firing.
West City Crusaders vs Boomerangs FS, Saturday 22 December, 4:50pm, Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium
Runaway leaders Boomerangs FS finish their campaign with one final trip, headed to Windsor to face seventh placed West City Crusaders at Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium.
It is two contrasting fortunes coming into the final contest; Boomerangs FS completed their eleventh win of the season, 7-1 against the third placed Phoenix FC side whilst Crusaders took an early lead but faltered 2-1 to Sydney City Eagles.
Boomerangs FS has been different class this season, bar the Round 2 defeat to Taipans, the capital side has destroyed the competition with their closest contests coming against rivals Raiders FC and the aforementioned Taipans.
A feature of this dominance in their sharing of the scoring load with four players tied for most goals with eight including Ellen Brown and Grace Basser-Silk. So it will be a tough ask for a Crusaders side on their last hurrah.
Crusaders might only have three victories to their name in the season, but they have battled hard this season. Dione King and Kaitlin Harms have led the way for the side, if they can remain stout in defense, they can avoid a repeat of the 9-1 thrashing they suffered down in Canberra six weeks ago.
South Coast Taipans vs Sydney Futsal Club, Saturday 22 December, 4:40pm, UOW Sports Hub
South Coast Taipans warm up for their finals campaign with a fixture against wooden spooners Sydney Futsal Club, down at UOW Sports Hub on Saturday afternoon.
The Taipans took out the battle for fourth place, producing a stirring second half comeback against SD Raiders FC, 3-1, whilst Sydney Futsal Club are ready for the end of season after their 7-1 thrashing against Raiders FC.
It has been a rocky finish to the season for the Taipans, they have gone 2-3 in the last five contests but can take heart in the effort shown to get themselves across the line. With the talent of their top-scorer, Danielle Wise and the recent contributions from Elise Battin, Danika Matos and Cayla Constable, it is set up for a fine tune up to the semi-finals.
Raiders Futsal Club vs Sydney City Eagles, Saturday 22 December, 4:50pm, Thomas Hassell Anglican College
Rampant Raiders FC finish up their regular season campaign with a local contest against Sydney City Eagles on Saturday afternoon at Thomas Hassell Anglican College.
Both teams come into the contest off recent success; Raiders FC thrashed Sydney FC 7-1 to continue their rich vein of form whilst Sydney City got a 2-1 victory against West City Crusaders during the deluge last weekend.
The home side has had a confident end to the season, since the 3-3 draw with Phoenix FC, Raiders FC scored 23 goals in the next four victories to remain one of the competitions top scorers. The link-up play between Hannah Voloder and Cassidy Chidgey is one of the more dangerous combos, in a side that has taken their game to another level this season. Also, Chidgey with a one final haul can confirm her golden boot status.
Sydney City Eagles will look to end their season on a high. In patches, the Eagles have shown quality futsal but injuries, suspensions and losses has cruelled their season. Jess Beale is definitely the side’s compass, as when she came on last weekend, they turned around the deficit against Crusaders and with Tameeka Thomson, they could stun a Raiders side with one eye possibly on the finals.
-By Justin Davies
