Round 3 Preview – Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s
Round 3 brings more action in the Futsal Premier League 2. We have a Grand Final rematch to headline the proceedings with intriguing clashes for Dural Warriors, South Coast Taipans and Sydney City Eagles as the eight clubs all jostle for early position in the table.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders Futsal vs West City Crusaders, Saturday 5 October, 4:20pm, Fairfield Youth and Leisure Centre
The Match of the Round heads to Fairfield Youth & Leisure Centre for the first time this season as West City Crusaders try to crash SD Raiders Futsal home opener Saturday afternoon.
It is a battle between two ends of the tables – West City Crusaders remain undefeated after their tense 5-4 success against Sydney Futsal Club at home while SD Raiders Futsal sit at the bottom after their 5-4 Raiders Cup loss – so this weekend shapes up as a vital clash for both.
Saturday night doubles as a Grand Final rematch between the two sides as well. SD Raiders Futsal took the spoils 4-3 in a wild encounter. Crusaders will be out to firstly avenge that defeat but also keep touch with table-toppers Dural Warriors.
For SD Raiders Futsal, a slow start isn’t fatal but can be damaging. A big game like this rematch will spur the side after the emotion of losing the Raiders Cup for the first time, last weekend. Added to that the goalscoring talent in the squad makes for a fun game on Saturday afternoon.
Dural Warriors vs Sydney Futsal Club, Saturday 5 October, 4:50pm, The Centre – Dural
Top of the tree Dural Warriors look to maintain their great start to the new season with their first home game against Sydney Futsal Club on Saturday afternoon at The Centre!
The Warriors withstood a first half storm to run out 7-3 winners against a game Phoenix Futsal Club side while Sydney Futsal Club battled hard but fell to a 5-4 defeat against West City Crusaders as they remain searching for a win.
Having a target on your back can be tough but Dural Warriors have a talented squad to withstand as their coach Rob Varela quipped play in a Grand Final each week. Helping them is their five stars selected in the Futsalroos squad led by brothers Greg and Wade Giovenali.
Saying all that it seems a huge task for Sydney Futsal Club but the side have shown they won’t be pushed over in either of their games thus far this season. Patrick Pace had a hat-trick last weekend and alongside Nathan Spinola can hit the scoreboard for the visitors.
South Coast Taipans vs Phoenix Futsal Club, Saturday 5 October, 4:50pm, UOW Sports Hub
It is a hat-trick of home games for South Coast Taipans. The third game of their home stand is against the dogged Phoenix Futsal Club at UOW Sports Hub.
The Taipans found their sting in a comfortable 6-3 result against last season’s Premiers Sydney City Eagles after a tough opening week. For Phoenix Futsal Club, they flew out of the blocks but fell 7-3 to Dural Warriors in last week’s Match of the Round.
Klime Sekutkoski has fitted in smoothly at the Taipans with three goals in his two appearances thus far alongside a variety of attacking options has them set up well for the season. After this weekend, they are on the road for a fortnight and want to set up well with a win.
Phoenix Futsal Club might sit with a single point after the first two rounds but there is plenty to enjoy about their side. For points last weekend, Angus Chance had a running battle with the Dural keeper and youngster Yusuf Abdul-Galil ripping strike means there is goals in this contest.
Sydney City Eagles vs Raiders Futsal Club, Saturday 5 October, 5:30pm, Michael Clarke Recreation Centre
Round 3 finishes off with Sydney City Eagles hosting Raiders Futsal Club in their second home contest at Michael Clarke Recreation Centre on Saturday evening.
Both sides come into the contest on different form lines. Sydney City Eagles suffered their first loss of the season in a 6-3 loss to South Coast Taipans while Raiders Futsal Club picked up the Raiders Cup after being on the right side of a 6-3 score line.
The loss won’t affect the Eagles self-belief. Last year’s Premiers are chock full of talent and have had hat-trick scorers in both their games thus far (Lachlan Rose and Matthew Trotter) so they will find the back of the net – it is about stopping the other end of the court to get back to winning ways.
Success in the Raiders Cup will light the fire for Raiders Futsal Club’s season. Alongside that is the form of Adolph Koudakpo – six goals in two games – is a wonderful return. If the visitors want to play finals football, they’ll need to string results together starting against the Premiers.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
