Round 11 and 12 Preview – Futsal Premier League 2 Open Mens

It is the most wonderful time of the year! No not the holiday season, it is a smorgasbord of Futsal Premier League 2 Open Mens contests. Eight games to devour across Saturday and Sunday will help to decide the fate of the teams fighting for the finals spots.

Round 11 Match of the Round: SD Raiders Futsal vs Phoenix Futsal Club, 4:20pm, Fairfield Youth & Leisure Centre

High flying SD Raiders Futsal look to kick-off their double-header weekend on a positive note against Phoenix Futsal Club in the first Match of the Round Saturday at Fairfield Youth & Leisure Centre.

The hosts are riding a four-game win streak after their 6-2 result against West City Crusaders last weekend that has them almost locked into second spot. Phoenix Futsal Club were gutsy but had to share a 3-3 draw with South Coast Taipans.

SD Raiders Futsal have a compact squad but their recent red-hot form has come off the consistent scoring they have found through Matthew Barkho and Jordan Figon. If SD Raiders can pick up maximum points this weekend it will take them a long way to defending their Championship.

Frustration has been a consistent theme for Phoenix Futsal Club this season. Coach Elliot Jurd remarked that his side can’t “buy a win this season” and the task doesn’t get easier traveling to Fairfield. The visitors will lean on Angus Chance to try and fish out a win.

Dural Warriors vs Raiders Futsal Club, Saturday 30 November, 4:50pm, The Centre – Dural

Headed into a busy weekend Dural Warriors aim to keep their unbeaten run alive against Raiders Futsal Club on Saturday afternoon at The Centre – Dural.

The Warriors have the unbeaten season on their mind after their comfortable 7-2 result against Sydney Futsal Club in last weekend’s Match of the Round. Raiders Futsal Club were swept aside by Sydney City Eagles 8-3 in their game in Round 10.

Four games stand between Dural and the undefeated regular season. At points last weekend, the Warriors looked at their fluid best with Sam De Oliveira and Golden Boot leader Wade Giovenali at the fulcrum. If they repeat that over the next month, they will have their wish.

Raiders Futsal Club sit closer to the edge, still in fourth but with South Coast Taipans breathing down their neck for the last finals spot. There is the firepower in Adolph Koudakpo and Jovan Miladinovic to possibly send shockwaves through the competition on Saturday.

Sydney City Eagles vs West City Crusaders, Saturday 30 November, 5:30pm, Michael Clarke Recreation Centre

The Eagles start their back-to-back homestand with their Saturday evening clash against West City Crusaders down at Michael Clarke Recreation Centre.

It has already been a busy week for Sydney City Eagles with their golden goal Futsal Cup defeat Tuesday night which came after their 8-3 success on Saturday against Raiders Futsal Club. West City Crusaders were defeated 6-2 by the surging SD Raiders Futsal Club.

Patrick Antelmi has made an instant impact for Sydney City Eagles with a hat-trick against Raiders Futsal and the attacker has added an extra element to their already potent attack. Alongside him, Peter Pelekanos is in form and they could consolidate their spot this weekend.

Crusaders need this to be a six-point weekend to remain in the hunt. The West City side have the personnel led by Simon Zahra to push through and upset the applecart. Their run last year started with an away victory against this opposition – can lightning strike twice?

South Coast Taipans vs Sydney Futsal Club, Saturday 30 November, 5:40pm, UOW Sports Hub

South Coast Taipans try to keep their finals hopes alive as they host Sydney Futsal Club at UOW Sports Hub on Saturday evening.

Both sides come into the contest off downbeat results. South Coast Taipans were held to a 3-3 draw against the lowly Phoenix Futsal Club whilst Sydney Futsal Club suffered a first half onslaught in a 7-2 loss to unbeaten Dural Warriors.

The Taipans might eye this weekend as their chance to break back into the top four. Back-to-back games at home can be that springboard. Klime Sekutkoski remains the biggest threat for them and alongside John Boutros gives them the sting to power forward.

For Sydney Futsal Club, they showed in the second half last week their best futsal can work against any opposition. Alexander Euripdou and Nathan Spinola can strike from anywhere on the court and could upset the Taipans if they aren’t switched on.

Round 12 Match of the Round: Sydney City Eagles vs Phoenix Futsal Club, 6:30pm, Michael Clarke Recreation Centre

In the second game of their homestand, Sydney City Eagles welcome Phoenix Futsal Club to Michael Clarke Recreation Centre on Sunday night for a priceless three points.

The Eagles edged a thriller the last time these two played. Two goals in the final stages of the contest started the run which has them sat in the top four. Phoenix Futsal Club have struggled since to chain together results to challenge this season which will disappoint them.

Sunday’s Match of the Round will showcase two of the Futsal Premier League 2’s best custodians. The evergreen Zlatko Joseski who has helped the Eagles resurgence and James Brunacci for Phoenix Futsal Club have made some terrific saves this season and will need to be on top form again.

South Coast Taipans vs SD Raiders Futsal, Sunday 1 December, 4:50pm, UOW Sports Hub

South Coast Taipans look to confirm their top four hopes with a contest against second placed SD Raiders Futsal taking place down at UOW Sports Hub Sunday afternoon.

Last weekend was hopefully the “kickstart to their finals campaign” for Bobby Mazevski and the Taipans side. They will remember how they threw away the away contest against SD Raiders Futsal and will have to put in a full 50-minute effort to make this a fruitful weekend.

For SD Raiders Futsal, it is about getting themselves prepared for the finals series. Sergio Malfara’s side should be playing in the post-season, so it is about tweaking their already potent attack to show that the south-west side will be a heavyweight contender.

Sydney Futsal Club vs Raiders Futsal Club, Sunday 1 December, 6:30pm, National Centre of Indigenous Excellence

Back at home on Sunday night, Sydney Futsal Club take on finals chasers Raiders Futsal Club in an interesting clash to play out at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence.

Sydney Futsal Club might be out of contention for the post-season but they can play spoiler for sides trying to claw their way there including Raiders Futsal Club. Patrick Pace has contributed well to the Sydney attack and alongside Nathan Spinola is perfect for the spoiler role.

The last contest against Sydney saw Raiders Futsal Club produce their best performance of the Futsal Premier League 2 season. They plundered nine past the seventh-place side and a repeat on Sunday will go a long way to putting them in the frame for the finals.

West City Crusaders vs Dural Warriors, Sunday 1 December, 4:50pm, Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium

West City Crusaders finish the double header weekend at home, against competition leaders Dural Warriors at Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium on Sunday evening.

Relegation lit a fire under Dural Warriors who have swept all before them thus far in the Futsal Premier League 2 and have four games left to try and go undefeated. Experienced coach Rob Varela will have his side primed to remain focused and complete the task against a tough Crusaders side.

Back on their home court, Crusaders will want to put on a better display than their last outing against Dural where they were defeated 6-1 at The Centre – Dural. Last year’s Grand Finalists need their stars to fire to cause the upset on Sunday afternoon.

By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)