Round 13 Review – Futsal Premier League Open Men’s
Men’s Futsal Premier League round-13 Saturday saw Mascot Vipers beat Campbelltown Quake 7-4, Boomerangs FS shocked Mountain Majik 3-1, Inner West Magic overrun UTS Northside 4-2, and it was a 2-2 draw between Enfield Allstars and Eastern Suburbs Hakoah.
The results mean Mascot (28 points) need only a draw versus Boomerangs next weekend to claim the premiership over Inner West (25), but the remaining playoff positions Remain undetermined with Northside (23), Easts (21) and Mountain (20) and Enfield (19) all still in the mix ahead of a frantic final weekend of action.
And it’s hats off to all the players, officials and supporters of Inner West, who wrapped up the club championship with a week to spare.
If you count the first two NSW Futsal League competitions (pre-runners to premier league), it’s the 12th time the club has stamped their authority over everyone else in 15 seasons – they won the first four championships as Sydney Magic and then the next one as Inner West before Sydney City Eagles claimed the 2010/11 title (the only time Inner West didn’t finish top-two).
Inner West Magic chalked up the next four accolades, Mascot won in 2015/16, Magic the next year, Mountain Majik in 2017/18 and Inner West the last two times running.
It’s a magnificent achievement and deserved congratulations to everyone at the club.
Campbelltown Quake 4 () Mascot Vipers 7 ()
Boomerangs FS 3 (Elie Darwich, Michael Rinaudo, Ryan Quamby) Mountain Majik 1 (Daniel Muzzarelli)
Inner West Magic 4 (Anthony Haddad, Hassan Jalloh 2, Daniel Fogarty) UTS Northside 2 (Bryce Harry, Nick Rainbird)
Enfield Allstars 2 () Eastern Suburbs Hakoah 2 ()
Mascot hold off Campbelltown
A five-minute goal-blitz helped Mascot Vipers get the better of Campbelltown Quake at Minto Sports Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Wooden-spooners Campbelltown were well in it trailing 1-3 at the break, but in the blink of an eye it was 7-1 as Mascot motored ahead to consign Quake’s final three goals to consolations.
Still, Campbelltown were again terrific value, especially with captain-coach Mark Symington still injured on the sidelines. He singled out debutant Thomas Lopez for his exceptional performance against the odds.
It’s been a tough year for Quake but a winless season is countered by the fact that 11 of their defeats have been by three goals or less – they’ve been in every contest without any reward for their efforts.
For Mascot though the win sets them up for a maiden premiership after toiling 13 years in premier league – they only need a point against Boomerangs next weekend to become just the sixth club to finish first past the post.
Vipers’ win at Minto also sees them become just the third club in PL history to go through a regular season unbeaten on the road, after Dural (2015/16 and 2012/13) and Inner West (2014/15).
Boomerangs upset Mountain
Boomerangs FS pulled off a giant upset by defeating Mountain Majik 3-1 at Q-One Indoor Sports Queanbeyan on Saturday evening match-up with Boomerangs FS.
The result makes it two wins apiece and two pulsating draws between the clubs, but more poignantly it’s made Mountain’s playoff progress more treacherous.
Majik will only jump into the finals if they dispose of Enfield Allstars in next weekend’s final round plus Magic beat fourth-placed Hakoah.
A Mountaineers draw or loss will see them miss out altogether.
Inner West overcome Northside
Inner West Magic had to dig deep to stave off a spirited UTS Northside 4-2 at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday evening.
Northside only had three seniors available due to a wedding commitment but their young brigade were inspirational as Bryce Harry and upgraded Nick Rainbird goals lifted them to a 2-0 lead just past the quarter-hour mark.
There was pretty of bravado in their defence too as they held off a rampant Inner West for more than half-an-hour before Magic finally stamped their authority on the match, scoring four goals inside nine minutes to overtake UTS for a 4-2 win.
Hassan Jalloh scored twice to go with Anthony Haddad and Daniel Fogarty goals.
Victory moved Inner West into second place behind Mascot, but only a Vipers loss to Boomerangs next weekend would open the door wide enough for them to steal a belated premiership.
Magic men play their 200th premier league match versus Easts next weekend – the most top-flight games of any club, followed by Campbelltown (187), Mascot (184), Dural (159), Enfield (150), Mountain (98), Sydney City Eagles (93) and Northside (83).
UTS official Danny Beauchamp had nothing but praise for the youngsters that stepped up magnificently against Inner West.
“It was an unreal performance by the lads!” he said. “It was a majorly depleted side with a wedding giving us only three men’s players and seven youth players, but the team battled courageously.”
“We were in a great position [at 2-0 up] but just didn’t have the legs in the second half to maintain it.”
“Credit to Nick Rainbird with a goal on his debut and a great showing from Emilio Manos.
“We’re hoping to confirm our semi-final status next week.”
Northside would have to lose badly to Campbelltown to allow fifth-placed Mountain to overtake them.
Enfield, Easts deadlock
Enfield Allstars and Eastern Suburbs Hakoah fought out a gripping 2-2 draw at Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday night, leaving both sides teetering on the top-four edge.
For Enfield the equation is clear-cut: two points behind fourth-placed Hakoah and a point behind next weekend’s opponents Majik, Allstars must beat the Mountaineers and trust leaders Inner West beat Easts.
For Hakoah it’s a little messier: they will seal fourth spot (and maybe even third) if they surprise Magic next weekend as a draw allows Allstars the chance to pass them on goal-difference, while an Easts defeat also gives Majik the opportunity to steal their playoff place.
Next games
2019/20 Men’s Futsal Premier League round-14 Saturday action features Mountain Majik take on Enfield Allstars at Blacktown Leisure Centre (3.20pm), UTS Northside tackle Campbelltown Quake at PCYC Dee Why (5.50pm), Eastern Suburbs Hakoah play Inner West Magic at All Sorts Indoor Sports Centre (6.30pm), and Mascot Vipers face Boomerangs FS at Morris Iemma Indoor Sports Centre (7.50pm).