Semi Finals Preview – Futsal Premier League 2 Open Women’s
The Futsal Premier League 2 Open Womens competition moves into the post-season with two mouth-watering clashes to play out on Saturday afternoon.
All four sides will be hungry to move a step closer to Grand Final glory after successful regular seasons.
Semi-Final #1: Dural Warriors vs Raiders Futsal Club, Saturday 21 December, 4:30pm, The Centre – Dural Court 1
Unbeaten Premiers Dural Warriors look to keep the good times rolling as they take Raiders Futsal Club in the first semi-final Saturday afternoon.
Dural Warriors went through the whole campaign undefeated despite starting off with a goalless draw against South Coast Taipans. The Warriors were resolute at the back only conceding 4 goals all season while piling in 87 themselves as they aim to add the Championship to the Premiership trophy.
Forged in fire, Raiders Futsal Club left it until the final round to stamp their entry to the finals series with a comfortable result against Phoenix Futsal Club. Raiders Futsal Club took time to get going but are ready to go one better after Grand Final defeat last season.
Regular Season Results:
Round 4: Raiders Futsal Club 0 defeated by Dural Warriors 5
Round 11: Dural Warriors 4 defeated Raiders Futsal Club 1
After their relegation last season, Dural Warriors Open Womens side went on a three cheers for sweet revenge tour and put together some breathless performances. Plenty has been written about Golden Boot Rachel Perrins – the off-season recruit fired in 29 goals this season but alongside the sharpshooter Abbey Lemon, Ellen Wheatley and Emma Hurley help to make up the Warriors fearsome attack.
Raiders Futsal Club showed in their Futsal Cup final performance that they can blunt the attacking prowess of sides. Custodian Mariella Hurtado might have to produce a remake of her clutch saves that denied Inner West Magic to push them through.
Further up the court, Raiders Futsal Club rely on Amanda Radmillo, Vanessa Ciabatti and Mia Conners for much of their strike force. Coach Bernard Voloder hopes his side will bring the same level of energy as they did mid-week which left him to remark “they can defeat anyone” and move into back-to-back Grand Finals.
Semi-Final #2: South Coast Taipans vs Sydney Futsal Club, Saturday 21 December, 4:30pm, The Centre – Dural Court 2
In our second semi-final, South Coast Taipans will battle Sydney Futsal Club for the other spot in the Futsal Premier League 2 decider on Saturday.
Last year’s Champions South Coast Taipans are ready to defend their title again in the semi-finals. The Taipans were a consistent force in the Futsal Premier League 2 finishing in second spot after the regular season concluded.
Sydney Futsal Club were the surprise packet of the season. They started slow but soon found their groove and rode a six-game unbeaten run to help them into third spot. Now, Sydney aim to upset the applecart and move into the Grand Final.
Regular Season Results:
Round 4: Sydney Futsal Club 8 defeated South Coast Taipans 4
Round 11: South Coast Taipans 6 defeated South Coast Taipans 0 (forfeit)
The Taipans built across the season with their first defeat to Sydney Futsal Club used as the “wake-up call they needed” and coach Bobby Mazevski will have his side primed for this semi-final clash against Sydney and look to leave their best to last.
There is plenty of talent across the court for Taipans to employ in this contest. Kya Stewart is the side’s leading scorer with 10 goals this season. She is ably assisted by Ashley Kotevski, Danika Matos and Lisa Prior to give the Taipans the required sting to move into back-to-back Grand Finals.
Sydney Futsal Club showed in their results this season that they can pile on the goals when necessary with a healthy 61 goals scored across 14 games although did concede 58 themselves. Morgan Maxwell is the fulcrum for their attack and will be one of the key reasons they will succeed on Saturday afternoon in the semi-final.
Their attack is spearheaded by Nicole Besz, Georgia Manos and Brittany Christie all feature highly in the Futsal Premier League 2 goalscorers list. That means we’re set up for a wonderful pair of semi-finals to help decide who will fill out the Grand Final spots on Sunday night.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
