Round 9 Review – Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s
Round 9 in the Futsal Premier League 2 Open Mens competition was another thrilling installment which saw plenty of goals, drama and frantic futsal action.
We have a new leader in Sydney City Eagles as we drive towards the end of the season.
Let’s get onto the review!
Sydney City Eagles 8 defeated SD Raiders Futsal 4
In a wild affair, Sydney City Eagles triumphed 8-4 against SD Raiders Futsal at Thomas Hassell Anglican College on Saturday afternoon.
That result moves Sydney City Eagles to the top of the Futsal Premier League 2 Open Mens ladder after nine games. Patrick Antelmi fired home a brace while Dean Pelekanos, Anthony Tomelic, John Morabito and William Gafa all found the back of the net with two own goals.
SD Raiders Futsal created enough chances to win that game but were wasteful in front of the goal which saw them drop to third in the ladder. Simon Nicholas had a captain’s knock with the hat-trick alongside a strike from Martin Fernandez.
For a game between the top two sides in the competition, it started in frantic fashion. Matthew Barkho and Martin Fernandez had early chances for SD Raiders Futsal to get it going.
It was SD Raiders Futsal who struck first in this contest. Simon Nicholas stepped up for a free-kick and smashed it home for 1-0.
Sydney City Eagles responded quickly to equalise in the game. Patrick Antelmi pounced on an error from the defence and fired low and made it 1-1.
The chances continued to pile up for both teams in an open contest. Antelmi went close again for the Eagles then Jordan Figon had a pair of chances for SD Raiders Futsal which rolled wide.
Antelmi continued to be the central figure for Sydney City Eagles. He hit the post with an effort before putting the hosts in the lead from a smart move from a kick in, 2-1.
Now, it was SD Raiders Futsal’s turn to respond in kind after the break. They cut through the Eagles defence and it ended with Nicholas tapping home his second, 2-2.
From here, the goal scoring ramped up. Dean Pelekanos put Sydney City Eagles back ahead when he rifled home for 3-2 before Martin Fernandez responded for SD Raiders Futsal to make it 3-3.
The Eagles took the lead for the third and final time in the contest from a set piece. It was sent in and bounced around before it rolled home off an SD Raiders Futsal defender for 4-3.
Looking to fight back again, SD Raiders Futsal had a monopoly on the ball and stroked it around looking for an opening. It ended with a tame Figon shot which was taken easily.
While the visitors held much of the possession, the Eagles took a two-goal advantage on a breakaway. Anthony Tomelic strode away confidently and finished smartly to make it 5-3.
That two-goal advantage didn’t last long when Nicholas completed his hat-trick to give the visitors some life after another well worked move to make it 5-4.
Both keepers were kept busy in this game, Eagles custodian Aaron Messina denied SD Raiders Futsal on the break then the visiting keeper Daniel Ibrahim made a good double save on Dean Pelekanos.
The Eagles put the game to bed late on with a trio of goals to make it 8-4. It started with an own goal which touched off Nicholas then John Morabito and William Gafa struck gold to complete a big win for the hosts.
Post match Sydney City Eagles coach Roy Perre was delighted with the effort from his side highlighted by the work from custodian Aaron Messina:
“We are starting to get it together, I still need to work out my subs but we’re getting there. I think when we get our game together I don’t think we’ll be beaten. Gotta give credit to our keeper Aaron who made some good saves after not keeping for 19 years. It was like a duck to water.” said Perre.
For SD Raiders captain Simon Nicholas, he was disappointed with the team not being able to make their possession count in the game:
“It was a tough game against a good opponent. We did our best but it wasn’t enough in this game. Sometimes you have days where the chances don’t go in. It would be a worry if we weren’t creating those chances really.” said Nicholas.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 5 November 2022
Thomas Hassell Anglican College
Sydney City Eagles 8 (Antelmi 2, OG 2, Pelekanos, Tomelic, Morabito, Gafa)
SD Raiders Futsal 4 (Nicholas 3, Fernandez)
Sydney City Eagles: 2. MESSINA Aaron, 5. TOMELIC Anthony, 7. CLEUR Judah, 9. ANTELMI Bruno, 12. GAFA William, 13. MORABITO John, 14. PELEKANOS Peter, 15. PERRE Robert, 18. PELEKANOS Dean, 42. ANTELMI Patrick
Yellow cards: Messina, B. Antelmi
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders Futsal: 1. IBRAHIM Daniel, 6. NICHOLAS Simon, 7. FERNANDEZ Martin, 8. LETTA James, 10. BARKHO Matthew, 14. FIGON Jordan, 21. MALFARA Sebastian, 23. MOLINA Diego, 70. TORO SUAZO Matias
Yellow cards: Figon
Red cards: nil
Sydney Futsal Club 2 defeated by Boomerangs FS 3
Boomerangs FS kept up their good form with a 3-2 win against Sydney Futsal Club at NC of Indigenous Excellence on Saturday night.
Sydney Futsal Club were in the contest throughout and equalised in the first half through Dion Kellis’ second goal of the season. Bruno Lariccia equalised a second time in the second half but a late goal doomed the hosts.
Boomerangs FS have found their rhythm after a slow start and have a four-game win streak which has them nestled into fourth spot on the FPL2 Open Mens ladder. Jake Wilsener, Daniel Giovinazzo and Elie Darwich all found the back of the net in the success.
West City Crusaders 2 defeated by Phoenix Futsal Club 3
Phoenix Futsal Club made it back-to-back wins in their 3-2 win over West City Crusaders at PCYC Hawkesbury on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts battled hard but were made to pay for being wasteful in front of goal and are falling away in their chase for the top four. Both of the Crusaders goals came in the second half to Ryan Faulkner who has five goals for the season.
Back-to-back successes have helped Phoenix Futsal Club soar into sixth spot on the FPL2 Open Mens ladder. Jordan Smylie once again featured with a pair of goals to bolster his tally while Connor Slater fired home the opener.
South Coast Taipans 1 defeated by Raiders Futsal Club 4
It was a big win down at Illawarra Hockey Centre for Raiders Futsal Club as they defeated South Coast Taipans 4-1 on Saturday night.
The Taipans were level for long periods of the contest and went into the break at 1-1 but paid for a few defensive lapses late in the game. The hosts only goal came from Kyle Del, who opened the scoring in the first ten minutes.
Raiders Futsal Club continue their strong form with back-to-back wins and undefeated in over five games to surge into the top four. Adam Voloder starred with a hat-trick which included the two which broke open the game alongside a Kodai Hayashi goal to round it off.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
