Round 13 Preview – Futsal Premier League Open Men’s
It’s almost as if finals have come early in the Futsal Premier League Open Men’s competition. With six teams in contention for finals still and some important club championship business to sort, let’s look ahead to round 13 of the competition.
UTS Northside Futsal Club v Enfield Allstars; Saturday 3 December, 5:30pm, PCYC Dee Why
Any other week this could be considered the match of the week as UTS Northside host Enfield Allstars in a top four clash.
It was a case of take the three points and look forward to next week for UTS Northside after their round twelve victory over Campbelltown City Quake. In a tough battle, there were two positives coming out of it, the goalscoring form of Lucas Rainbird who scored a double. And the clean sheet with UTS well clear of the next best defense in the competition. All while calling on Omar Moursi and Reef Farias who made their first appearance for the season.
After three defeats on the bounce, Enfield Allstars were finally able to add to their points tally with a draw against Mountain Majik last weekend. Still, they would have felt they could have gotten more from that one after leading 4-1 at one point in the second half. Dominic Cox continues to be a bright spark leading the golden boot race with thirteen goals.
Previous Meeting: Enfield Allstars 4-1 UTS Northside
Mascot Vipers v Campbelltown City Quake Futsal Club; Saturday 3 December, 5:30pm, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls
Must win game? Mascot Vipers look the favourites as they host Campbelltown City Quake at Sydney Olympic Park.
You know it’s a close competition when a team on an unbeaten run loses one game and drops out of the four. Such is the case for Mascot Vipers and they have two chances to send themselves back into the four. Last weekend they fell just short of competition leaders Inner West in a physical clash at VSP. Yanni Plataniotis scored twice to bring them back level but despite putting a lot of pressure on their hosts, they were unable to equalize a third time.
Despite what the table tells you, Campbelltown City Quake aren’t a team you want to take lightly. Last weekend against UTS Northside, they were perhaps unlucky to come up against two quality goalkeepers who kept them at bay despite creating multiple chances. Keep an eye out for Rhys Osmond and keeper Thomas Butkovic as players to watch here.
Previous Meeting: Campbelltown City Quake 3-6 Mascot Vipers
Mountain Majik Futsal Club v Dural Warriors; Saturday 3 December, 6:30pm, Valentine Sports Park
Desperation will be the name of the game as Mountain Majik look to keep their top four hopes alive against Dural Warriors.
Yeah, unfortunately when you start looking at mathematical possibilities it becomes a tough ask. And that’s where Mountain Majik find themselves four points behind fourth with two rounds to go. Last weekend, they were held to a draw in a must win fixture against Enfield Allstars. Alexander Vlismas was the standout performer in that one with a quickfire hat-trick in the second half. If they are too win, they will have to overcome a poor home record this season winning just once at VSP.
They face a side whose finals hopes were ended last weekend. Yeah, after a positive opening half, the Dural Warriors just couldn’t match it with Eastern Suburbs Hakoah in their round twelve clash. A result which has made it mathematically impossible for them to finish in the top four. Jacob Basden their solitary goal scorer in that one. Out of the top four fight, they will be looking for a win to further cement in the division.
Previous Meeting: Dural Warriors 0-2 Mountain Majik
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club v Inner West Futsal Club; Saturday 3 December, 6:50pm, Morris Iemma Indoor SC
This game feels like it needs no introduction! Eastern Suburbs Hakoah and Inner West will take to the pitch with finals aspirations and avoiding relegation aspirations on the line.
Yes, I’m sure I’m not the only one who circled this fixture a few weeks ago as one not to miss.
First, we have Eastern Suburbs Hakoah who have put together their best run of form this season. Four wins in a row, they now sit two points below their opposition this weekend so a win would take them above them. Last weekend they defeated a desperate Dural Warriors who were looking to keep their season alive, look out for Emmanuel Tzanakes who has scored in four successive games for the hosts.
They take on an Inner West side who finally took the competition lead last weekend after threatening to do so for a while now. With eight victories from their twelve games, they stand above this week’s opposition by two points. Last time out, they overcame a in form Mascot Vipers side in a statement victory heading into the finals. Tobias Seeto looks like a player to watch out for getting on the scoresheet the past two outings.
There’s two points between these two on the club championship, so why not make a day of it and support the youth sides as well?
Previous Meeting: Inner West 6-2 Eastern Suburbs Hakoah.
By Justin Smith
