Semi-Final Preview – Futsal Premier League Open Men’s
Just four points separated first from fourth in the regular Futsal Premier League Open Men’s season and with the bottom two sides coming into the finals in better form than the top two, anything goes this weekend as we crown our champions!
So join us as we preview all four sides to take part in the finals and don’t forget to come back Saturday night for a special review of the Semi-Finals
Inner West Futsal Club v Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club; Saturday 17 December, 4:30pm, The Centre Dural Futsal Pitch 1
Open Men’s premiers Inner West Futsal Club will be looking to end their time in the division on a high when they host Eastern Suburbs Hakoah, Saturday afternoon.
Inner West will come into the finals well versed with having pressure on them after a tight race for top position going into the finals. Last weekend they needed to win against Dural Warriors and the weekend before that, they had a crucial fixture against this same opposition in regard to the club championship. So coming away with four points from those two fixtures can’t be snuffed at. Led by the league’s best dressed coach in Babak Menati, captain Daniel Fornito and Jamal Belkadi lead their attack with 8 goals apiece. However you don’t win a premiership without quality across the pitch so keep an eye on them come Saturday afternoon.
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah may be the team most keen to return to the pitch this weekend after letting a lead slip last weekend in their round fourteen clash with UTS Northside. So it’s about taking the positives from the opening 40 minutes and learning from the negatives of the final ten going into the finals series. Last tasting defeat in a round four catch up game at the end of October, they have since drawn with this week’s opposition. Wellington Oliveira is their top scorer this season with 8 goals closely followed by Emmanuel Tzanakes, two players which will have a bearing on the result if they are to prevail. While keeper Noah Felich has certainly stood up in big moments this season as well.
After playing a big game just a fortnight ago, both sides have plenty of motivation to claim bragging rights here, grab the popcorn or pizza if you are a certain FNSW media personality, this could be a game to remember!
Previous Meetings: Eastern Suburbs Hakoah 1-1 Inner West R13; Inner West 6-2 Eastern Suburbs Hakoah R6.
UTS Northside Futsal Club v Mascot Vipers; Saturday 17 December, 4:30pm, The Centre Dural Futsal Pitch 2
The top two clubs in the club championship will meet in an Open Men’s semifinal as UTS Northside and Mascot Vipers lock horns at The Centre Dural.
Motivation was there for UTS Northside coming into the season, motivation to prove that the last campaign and finishing in the top four was no fluke. And you have to say, they have excelled this season finishing second in a hotly contested league. They have won three of their last four including an impressive victory over Inner West a month ago and come in with momentum following a stunning comeback last weekend. There are plenty of people to keep an eye on here, led by Grant Lynch their main threats going forward will be Karim Moursi and Nick Rainbird.
It’s a strange competition the Open Men’s Futsal Premier League where both the lower placed sides in our matchups come into the finals in better form than their higher placed opposition. So you better believe that the Mascot Vipers will be ready to strike come this weekend. Last weekend in an early taste of knockout football they prevailed over Enfield Allstars, a key part of that victory being the performance of keeper Sasha Chilas who saved his best performance of the season for last. Further up the pitch look out for both Thomas Quilligan and Ethan De Melo who are third and fourth in the golden boot.
Sharing results in the season, it’s anyone’s guess who comes out victorious in this one. Join us at the Centre Saturday afternoon to find out who will feature in the GF.
Previous Meetings: UTS Northside 3-6 Mascot Vipers R9; Mascot Vipers 2-3 UTS Northside R2.
The Futsal Premier League Open Men’s Grand Final will take place this Sunday at Valentine Sports Park with a 4:30pm kick off. We’ll have a review Saturday night to catch you up on the action ahead of the big game!
By Justin Smith
