Semi-Final Review – Futsal Premier League 2 Open Women’s
The semi-finals in the Futsal Premier League 2 Open Womens competition saw plenty of goals and a battle between the top two for tomorrow’s Grand Final.
The decider will see Boomerangs FS face off against South Coast Taipans.
Let’s get onto the review.
South Coast Taipans vs Sydney City Eagles
A first half blitz from South Coast Taipans formed their 4-0 win over Sydney City Eagles in their semi-final at Morris Iemma Indoor SC on Saturday afternoon.
South Coast Taipans showed why they finished second in the FPL2 Open Womens competition with a solid performance. It opened with an own goal then Ursual Bratjanscak, Megan Grew and Christina Videla rounded out the win.
For Sydney City Eagles, it was a tough showing to finish off what has been a good season for the proud club. They battled all the way until the final whistle in this game and went close to finding the back of the net a few times.
The game started off in a tense fashion between two sides that were keen to put their best foot forward in this game and move a step closer to the Grand Final.
It was the Taipans who were the first to challenge either keeper. Lulu Lozano had a shot which went whistled past the net.
Taipans settled into a rhythm of dominating much of the possession and found the opener in the seventh minute of the game. It was a good passing move which was turned home by a defender which made it 1-0.
The south coast side continue to have the majority of the chances in the first half. Helena Halios-Lewis weaved past the defence and had a shot which was gathered by Eagles custodian Isabella Sollecito.
Soon enough, the Taipans had their second goal. Ellen Brown cushioned a wonderful ball into the path of Ursula Bratjanscak who slotted home to make it 2-0.
Sydney City Eagles settled into their game and Sofia Sollecito had a headed which flicked wide of the post in their first major chance of the game.
The Taipans quickly made it 3-0 when Megan Grew fired an effort off the post and into the back of the net after Christina Videla had an earlier chance saved.
The Eagles finished the first half with a pair of chances to pull a goal back. Sofia Sollecito had a free-kick go over the bar then she went close with a chance two minutes later.
In the final minute, Taipans stretched their advantage to 4-0 and put one of their feet into the Grand Final on Sunday. Bratjanscak had her shot saved then Videla cleaned up on the rebound.
Sydney City Eagles came out of the break shot out a cannon with two chances. Alanah Nicholas had the best one when her deflected effort had the defence scrambling.
Nicholas looked to be the best route to a goal for the Eagles. She stood over a free-kick which flew over the bar as it remained a four-goal game.
There was a lower tempo to the second half but Taipans went close to a fifth goal. Grew rattled the post with an effort.
The Eagles continued to play until the final whistle and get themselves on the scoreboard. Montana Bolzan went closest for them but couldn’t poke the ball home.
Lozano went close to adding herself to the scoresheet in the final stages. She forced Isabella Sollecito into a strong save.
There was a final chance for Bratjanscak who shot wide in the final few minutes but the Taipans were able to see the game out and move into the Grand Final.
Post-match South Coast Taipans coach Bobby Mazevski was happy with the first half effort from the side and their second half left them with things to work on:
“It was a really good first half, we killed the game in the first half. We tried a few things in the second half but I am disappointed there wasn’t a similar score. Tomorrow is another game and we’re looking forward to our clash with Boomerangs FS. Let’s see how it all goes.” said Mazevski.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 17 December 2022
Morris Iemma Indoor SC
South Coast Taipans 4 (Bratjanscak, Grew, Videla, OG)
Sydney City Eagles 0
South Coast Taipans: 1. BARTLETT Miriam, 3. BROWN Ellen, 4. KOTEVSKI Ashley, 5. GREW Megan, 6. JORDAN Abigail, 8. LOZANO Lulu, 9. VIDELA Christina, 10. BRATJANSCAK Ursula, 11. JOHNSON Poppy, 15. HALIOS-LEWIS Helena
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Sydney City Eagles: 1. SOLLECITO Isabella, 2. NICHOLAS Alanah, 4. MANNA Melina, 5. BOLZAN Montana, 7. ANTIC Elena, 12. PERRE Alessia, 13. SOLLECITO Sofia
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Boomerangs FS 9 defeated Raiders Futsal Club 1
Boomerangs FS were ruthless in their 9-1 demolition of Raiders Futsal Club in their semi-final at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday afternoon.
The side who have all before them in the FPL2 Open Womens competition stormed into the Grand Final in style with the eight-goal win. Alex Mckenzie led the way for Boomerangs FS with a four-goal performance for 13 goals this season.
Boomerangs FS other goal scorers were Ella-Rose Brown and Natalie De Marco who fired home the first two goals of the contest. Maria Pachi was the other scorer in the first half. Ayla Robertson and Sharon Chao found the back of the net in the second stanza.
Raiders Futsal Club had a solid season and bow out in the semi-finals after they finished fourth on the FPL2 Open Womens ladder after the regular season. Nyssa Castillo found a consolation goal in the second half to make it 7-1.
Boomerangs FS vs South Coast Taipans, Sunday 18 December, 4pm, The Centre – Dural
We’re set for a top two contest in the decider between Boomerangs FS and South Coast Taipans at The Centre – Dural on Sunday afternoon.
Boomerangs FS have been the all-conquering side in the FPL2 Open Womens competition and will head into the game firm favourites to complete the double. Coach Kristian Collins will have them well prepared and ready to go from the opening whistle.
The Taipans are the only side which took points from Boomerangs FS in the regular season in their 3-3 draw back in Round 5. They do have top scorer Lulu Lozano in their line-up and she will be key to them taking home the hardware.
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
