Semi Final Review – Futsal Premier League Open Women’s
The Semi-Finals of the Futsal Premier Leagues Open women’s competition delivered in spades, Saturday afternoon with two high scoring fixtures lighting up the Centre in Sydney’s North West.
It all sets up a mouthwatering season conclusion when Mascot Vipers and UTS Northside face off tomorrow afternoon.
Mascot Vipers 6-4 Dural Warriors
Mascot Vipers booked their place in the grand final in thrilling fashion with a two-goal victory over Dural Warriors at the Centre.
Trailing by a goal at the break, the Vipers and Trudy Camelleri in particular took it too another level after the break with Camelleri walking away with five goals in a standout performance. With only one sub throughout, it was a performance full of character.
It’s the end of the line for Dural Warriors who just couldn’t keep pace with their opponents in the second half despite pulling level with seven minutes left. They found the net through four different scorers.
Described as a match of fluctuating fortunes, both sides had good periods throughout with goals often coming two at a time.
Opening the scoring was you guessed it, Trudy Camelleri six minutes in. However they would go into the break a goal down as Sheiden Jabour, Rachel Perrins and Bianca Dobson all found the net in the remaining twenty-three minutes. While Camelleri doubled her tally in the same minute as Dobson’s before the break.
After the break, the Vipers struck twice in a matter of seconds, Tess Quilligan with the first of those before Camelleri completed her hattrick. However the Warriors somehow found a way to level things once again when Samantha Nagy found the back of the net.
However nothing was going to overshadow the goalscoring performance of Camelleri who added another two goals in the final minutes bringing us to the final score.
UTS Northside Futsal Club (5) 4-4 (4) Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club
UTS Northside produced a miracle at Dural to overcome Eastern Suburbs Hakoah in the second Open Women’s semi-final.
In a game where they both produced their worst and best, UTS Northside were able to score four goals in the second half through four different outlets to take the game to penalties before prevailing there.
It’s heartbreak for this Eastern Suburbs Hakoah side who looked comfortable in the first half before momentum swung against them. Going down to penalties is always a lottery and the result didn’t come out in their favour.
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah took a three-goal lead with three goals in the space of four minutes around the quarter hour mark. Caitlin Campbell with the first of them, before Zoe Anderson and Gisella Pipino joined in with the second and third goal.
Their fourth on 37 minutes from Gisella Pipino seemingly confirming their victory.
But this is futsal after all and well the momentum dramatically changed over the next ten minutes.
Tess Olsen and Jenny Hill scoring to give UTS Northside a bit of hope before Daisy Arrowsmith and Emily Bastow found the net shortly after that sealing a remarkable comeback.
UTS Northside move onto tomorrows grand finals after prevailing on penalties 5-4 after scores were level at FT of extra time.
Mini Grand Final Preview: Mascot Vipers v UTS Northside Futsal Club; Saturday 18th December, 3pm, Valentine Sports Park
Premiers Mascot Vipers will face one last task as they take on UTS Northside in the Open Women’s grand final.
It will be a tough ask for the Vipers as there is every chance, they will have some weary legs come kick off in this one. They overcame Dural Warriors in their semi-final Saturday afternoon and are on an eight-game unbeaten run stretching back to round eight.
Not too long ago, UTS Northside were on the wrong end of an upset of the season contender going down to Mountain Majik. However since then, they have gone on a bit of a run qualifying for the grand final with a thrilling comeback before penalties saw them through.
Both sides have shared the spoils in their two previous meetings this season with UTS prevailing 7-2 back in round two before Mascot Vipers responded with a 4-2 victory in round nine.
Make sure you catch the action at Valentine Sports Park or via NPL.TV where Eric Subijano will take you through the action.
By Justin Smith
