Raiders Futsal Club crowned 2022 Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s Champions
It was an emotional win for Raiders Futsal Club defeating Boomerangs FS 3-2 in the Open Mens Grand Final at The Centre – Dural on Sunday night.
Raiders Futsal Club came out from the opening whistle with a purpose and fufilled that in taking home the trophy tonight. Jovan Miladinovic opened the scoring before Thomas Todd gave them a 2-0 lead at the break and skill from Christopher Godoy Bascur confirmed the result.
Boomerangs FS were gallant in defeat. The Canberra side showed plenty of heart in coming back to get within a goal and make it a grandstand finish. Benjamin Basser Silk scored with a sumptuous volley alongside a Leon Michl tap in.
This contest rounded a fabulous day for the Futsal Premier League 2 competitions and there was a big crowd on hand to enjoy the contest.
The first chance of the contest fell to Boomerangs FS from the head of Michael RInaudo who was found from a well aimed William Manalo ball.
It was a tense and closely fought opening stages and Boomerangs FS almost cut through Raiders Futsal Club with a free-kick routine which saw Jake Wilsener flick wide.
Both sides started to open up and create chances in the contest. Slaven Ljuboja’s strike from the kick-in was punched away by Boomerangs FS custodian Ashley Collins then Elie Darwich’s free-kick was repelled.
There was a touch of class for the Raiders Futsal Club’s opener. Jovan Miladinovic started the move then was on the end of the move to pilot home and make it 1-0.
Boomerangs FS pushed forward for an equaliser which saw Stefan Vuic go close but it fell right to Raiders Futsal Club keeper Ibrahim Daniel who had a stellar game.
Raiders Futsal Club rewarded Daniel’s keeping with their second goal of the final. Adam Voloder went on a slalom run on the left before he found Thomas Todd to tap home for 2-0.
Buoyed by the second goal Todd struck the post then the first goal scorer Miladinovic went close again but was denied by Collins.
Boomerangs FS almost pulled back a goal before the break with a well worked move but the back heel from Max Green went wide.
Coming out of the break, Boomerangs FS felt just fine. Nicholas Dahl had a pair of chances to get them on the scoreboard but again Daniel stood tall.
The Canberra side continued to rack up the chances but again couldn’t find a way through Daniel who was one of the Raiders Futsal Club’s start performers.
It took a fabulous strike to beat the Raiders Futsal Club custodian. Benjamin Basser Silk unleashed a volley which nestled into the bottom corner for 2-1.
Raiders Futsal Club pushed up the court again to restore their two-goal advantage. Voloder volleyed wide then Miladinovic had his shot saved.
They did restore the advantage in the 42nd minute. It was a good run from Christopher Godoy Bascur who toe poked the ball home to make it 3-1.
That didn’t dampen Boomerangs FS’ spirits. Basser Silk went close again in a good run then Dahl combined with Basser Silk for the former to slot wide.
Boomerangs FS set up a grandstand finish in the final three minutes. Dahl rattled the post with a shot and it fell to the foot of Michl who swept home for 3-2.
The tension was high inside The Centre – Dural. Boomerangs FS looked to find a late equaliser and went close through Basser Silk again but it went aguishly wide.
Medimurac had a late chance to add an insurance goal for Raiders Futsal Club but flashed wide then RInaudo spurned the Boomerangs FS final chance.
Raiders Futsal Club were crowned champions and the joy showed in Slaven Ljuboja who fell to his knees at the full-time whistle and looked up to the sky.
Following the presentations, an emotional Slaven Ljuboja remarked how Raiders Futsal Club were a family and their triumph was built on that:
“It was one the best Grand Finals I have been apart of and it was close to the end. This club means the world to me and I have dedicated 10 years to this club. I got down on my knees in tribute at the full-time whistle.” said Ljuboja.
On red hot keeper Ibrahim Daniel: “He has been an exceptional keeper since I have known him but that is his job at the end of the day.” finished Ljuboja.
For Boomerangs FS coach Nick Van Aalst, he was delighted with the effort from his side to get that close and their effort across the season:
“It was a good match. A slow start from the boys but the fight in the second half was good and we were in a good position to win the game. Sometimes you run into a keeper who has an amazing game. It happened to Sydney City Eagles yesterday. You win some you lose some.” said Van Aalst.
“We only lost two of our last twelve games to finish off the year. That puts us in good shape for our return to Fustal Premier League next season.” he added.
Match Stats
Sunday 18 December 2022
The Centre – Dural
Raiders Futsal Club 3 (Miladinovic, Todd, Godoy Bascur)
Boomerangs FS 2 (Basser Silk, Michl)
Raiders Futsal Club: 1. DANIEL Ibrahim, 2. TODD Thomas, 3. HAYASHI Kodai, 4. VOLODER Adam, 5. FERREIRA Luis, 6. GODOY BASCUR Christopher, 7. MILADINOVIC Jovan, 8. LJUBOJA Goran, 9. MEDIMURAC Tomas, 10. LJUBOJA Slaven, 12. BRADSHAW Terry, 83. WATSON Shane
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Boomerangs FS: 2. SMITH Callum, 4. GIOVINAZZO Daniel, 5. VUCIC Stefan, 7. MICHL Leon, 8. SHAW Murph, 11. DARWICH Elie, 12. COLLINS Ashley, 13. MANALO William, 15. WILSENER Jake, 17. BASSER SILK Benjamin, 18. GREEN Maxx, 20. ARRANZ Sebastian, 23. RINAUDO Michael, 25. DAHL Nicholas
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Other results on Sunday 18 December 2022
Under 12 Boys: South Coast Taipans 3 defeated Sydney City Eagles 1
Under 13 Girls: SD Raiders Futsal 6 defeated Sydney Futsal Club 2
Under 14 Boys: Sydney City Eagles 4 defeated by Boomerangs FS 5
Under 15 Girls: Phoenix Futsal Club 1 defeated South Coast Taipans 0
Under 16 Boys: South Coast Taipans 1 defeated by SD Raiders Futsal 4
Under 18 Women: South Coast Taipans 1 drew with Sydney City Eagles 1 (Eagles won 4-2 in the SO)
Under 19 Men: Boomerangs FS 8 defeated South Coast Taipans 1
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
