Futsal Premier League Open Men’s Round 10 Review
Four of the top five sides emerged victorious in Round 10 action of the Futsal Premier League Open Men’s competition.
A good weekend for sides pushing for a finals position, the finals race is heating up approaching the final four rounds.
Mountain Majik Futsal Club 6-3 Mascot Vipers
Mountain Majik continued their impressive run of form with a 6-3 victory over Mascot Vipers at Valentine Sports Park.
Coming up against their nearest challenger, they were in a confident mood throughout taking a lead and not looking back against the Vipers who despite creating moments, couldn’t match it with the table toppers throughout.
The pattern of this one was set early with Majik holding a lot of possession in the early stages with Vipers holding their shape well. Often sequences ending with a shot from Anthony Haddad who wasn’t afraid to try his luck.
It seemed a matter of time before the pressure would tell and so it came to be in the 8th minute of play. Christopher Barbera found the back of the net cutting in from the right.
Mascot Vipers having their first opportunity soon after, Peter Politis breaking forward on his own down the left before cutting inside, his shot saved.
However, it came as no surprise when Majik doubled their lead through Robson De Souza. A free kick routine stretching the defense from side to side with De Souza tapping home at the back post, Anthony Haddad with the assist.
What came as a surprise was the equaliser from the Vipers. Peter Politis scoring a minute later direct from a set piece. His free kick from deep making its way through a sea of legs.
Majik responded with their third goal, Jordan Guerreiro capping off a lovely interchange of passes with a first-time powerful finish. 3-1 Majik, a scoreline which would hold until half time.
The resumption of play saw the Vipers have their best period of the game as they looked to mount a comeback. Yianni Plataniotis and Peter Politis both had early chances in the second half.
Vipers were able to grab their second in the 28th minute. Mikah Chilas showed composure for this one with a few touches before finishing from a central position.
Despite this, every time the Vipers looked like coming back into it, Majik just seemed to have an answer. Robson De Souza scored their fourth with a lunging finish past the half hour, with Jordan Guerreiro busy in the buildup.
Thomas Quilligan added the Vipers’ third with a finish on the end of a spell-binding dribble to once again pull within a goal of their opponents.
The Majik showed their nerve in the closing stages, with goals to Jamie Dib and Jordan Guerreiro sealing the 6-3 victory.
Mascot Vipers return home to face Dural next weekend, while Mountain Majik will be favourites in their fixture with Macarthur Quake.
Dural Warriors 4-1 UTS Northside Futsal Club
Dural Warriors kept their season alive with a 4-1 victory over UTS Northside in the battle between 5th and 6th at the Centre.
The first time they have secured back-to-back victories in two seasons, they weren’t at their best but came away with the result. For UTS Northside, they showed their defensive ability but struggled to make a dent at the other end against the Dural Warriors defense.
Cameron Philp was first to find the net for the hosts before Jamal Belkadi scored their second on the counterattack after Reef Farias opened the scoring for the visitors.
Cameron Philp scoring the second of his brace and Hamza Sweedan joining him in the final stages of the match as UTS Northside pushed forward.
Dural Warriors take on Mascot Vipers next weekend while UTS Northside take on Boomerangs FS in their final away trip of the season.
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club 2-0 Boomerangs FS
Eastern Suburbs Hakoah held onto their position in the top four with a 2-0 victory over Boomerangs FS.
An important result in more ways than one, they proved just a bit too good for their visitors with two second half goals giving them the victory.
It was hard work getting through a dogged Boomerangs side whose squad was depleted from the off with four players backing up from youth duties. But Hakoah were able to make the pressure tell late on with two second half goals with a raise in their tempo.
Emmanuel Tzanakes breaking through in the 22nd minute from long range, teed up from a kick in on the right side.
Despite this, the Boomerangs were able to create multiple chances on the break throughout the second half. While Ash Collins kept things level with saves in the Boomerangs net.
The winning goal came through Cesar Perego scoring from the other end of the pitch as Boomerangs pushed for an equalizer.
Post game, Hakoah coach Steve Tzanakes singled out James Reed and Jonathan Lynch as their best who both continued a purple patch of form. While also crediting the Boomerangs for putting up an amazing fight.
Boomerangs coach Nic Van Aalst also wanting us to mention the efforts of 15-year-old Michael Pratezina who stepped up when his side needed him and didn’t look out of place.
Enfield Allstars 6-4 Macarthur Quake Futsal
Finally, four goals in the final ten minutes saw Enfield Allstars secure an important 6-4 victory over Macarthur Quake.
A return to form? The Allstars bounced back from back-to-back defeats to solidify their spot in the top four, while Macarthur Quake will have to wait another week to get off the bottom of the table.
Key to the Enfield Allstars victory was the performance of Peter Grozos who capped off his display with three goals on the evening. His first opening the score in the 5th minute.
Quake equalizing for the first time in this one through young William Miranda giving the visitors hope in this one.
Peter Grozos scored an absolute beauty to restore the Allstars’ lead before Marcus D’Alessandro equalized in the final minute of the first half.
That goal seemingly changed the momentum of proceedings with Lukas Luburic putting the Quake ahead two minutes into the second half. Controlling it on the juggle with one foot before finishing on the volley with his right. An own goal followed putting the Quake into a 4-2 lead.
However, the momentum flipped once again, and Enfield Allstars scored four from that point. Peter Grozos completed his hat-trick before Sebastian Boffa equalized drawing loud celebrations from the crowd.
Dominic Cox added their fifth to take the lead before Bruno Pivato completed the scoring for the 6-4 Allstars win.
By Justin Smith
