Futsal Premier League Open Men’s Round 11 Preview
With three weeks of the regular season to go, there’s not a lot of room for error in the Futsal Premier League Open Men’s competition as we approach round 11.
Four fixtures to look forward to for different reasons, let’s preview the weekend’s action.
Mascot Vipers v Dural Warriors; Saturday 25 November, 5:20pm, Heffron Centre
Dural Warriors will be confident after back-to-back wins as they visit Mascot Vipers at the Heffron Centre.
It’s a new experience for Mascot Vipers this season as they look to hit back from their first defeat in 2023. With two games to come this weekend, it’s the perfect chance to solidify their spot in second.
Last weekend, they just couldn’t match it with competition leaders Mountain Majik away from home. On pitch, Peter Politis was perhaps their best in that one while Dylan Niski was called upon more frequently than they would’ve liked.
A win here could see the Dural Warriors knocking on the door of the top four with three rounds to go in the competition. Sitting on 13 points, they are five points behind the Vipers on the table.
If the sign of a good team is winning when you’re not performing at your best, the Warriors past that test last weekend against UTS Northside. Cameron Philp was their main attacking threat with a brace, joined by Jamal Belkadi and Hamza Sweedan on the scoresheet.
There wasn’t much between these two in their first meeting where things finished 1-1. Who will claim bragging rights here?
Macarthur Quake Futsal v Mountain Majik Futsal Club; Saturday 25 November, 5:20pm, Minto Indoor Sports Centre
Top travels to face bottom as Mountain Majik travel South to face Macarthur Quake at Minto Indoor Sports Centre.
One side who are looking confident on the pitch against another who are improving after recent personnel changes, this will be an interesting one this weekend.
Macarthur Quake are quickly establishing themselves as a team too watch with plenty of goals coming in their last five fixtures, they just need a way to turn entertainment into a victory.
Last weekend, they conceded four goals in the final ten minutes to have a victory stolen away from them. Adding to the pain will be the loss of Alexander Nicolosi who saw red last weekend in that defeat.
No such worries for Mountain Majik who are looking better for top spot in the regular season as the weeks progress. Five victories on the trot, maybe it will take some magic for the Quake to emerge win here.
Anyway, returning to the last weekend, they sent the competition a message overcoming the Vipers. Jordan Guerreiro was the standout in that one while Robson De Souza continued his goalscoring form.
Boomerangs FS v UTS Northside Futsal Club; Saturday 25 November, 5:20pm, Mpowerdome
Boomerangs return home to face UTS Northside searching for their first win in six games at the Mpowerdome.
Two teams in less-than-ideal form, something will have to give this weekend as these two meet, so let’s take a look at it.
We’ll start with Boomerangs FS who have lost five games in a row. Perhaps out of finals contention, there is still plenty to play for regarding the club championship which could determine whether they stay in the league.
Last week they put in a valiant effort against Eastern Suburbs Hakoah. Threatening on the counter throughout as Nick Rathjen led his side. While keeper Ash Collins also was impressive at the other end. Look out for them both ahead of this one.
Their opponents UTS Northside come into this one in slightly better form than their opposition. Though with two draws in their past five, they took will be desperate for a win here.
Last weekend they held a lead for half an hour before a Dural Warriors onslaught in the final ten. Reef Farias their scorer in that one. They will be looking to take more of their chances as they look to break their winless run.
Enfield Allstars v Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club; Saturday 25 November, 6:50pm, Morris Iemma Indoor SC
Enfield Allstars host Eastern Suburbs Hakoah in a highly anticipated round eleven clash at Morris Iemma Indoor SC.
These two sides used to share the venue and there isn’t much between them on the pitch this season sitting in third and fourth.
Last weekend’s round ten victory could well be the Allstars most important one when they season is reflected on. After two consecutive defeats they pulled out a victory from the jaws of defeat against the Quake.
One of those games where one individual just seemed destined to score with every touch, Peter Grozos scored their first three goals. While Stephen Spirou also impressed with his individual performance.
Two victories in their last three, Eastern Suburbs Hakoah are hitting form at the right time in 2023. With a four-point gap to fifth place below them, they sit just one point below their opponents here.
Last weekend they overcame a tenacious Boomerangs FS side at home. Jonathon Lynch and James Reed were the standouts. While it’s important to note how important George Lethbridge has been since coming back. They won the first meeting between the two sides 2-1 back in round four.
By Justin Smith
