Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s Round 14 Review
The curtain has come down on the Futsal Premier League 2 Open Mens regular season after a fascinating Round 14. The top four is now set for the finals next weekend following three exciting games played out on Saturday. Let’s get onto the review.
Match of the Round: SD Raiders Futsal vs Raiders Futsal Club
Points were shared in the 7-7 draw between SD Raiders Futsal and Raiders Futsal Club at Thomas Hassall Anglican College on Saturday morning.
It was the point SD Raiders Futsal needed to confirm their spot in the FPL2 Open Mens top four. Matthew Barkho led the way with four goals while Peter Daniel, Phoenix Molloy and Clay Tanti all found the back of the net.
Raiders Futsal Club were in the finals already but played a solid game and took SD Raiders Futsal right to the end. They shared the scoring around with Goran Ljuboja and Slaven Ljuboja both scoring alongside Javier Morales, Terry Bradshaw, Jovan Miladinovic and two from Christian Huidobro.
Both SD Raiders Futsal and Raiders Futsal Club strode onto Thomas Hassall Anglican College on a hot Saturday morning to earn three points.
The first chance for Raiders Futsal Club fell to Christian Huidobro. He weaved past the hosts defence but couldn’t find the finish.
They kept up the pressure early to find the opener. Raiders Futsal Club piled on the shots but weren’t getting past Ryan Baldi.
Raiders Futsal Club made it 1-0 in the 7th minute. Goran Ljuboja showed off his skill and walked down the court before he swept it home.
There was an immediate response from SD Raiders Futsal. Peter Daniel whipped a shot which rocketed into the net for 1-1.
The action was heating up like the temperature outside. Raiders Futsal Club dug out a 2-1 lead through Javier Morales in the eighth minute.
Raiders Futsal Club made it 3-1 in the 12th minute. Goran Ljuboja played a glorious pass for Terry Bradshaw to turn home.
Both teams were keen to get the ball up and down the pitch. Slaven Ljuboja and Matthew Barkho had chances for their teams.
SD Raiders Futsal clawed it back to 3-2 quickly. Barkho was heavily involved again and was able to sweep the ball home.
The visitors restored their two-goal lead in the 14th minute. Christian Huidobro found some space and rolled the ball home for 4-2.
Raiders Futsal Club ended the half with a flurry. Huidobro hit the post then Baldi had to produce a pair of big saves to keep it at 4-2.
SD Raiders Futsal brought it back to 4-3 just before half-time. Barkho was found on the break and swept the ball home.
Coming out of half-time, the pace remained consistent. Barkho tried to drag SD Raiders Futsal level but his shot went straight.
Raiders Futsal Club absorbed the pressure and extended the lead to 5-3. It was Huidobro who fired a shot which arrowed into the corner.
SD Raiders Futsal again responded immediately. Barkho stood over a free kick and whipped it into the bottom corner for 5-4.
The visitors needed their keeper to stand up with a few key saves. He palmed away a Barkho shot then provided another stop.
Raiders Futsal Club got back to 6-4 in the 34th minute. Captain coach Slaven Ljuboja found some room and rolled home.
SD Raiders Futsal were gifted a way back into the game with a 10 metre penalty. Barkho stood up to take and was denied then Daniel thrashed one against the crossbar.
Keeper Baldi drove downfield and touched wide from close range then another Barkho shot fizzed wide as the tension ramped up.
The hosts did claw back another goal in the 37th minute. Phoenix Molley stretched out and thrashed it home for 6-5.
SD Raiders Futsal were awarded another 10 metre penalty. Daniel took this time and once again hit the woodwork.
Desperate for another goal, SD Raiders Futsal engaged the press and got a result. Molloy and Barkho pressed and the latter tapped home for 6-6.
Raiders Futsal Club had another quick response and made it 7-6. Jovan Miladinovic was free at the far post to roll home in the 38th minute.
SD Raiders Futsal needed some magic and it came from Clay Tanti. He received the ball from a kick in and thrashed it home for 7-7.
The hosts saw out the result of the game without incident and got the point they needed to confirm their spot in the FPL2 Open Mens top four.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 9 December 2023
Thomas Hassall Anglican College
SD Raiders Futsal 7 (Daniel ‘7 Barkho ‘13 ‘18 ‘27 ‘37 Molloy ‘37 Tanti ‘38)
Raiders Futsal Club 7 (G. Ljuboja ‘7 Morales ‘8 Bradshaw ‘11 Huidobro ‘14 ‘24 S. Ljuboja ‘34 Miladinovic ‘38)
SD Raiders Futsal: 1. Yousaf Anwar, 10. Matthew Barkho, 11. Ryan Baldi, 18. Ibrahim El Khoury, 28. Jack Hanzis, 30. Phoenix Molloy, 44. Clay Tanti, 98. Peter Daniel
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
Raiders Futsal Club: 1. Ibrahim Daniel, 5. Anthony Makris, 6. Christopher Godoy Bascur, 7. Jovan Miladinovic, 8. Goran Ljuboja, 9. Tomas Medimurac, 10. Slaven Ljuboja, 12. Terry Bradshaw, 19. Christian Huidobro, 20. Jackson Jarnet, 24. Justin Chan Farias, 25. Javier Morales, 30. Ryan Henderson, 34. Sebastian Tamayo
Yellow cards: Jarnet
Red cards: nil
Phoenix Futsal Club 5 defeated by West City Crusaders 8
West City Crusaders rounded off the regular season with a 8-5 win against Phoenix Futsal Club at The Centre – Dural on Saturday morning.
The Crusaders warmed up for the finals series next weekend with another solid win. Ryan Faulkner opened the scoring for the visitors in the first minute before Kwadwo Boamah-Addai made it 2-0 in the 12th minute. Jay Azzopardi pulled one back for Phoenix Futsal Club then Kurt Elborough restored the two-goal lead going into the break.
West City Crusaders stretched their lead coming out the break. Boamah-Addai and Stuart Gosling both struck in the 22nd minute to make it 5-1. Blake Mount added the sixth for Crusaders before keeper James Brunacci and Issac Wylie tallied twice for Phoenix.
Elborough added his second goal in the 37th minute for 7-3 then another goal rush from Phoenix Futsal Club saw Wylie and Azzopardi strike. Gosling rounded off the scoring in the final minute for Crusaders.
APIA FC Futsal 6 defeated Sydney Futsal Club 2
APIA FC Futsal won 6-2 against Sydney Futsal Club in their game at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday night.
Their fate in the top four was sealed before the game but APIA FC Futsal went out on a high for the 2023 FPL2 Open Mens season. Guilherme Mazurkiewicz Pansonato scored a first half hat-trick to make it 3-0 for APIA FC Futsal and it took him to 23 for the season and one behind Golden Boot Matthew Mazevski.
APIA FC Futsal kept their foot on the pedal in the second half. Arthur Demberi scored to make it 4-0 in the 28th minute quickly followed by Christian Dos Santos to make it five. Dion Kellis and James Tsokos pulled it back to 5-2 for Sydney Futsal Club then Kleber Capelozzi rounded off the win for APIA.
Sydney City Eagles vs South Coast Taipans was cancelled
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
