Futsal Premier League Open Women’s Semi-Finals Preview
The Futsal Premier League Open Women competition converges on Sydney Olympic Park this Saturday for our two semi-finals.
With two cracking games ahead of us, let’s preview both games which is set to light up the pitch.
UTS Northside Futsal Club v Macarthur Quake Futsal; Saturday 16 December, 3pm, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls
Our first semi-final this Saturday sees our premiers UTS Northside take on Macarthur Quake for a spot in the grand final.
We’ll start with UTS Northside who took regular season honours and the head-to-head battle between these two sides. They finished the season with two victories in their last three including a confidence building one over Mountain Majik last weekend.
It’s hard to not notice their defensive record this season only conceding 24 goals across the regular season. Keeper Samantha Fulwood playing a big role in that this season with several impressive performances. While Daisy Arrowsmith leads their goalscoring ranks with twelve goals followed by Emily Bastow and Halle Smith on 9.
Indeed, that brings us to the story of their season in the emergence of plenty of youth stepping up to the plate in 2023. They will be chasing back-to-back championships this weekend.
Their opponents Macarthur Quake will need to bounce back after a tough loss in round 14. Conceding late to Mascot Vipers, they saw their hopes of surviving in the club championship disappear before them.
Still, we know that any side coached by Mel Keith will be formidable opponents on the pitch and they have a point to prove given their two previous meetings. Before last weekend, they were on a five-game unbeaten streak. Their key players heading into this will be Alvina Khoshaba and Maddie Malone on the pitch as well as Brianna Clarke in goal.
The pressure in this one is all on UTS Northside, so could we see Macarthur Quake pull off an upset here?
Previous Meetings: Macarthur Quake Futsal 0-6 UTS Northside Futsal Club (Round 8), UTS Northside 5-1 Macarthur Quake Futsal (Round 1)
Mascot Vipers v Mountain Majik Futsal Club; Saturday 16 December, 3pm, Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls
Couldn’t be closer! Mascot Vipers take on Mountain Majik after finishing with the exact same record as each other.
Perhaps form will play a key role then? If so, Mascot Vipers will come into this one favourites after winning four of their last five games in recent times to make the semi-final this Saturday, last weekend beating Macarthur Quake.
Indeed, last weekend was their best result in recent times overcoming the Quake with a last-minute goal. Mikayla Duong has played a big role in the last couple of weeks, while there’s plenty to like across the board with Maryam Mostaghimi, Jess Frampton, Sarah Moore and of course Trudy Camilleri playing well.
Looking to go one better with a championship this weekend, they will back themselves in this one.
Which brings us to Mountain Majik who some would consider the seasons surprise packets after leading the competition for a large period of the season. However, one win in their past five means they’ll come into this one as outsiders.
Last weekend they put in a brave effort against UTS Northside despite missing four senior players. As such, we’ll focus on their win the weekend before. Clare Holder will be well rested heading into this one and she has built a good combination with Ella Buchanan across this season.
Don’t count them out, they haven’t been beaten by the Vipers yet this season with round three’s victory being one of their most impressive of the season.
Previous Meetings: Mountain Majik Futsal Club 4-4 Mascot Vipers (Round 10), Mascot Vipers 4-7 Mountain Majik Futsal Club (Round 3)
*The 2023 Futsal Premier League Open Women’s Grand Final will be streamed live on Football NSW’s Futsal Facebook and Football NSW’s YouTube page.
By Justin Smith
