Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s Semi-Finals Review
The match-up for the Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s Grand Final has been set after a pair of fascinating semi-finals on Saturday. It will be South Coast Taipans taking on reigning champions Raiders Futsal Club in the decider. Let’s get onto the review.
Semi-Final 1: South Coast Taipans 7 defeated SD Raiders Futsal 2
South Coast Taipans won 7-2 against SD Raiders Futsal in their game at The Centre – Dural on Saturday night.
The Taipans conceded the first goal then rolled on to advance the FPL2 Open Men’s Grand Final tomorrow. Cody Waller and Giovanni Panuccio scored twice while Matthew Mazevski, Adam Voloder and Kyle Del also found the back of the net.
SD Raiders Futsal huffed and puffed but couldn’t push past the Taipans in this semi-final game. They did open the scoring through Matthew Barkho in the 6th minute, Barkho added a late consolation in the 34th minute.
The game was an open affair from the first whistle. Both teams tried to test out the keepers with early chances which were dealt with.
South Coast Taipans settled into their rhythm and went close in the third minute. Rick Goodchild whacked an effort against the post.
Matthew Barkho has been the livewire for the SD Raiders Futsal attack and led the way early. He forced Taipans keeper Brandon Groom to palm away a shot.
He found the opening goal in the 6th minute. Barkho rocketed an effort into the net to make it 1-0 for SD Raiders Futsal.
SD Raiders Futsal went close to doubling their advantage. Clay Tanti hit the woodwork then Phoenix Molloy whistled wide.
The Taipans found the equalizer in the 13th minute. Cody Waller finished off a slick move to make it 1-1 in a tight game.
From there, Taipans started to assert their control on the game. Giovanni Panuccio shot straight then Adam Voloder shot wide.
South Coast Taipans made it 2-1 in the 19th minute. Golden Boot Matthew Mazevski was able to poke the ball home for his 25th goal of the season.
Taipans kept up their strong work early in the second half and made it 3-1. Panuccio whacked the post then the ball rolled home.
Simon Nicholas tried to respond for SD Raiders Futsal. He drove towards goal but fired straight at Groom.
Taipans made it 4-1 with some magic from Voloder. He was able to flick the ball over the keeper and into the net in the 27th minute.
All the momentum was with Taipans and they made it 5-1. Kyle Del weaved past the defence and the SD Raiders Futsal keeper in the 31st minute.
Waller completed his brace soon after in the 33rd minute. He arrowed home an effort which made it 6-1 for the Taipans.
SD Raiders Futsal pulled a goal back in the 34th minute through Barkho. He had another strong effort and found the back of the net for 6-2.
Panuccio put the icing on the win for Taipans in the 36th minute. He added a second goal to his tally and took the scoreline to 7-2.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 16 December 2023
The Centre – Dural
South Coast Taipans 7 (Waller ’13 ’33 Mazevski ’19 Panuccio ’22 ’36 Voloder ’27 Del ’31)
SD Raiders Futsal 2 (Barkho ‘6 ’34)
South Coast Taipans
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
SD Raiders Futsal
Yellow cards: Skobla
Red cards: Skobla
West City Crusaders 0 defeated by Raiders Futsal Club 5
Raiders Futsal Club put in a five-star performance in their 5-0 win over West City Crusaders at The Centre – Dural on Saturday night.
West City Crusaders tried their hardest but weren’t able to break down a stoic Raiders Futsal Club defence in the semi-final. They tried to go for the extra attacker at times but Ibrahim Daniel came up trumps.
For Raiders Futsal Club, it is another Grand Final appearance for the club. Target man Tomas Medimurac chipped in a pair of goals while Ryan Henderson, Christopher Godoy Bascur and Ryan Henderson also found the back of the net.
Raiders Futsal Club had the experience at this stage of the competition and it showed in their play across the whole game.
They were the first time to find the back of the net. Tomas Medimurac added another goal to his impressive tally to make it 1-0.
Raiders Futsal Club doubled their delight in the 7th minute. Ryan Henderson was able to sweep the ball home to make it 2-0.
It was one-way traffic for Raiders Futsal Club. One of their key attacking weapons in Christopher Godoy Bascur got on the board and made it 3-0.
They continued to push forward for further goals. Anthony Makris had the best chance for them but he shot straight at Crusaders keeper Shane Watson.
Crusaders knew they needed a response early in the half. Alexander Murrell had a chance but put it right at Daniel.
Daniel was busy in the early stages of the second half. He had to come up with some key stops to keep it at 3-0.
Crusaders continued to push forward to add another comeback to their season. Murrell had a chance alongside Gregory Kondek but were denied.
They went for the extra man to hopefully find some space. Raiders Futsal Club held firm and Luis Ferreira rolled into the empty net and made it 4-0.
Christopher Godoy Bascur tried to add some extra icing to the win. He weaved through the Crusaders defence but couldn’t find the final touch.
Medimurac was able to make it 5-0 late in the contest. He was able to roll it into the empty net for his second goal in the 37th minute.
Daniel came up with a few more important stops and even tried to get on a scoresheet late as Raiders Futsal Club ran out 5-0 winners.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 16 December 2023
The Centre – Dural
West City Crusaders 0
Raiders Futsal Club 5 (Medimurac ‘3 ’37 Henderson ‘7 Godoy Bascur ’12 Ferreira ‘35)
West City Crusaders: 1. Shane Watson, 2. Kurt Elborough, 5. Alexander Murrell, 6. Stuart Gosling, 7. Arsallan Mangal, 8. Ryan Faulkner, 9. Zachary Reardon, 12. Kwadwo Boamah-Addai, 13. Benjamin Lam, 19. Gregory Kondek
Yellow cards: Gosling Kondek
Red cards: nil
Raiders Futsal Club: 1. Ibrahim Daniel, 5. Anthony Makris, 6. Christopher Godoy Bascur, 8. Goran Ljuboja, 9. Tomas Medimurac, 10. Slaven Ljuboja, 12. Terry Bradshaw, 24. Justin Chan Frais, 25. Javier Morales, 27. Luis Ferreria, 30. Ryan Henderson
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
