Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s Grand Final Review
The Futsal Premier League 2 Open Men’s season has come to it’s conclusion in thrilling fashion after a hard fought Grand Final on Sunday night. South Coast Taipans were crowned Champions after defeating a gallant Raiders Futsal Club side.
Let’s get onto the review.
South Coast Taipans 3 defeated Raiders Futsal Club 1
South Coast Taipans won 3-1 against a dogged Raiders Futsal Club in their game at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls.
The Taipans have secured the Premiership and Championship double in style marking the end of a long journey to this point. Cody Waller opened the scoring while Matthew Mazevski and Adam Voloder struck either side of half-time.
Raiders Futsal Club were unable to make it back-to-back titles and celebrate Slaven Ljuboja’s birthday in fine fashion. Their only goal came in the 6th minute and it was an own goal which looped into the Taipans net.
South Coast Taipans and Raiders Futsal Club headed onto the pitch at Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls looking to lift the trophy.
The first chance of the game fell to Taipans Golden Boot Matthew Mazevski. He cut inside the defender and fizzed it wide.
The Taipans found the opening goal in the fifth minute. Cody Waller had his initial shot saved by Raiders Futsal Club keeper Ibrahim Daniel but he swept home the rebound for 1-0.
Raiders Futsal Club quickly responded and equalized. It was from a shot which hit the head of a Taipans defender and looped into the net for 1-1.
The action picked up between the two sides. Giovanni Panuccio unfurled a shot for Taipans then Jovan Miladinovic shot wide for Raiders Futsal Club.
Raiders Futsal Club went within inches of taking the lead. Miladinovic snatched the ball, found Luis Ferreira who rattled the post.
Taipans got into their rhythm and piled up some shots. Rick Goodchild went close quickly followed by a powerful effort from Mazevski.
It was another big performance from Raiders Futsal Club keeper Ibrahim Daniel. He produced two quality saves on Taipans shots then Christopher Godoy Bascur blocked one off the line.
Next, it was Raiders Futsal Club’s turn to go close. Both Miladinovic and Ferreira had chances which were denied by Taipans keeper Brandon Groom.
Taipans absorbed the pressure and made it 2-0 before the break. Mazevski found the bottom corner with a precise shot in the 20th minute.
Raiders Futsal Club needed a response in the second half and Tomas Medimurac went close to delivering it before his effort was saved by Groom.
Chances continued to swing between the two sides in a pulsating encounter. Ryan Henderson whistled wide for Raiders Futsal Club then Taipans Logan Mathie had an effort punched away.
South Coast Taipans made it 3-1 in the 31st minute. Adam Voloder found space and arrowed into the bottom corner.
Not content to sit on the lead, Taipans went close to a fourth. Mazevski unleashed a shot which had to be tipped over by Daniel.
Raiders Futsal Club tried to claw their way back into the game using the extra man. Henderson donned the jersey and tried his luck from range several times.
They kept probing for an opening with their passes but each time found a Taipans player in the way and were repelled.
South Coast Taipans had a few chances at the empty net but couldn’t convert. They did see out the rest of the game and won the title.
Post-match an emotional South Coast Taipans coach Bobby Mazevski reflected on the culmination of a ten-year plan for the club:
“I’m emotional right now and the hard work has paid off. The boys set a goal to change things this year and it was the culmination of a ten-year plan. We were deserving winners this season and I couldn’t be prouder of the boys.” Said Mazevski.
MATCH STATS
Sunday 17 December 2023
Sydney Olympic Park Sports Halls
South Coast Taipans 3 (Waller ‘5 Mazevski ’20 Voloder ’32)
Raiders Futsal Club 1 (OG ‘6)
South Coast Taipans: 1. Brandon Groom, 2. Riley Nicholl, 3. Adam Voloder, 5. Matthew Mazevski, 6. Jacob Gjorsevski, 7. Kyle Del, 8. Rick Goodchild, 9. Cody Waller, 10. Logan Mathie, 17. Jyden Harb, 33. Giovanni Panuccio
Yellow cards: Panuccio
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, 25. Javier Morales, 30. Ryan Henderson, 77. Luis Ferreira
Yellow cards: nil
Red cards: nil
By Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
