SELECT Futsal Premier League 2 – Round 12 Open Women’s Preview
Back into the usual grind this weekend, we have four excellent contests to enjoy across Round 12, as the battle for the last two positions in the top four remain up for grabs between 3rd-6th position in the middle of the table.
West City Crusaders vs Sydney Futsal Club, Saturday 8 December, 4:50pm, Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium
Two sides struggling to find form, come together at Hawkesbury Indoor Stadium, as West City Crusaders and Sydney Futsal Club look for a rare victory on Saturday afternoon.
It might be seventh taking on eighth, but the Crusaders have shown on occasions this season, they can hang with some tougher opponents and can springboard themselves into double figures this weekend.
It has been a miserable season for Sydney Futsal Club. They were walloped on their home court against the Crusaders earlier this season, so they will want to avenge that and possibly pick up their second victory of the campaign.
SD Raiders vs Boomerangs FS, Saturday 8 December, 5:20pm, AIS Training Halls
Fifth placed SD Raiders look to spring back into the top four, as they face the tough task of stopping the Premiers-elect Boomerangs FS, Saturday night down in the capital.
Another weekend, another 10 goals scored for Boomerangs FS as they motor on towards the Premiership with a pair of victories against Eagles and Sydney FC. For SD Raiders, they survived a late charge then fell to Raiders FC that has them outside the top four on goal difference.
SD Raiders found their talisman, in Vesna Milivojevic, the youngster has 19 goals thus far this season and if she can keep that form up, they may find themselves back in the top four soon enough. Jessica Grasso has emerged as a superb second option with her pair of goals last weekend as well.
Boomerangs FS have coasted along, undefeated since Round 2, and possess a well-rounded attack, shown in Michaela Day leading their attack with eight goals. Their rounded attack makes them hard to shut down. So Saturday looms as an attacking contest for the audience to enjoy.
Match of the Round: Raiders Futsal Club vs South Coast Taipans, Saturday 8 December, 5:40pm, Thomas Hassell Anglican College
Second takes on fourth in a mouth-watering classic as Raiders FC welcome South Coast Taipans to Thomas Anglican College on Saturday night in a finals preview.
An up and down weekend, saw Taipans sneak back into the top four off their 6-2 result against the Crusaders. Meanwhile, Raiders FC scored 13 in their back-to-back victories which has them right back on track, three clear of third position.
Taipans have been the quiet achievers of the season thus far, sitting third in goals scored and Danielle Wise has been a poacher in front of net, with 15. Against the varied attack of Raiders FC, they will need Wise alongside Elise Battin, Kya Stewart and Danika Matos to fire to turnover the home side.
Raiders FC showed in their second half onslaught last weekend, when they fire it is hard for other sides to go with them. This time, Nicole Ossio popped up with a pair of sensational strikes, as they aim to sweep the season series against a tough Taipans side.
Phoenix Futsal Club vs Sydney City Eagles, Saturday 8 December, 7:40pm, PCYC Hornsby
It is getting close to last chance saloon for Sydney City Eagles, they head to PCYC Hornsby on Saturday, needing to find three points at Phoenix Futsal Club to keep their season alive.
They face a buzz saw in the Phoenix side, who scored 11 goals in their pair of victories that suddenly has them on the tail of Raiders FC in second. The Eagles showed grit in their 5-4 loss on Saturday but were outclassed Sunday 6-1 by Boomerangs FS.
Both of Phoenix’s main weapons were in fine form lst weekend. Hannah Mcnulty and Isabel Gomez combined have combined for 30 goals this season, which has Phoenix on the cusp of the finals and if they can stave off the challenge of the Eagles, who beat them 6-1 in the reverse fixture, finals come into full view.
2018 has been a rollercoaster of a season for Sydney City Eagles. They have shown moments of sparkling brilliance, like their wonderful performance against this weekend’s opponents back in Round 5 but they have failed to string together enough results to mount a serious challenge, but there is still time to turn it around, starting on Saturday afternoon.
By Justin Davies
