Semi-Final Review – Futsal Premier League Open Men’s
The stage is set for the conclusion of the Open Men’s Futsal Premier League season after two tense semi-finals took place at The Centre Dural, Saturday afternoon.
Premiers Inner West Futsal Club booked their spot with a victory over Eastern Suburbs Hakoah while Mascot Vipers pipped UTS Northside in the second semi.
Inner West Futsal Club 3-1 Eastern Suburbs Hakoah Futsal Club
Just too strong! Premiers Inner West Futsal Club secured a grand final berth overcoming Eastern Suburbs Hakoah, Saturday afternoon.
After going behind early, they were swift in response before going on to secure a two-goal victory come full time.
It had started well for Eastern Suburbs Hakoah opening the scoring six minutes in, but they would walk away a beaten side after a physical match.
As the scoreboard would suggest, it was Eastern Suburbs Hakoah who controlled a lot of the possession in the opening five minutes. And they would be rewarded with a goal to Jonathan Lynch who opened the scoring on six minutes.
With both sides pressing early, Inner West were then able to equalize through Anthony Haddad a few minutes later.
That goal taking the intensity to another level. Inner West completing the turnaround just before the half through Alexander Nicolosi.
Chasing the game, Eastern Suburbs Hakoah created several chances in the second half, but they were unable to get past a desperate Inner West defense with keeper Domenic Badolato once again getting a mention post-match.
Activating the powerplay late on, Hakoah were to pay the ultimate price with Inner West scoring a sealer with 30 seconds left, Jamal Belkadi with their third for victory.
UTS Northside Futsal Club 2-3 Mascot Vipers
After sealing a victory to put them into the finals last weekend, Mascot Vipers kept the good times rolling with a crucial win over UTS Northside in a close fought contest.
Scoring first after ten minutes, the Vipers were able to keep their opponents at arm’s length throughout the contest with a Yanni Plataniotis goal with ten minutes left the decisive goal.
Ultimately, it was disappointing start for UTS Northside which ended up costing them, they fought valiantly in the second half but couldn’t get it done.
Described as a classic finals fixture, there wasn’t much between the two sides, but the Vipers just did enough to claim victory.
They opened the scoring through Thomas Quilligan just after ten minutes with his 14th goal of the season. A lead which they held to just after the half hour.
Karim Moursi who went on to score as brace scoring the first of two “world class goals” just after then. However that parity would only last for a matter of seconds before the Vipers scored their second of the fixture.
Konstantinos Tsournakakis claiming his sixth goal of the season and the teams second at that point. A lead which would be crucially doubled by Yanni Plataniotis eight minutes after that one to give us the score of 3-1 entering the final minutes.
A lead they were able to hold onto despite Karim Moursi finding his brace with eight minutes to go, one of which including a stop clock.
However the Vipers would be able to hold on and they move on to face Inner West Futsal Club tomorrow.
Quick Grand Final Preview: Inner West Futsal Club v Mascot Vipers; Sunday 18th December, 4:30pm, Valentine Sports Park
Inner West Futsal Club and Mascot Vipers meet in the 2022 Futsal Premier League Open Men’s final tomorrow afternoon.
It’s a meeting between the side who finished top and the competitions form team which is sure to produce a memorable match-up at Valentine Sports Park.
Winning their way into the final after overcoming Eastern Suburbs Hakoah, Inner West will come in slight favourites having won the two past meetings earlier this season.
While Mascot Vipers have only tasted defeat once since round eight, that defeat coming at the hands of Inner West just over a month ago.
It’s set up for a thrilling conclusion so make sure you get out to Valentine Sports Park or catch the stream on NPL.TV with kick off set for around 4:30.
By Justin Smith
