Futsal Premier League 2 Open Women’s Semi-Final Review
Our Grand Final is set in the Futsal Premier League 2 Open Women’s competition after two closely fought semi final encounters on Saturday.
It will be first vs second in the decider after SD Raiders Futsal and Sydney Futsal Club won their way through.
Let’s get onto the review.
Semi Final #1: SD Raiders Futsal vs APIA FC Futsal
SD Raiders Futsal were 3-0 winners against APIA FC Futsal at Morris Iemma Indoor SC on Saturday afternoon.
The Premiers booked their spot in the Futsal Premier League 2 Open Women’s Grand Final in comfortable fashion. Layne Knight made it 1-0 in the 16th minute then Ellie-Leigh Lontis and Miriam Zumaya struck in the 29th and 32nd minute for the 3-0 win.
APIA FC Futsal battled hard but couldn’t find a crack in the SD Raiders Futsal defence in this contest. Their best chances in the game fell to attackers Zoe Zaczek and Yumeka Yajima in the defeat.
It was the Premiers who kicked the game off in fast style. Layne Knight was found well with an effort and poked it wide.
APIA FC Futsal had their first chance on the break. Yumeka Yajima cut inside her defender and fired it right at SD Raiders Futsal keeper Elana Topalidis.
Jessica Neville produced a dissecting pass which fell into the path of Knight again but she couldn’t turn it towards goal.
APIA FC Futsal were bringing custodian Paige Cuthill into the action when they could. That left the door open for long range strikes and Neville struck the post.
They looked to break the game open before the break with two chances. Zoe Zaczek had an effort curl wide then Rebecca Watts had a shot.
SD Raiders Futsal made it 1-0 in the 16th minute. Once again, Neville had the ball on the string and found Knight who rolled home.
Following the goal, SD Raiders Futsal were comfortable in possession and took their one-goal lead into the break.
SD Raiders Futsal weren’t content to sit on their lead after half-time. They peppered the APIA FC Futsal goal with long range efforts with Miriam Zumaya hitting the post.
Alessia Dal Pane went close for APIA FC Futsal. She tried her luck from range and whistled it close to goal.
SD Raiders Futsal continued to operate through Zumaya. She found a good position and was denied by Cuthill.
Next, Neville had a pair of chances. She fizzed one wide then forced Cuthill to turn an effort over the bar from a shot.
SD Raiders Futsal made it 2-0 in the 29th minute. It was a wicked free-kick from Ellie-Leigh Lontis which flew into the net.
Quickly, they made it 3-0 from another good attacking move. Knight turned provider in this one putting it on a plate for Zumaya to turn home in the 32nd minute.
APIA FC Futsal went into overdrive to get back in the game. Yajima swerved one wide then Zaczek rattled the post.
They continued to surge forward. Claudia Pickett couldn’t get contact on a dangerous cross from Dal Pane from close range.
Next, Yajima went through one-on-one with Topalidis. She added herself to the list of players who hit the woodwork in the game.
SD Raiders Futsal saw out the remainder of the game and were the first side to book their spot in the Grand Final.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 14 December 2024
Morris Iemma Indoor SC
Referees: Siobhan Gregory, Alana Zic, Owen Ferguson and Henry Benjamin
SD Raiders Futsal 3 (Knight ’16 Lontis ’29 Zumaya ’32)
APIA FC Futsal 0
SD Raiders Futsal: 1. Elana Topalidis, 4. Ellie-Leigh Lontis, 5. Dione King, 6. Jessica Neville, 9. Miriam Zumaya, 39. Isabella Sultan, 43. Layne Knight
Yellow cards: Knight ‘6 Zumaya ’34 King ‘36
Red cards: nil
APIA FC Futsal: 1. Paige Cuthill, 2. Alessia Dal Pane, 4. Zoe Zaczek, 5. Yumeka Yajima, 6. Rebecca Watts, 16. Lexi Modena, 24. Claudia Pickett
Yellow cards: Zaczek ‘33
Red cards: nil
Semi Final #2: Sydney Futsal Club vs Raiders Futsal Club
Sydney Futsal Club won 3-2 against Raiders Futsal Club down at Morris Iemma Indoor SC on Saturday night.
The second place side were made to work for the win despite leading 2-0 after the 24th minute from goals to Mya Callil and Liana Calabro. Naomi Nguyen restored the lead for 3-2 in the 35th minute and they saw out the win.
Raiders Futsal Club almost pulled off a fantastic comeback in the second half but fell short of a Grand Final appearance. Nicole Ossio dragged them back into the game with her brace in the 31st and 32nd minute.
Sydney Futsal Club started the game off quickly, holding much of the possession as they probed for the opener.
Their first chance came in the second minute. Naomi Nguyen had a shot which was saved well by Raiders Futsal Club keeper Jasmine Crouch then it was cleared off the line.
Golden Boot Cynthia Coghlan tried to stamp her mark on the game early. She had another effort which was denied by Crouch.
Raiders Futsal Club started to get into the rhythm of the contest through Nicole Ossio who narrowly missed the net.
Ossio continued to be the fulcrum for Raiders Futsal Club. She had another shot which fired into the side netting.
Coghlan almost produced a spectacular goal from a thunder volley which swiveled past the post.
Sydney Futsal Club kept pushing forward. Ashley Limnos and Abbey Harrison had chances which Crouch was able to swat away.
Both teams weren’t afraid of shooting on sight. Mya Callil had a shot for Sydney Futsal then Amelia Savetta unfurled one for Raiders Futsal Club.
Angelina Powell tried to spark something for Raiders Futsal Club but couldn’t find the net then Rebecca Norman poked straight.
Late in the half, Sydney Futsal Club had two big chances. Nguyen shot straight then Liana Calabro cushioned an effort onto the post as the teams went to the break at 0-0.
The high intensity from both teams continued after the break. Hope Cleur drove an effort low for Raiders then Callil had a shot saved onto the post for Sydney.
Sydney Futsal Club made it 1-0 in the 23rd minute. It was a wonderful lob from Callil which looped over the keeper into the goal.
They made it 2-0 in the 24th minute from a slick move. It was fizzed around the pitch which committed Crouch and allowed Calabro to tap home.
Raiders Futsal Club tried to claw back into the game. Ossio and Cleur both had strong chances then a fantastic challenge from Harrison denied Ossio again.
It was Ossio who pulled a goal back in the 31st minute. She punched a thumping free-kick into the back of the net for 2-1.
Raiders Futsal Club made it 2-2 from the spot after Sydney Futsal conceded five fouls. Ossio stepped up and put it into the bottom corner in the 32nd minute.
Reeling from the equalizer, Sydney Futsal Club had their own set piece. Harrison thundered her effort into the wall.
They did get their bearings back and made it 3-2 in the 35th minute. Callil slipped through a pass for Nguyen to sweep home.
Raiders Futsal Club pushed players forward to grab another equalizer. Their best chance fell to Savetta who hooked it wide.
Coghlan had a few chances late to get herself on the scoresheet but she was denied by strong stops from Crouch.
Sydney Futsal Club finished the game with a 3-2 win and set up a tantilising Grand Final against SD Raiders Futsal.
MATCH STATS
Saturday 14 December 2024
Morris Iemma Indoor SC
Referees: Siobhan Gregory, Alana Zic, Owen Ferguson and Henry Benjamin
Sydney Futsal Club 3 (Callil ’23 Calabro ’24 Nguyen ’35)
Raiders Futsal Club 2 (Ossio ’31 ’32)
Sydney Futsal Club: 1. Natalie Milenkovic, 4. Abbey Harrison, 6. Liana Calabro, 7. Mia Nataly, 8. Cynthia Coghlan, 9. Ashley Limnios, 10. Mya Callil, 15. Neisha Monteleone, 19. Naomi Nguyen, 22. Bailey Buckby, 27. Heba El Saddick,
Yellow cards: Calabro ‘7
Red cards: nil
Raiders Futsal Club: 1. Jasmine Crouch, 2. Nicole Ossio, 3. Amelia Savetta, 5. Keira Addison, 6. Gemma Bartolillo, 7. Hope Cleur, 15. Olivia Burke, 16. Rebecca Norman, 17. Alicia Bartolillo, 32. Angelina Powell
Yellow cards: Savetta ‘35
Red cards: nil
Big thanks to Justin Smith for reporting on both these games
by Justin Davies (@JustDavies90)
