February 7 and the Youth Men players, families and supporters once again headed up the Hume Highway for the regular three and a half hour drive to get to their futsal match. During the season, these drives can become tedious, but not in February when the finals’ series comes alive and teams are playing for a spot in the ultimate match of the season – the Grand Final.
The Boomerangs headed into the FNSW State League finals with three teams represented. Week One saw the 15 Girls eliminated in a closely fought one goal nail-biter and the Open Women qualify directly to the Grand Final with a single goal win over Sutherland.
The Youth Men – on that first finals weekend – went down in a penalty shootout after regular and extra time could not separate the two teams. This then meant the Youth Men needed to qualify via the longer path, and had the match up with Mt Druitt as part of that journey.
Youth Men
Boomerangs FS 3 – Mt Druitt Town Rangers 2
After last week’s nail-biter which went to extra time and then penalties, the Boomers Youth were looking for a much easier, and hopefully less stressful match this Preliminary Final. Mt Druitt had qualified by defeating Sydney City Eagles – also via a penalty shootout after the two teams were locked at 2-2 at full-time and 4-4 at the end of extra time.
Mt Druitt ended the regular season in fourth place with an 8 win 4 loss record and the worst defensive record in the top half of the competition – although they scored the third most goals of all teams. The Boomers on the other hand conceded the least goals of all teams in the competition and had the second best attacking record.
The aim therefore was to defend resolutely hoping to nullify the Mt Druitt strength, and to run the regular offense which has proven to be so successful this season.
The first half went according to plan with the Boomer boys working quite comfortably – defending well – and managing to score two neat goals, although many opportunities in front of the goals were not converted.
The second half was also going to script – but with more wastefulness in front of goal. At around the six minute to play mark, the Mt Druitt boys scored a well set up goal which lifted their energy and intensity levels. A two goal buffer is comfortable, but a single goal – not so. The Boomerangs lads also lifted in intensity and managed to net again soon after bringing back the two-goal buffer (3-1). However, with a few minutes left to play, the Town Rangers scored a soft goal and it was ‘game on’ again at 3-2.
The Boomerangs Youth though showed experience and maturity in the final few minutes to hold out their resurgent opposition, and as the final whistle blew, the lads had booked their place in the Grand Final.
Nicholas Rathjen (1), Chris Smith (1) and Michael Rinaudo (1).
NEXT WEEK sees the Grand Finals of the competition with the Boomerangs represented by the Youth Men and the Open Women. Both teams, coincidentally, up against the same club – Sutherland – and the same team they played in the first round of the finals series.
Can the Women continue their 12-game unbeaten streak? Can they overcome the Sutherland Women who took it to them hard last week? All will be revealed from 4pm Saturday 14 February.
And the Youth Men – Another match up against Sutherland Youth (3pm next Saturday) – a team that they have yet to defeat in two encounters this season (a one goal loss in Rnd 1, and the penalty decided semi-final).