The 2014/2015 Football NSW State League futsal competition kicked off in great style on Saturday 11 October. After months of tireless hard work by a team of dedicated Boomerangs volunteers, all nine teams were kitted up in their new strips, well-drilled and motivated to perform against State League stalwarts Sutherland Futsal – a team which has performed consistently well for many years in the NSW futsal leagues.
With the new permanent home of mPowerdome ready for action, the day kicked off with the 12 boys and they lived up to their pre-season promise by totally dominating the travelling Sutherland team. After a slow start to the match, the boys went into the break with a comfortable 4-1 lead. The second half saw their confidence increase and the hard work of trainings paying off as they kicked into overdrive to net another six time to finish 10-2 victors. A tremendous game to start the day with great contributions from every player.
The 13 girls hit the court next, and some last minute withdrawals from the team – notably from the dedicated ‘keeper’ – had a noticeable impact. After matching it during the first half (down 0-1 at half-time) the Sutherland 13 girls powered away in the second; looking strong, organised and outplaying our tiring girls all over the court. This Sutherland team will be one to look out for at the business end of the season. The final score of 0-8 none too flattering for our girls, but they know they can build on that and they did show some glimpses of what they are capable of at times during the match.
The 14 boys were up next and after a tentative start where Sutherland ‘got out of the blocks’ the fastest, our boys kicked themselves into gear during the latter stages of the first half and led as the half-time whistle blew, 3-1. The second half was an evenly balanced affair with the Boomerangs slowly displaying their superiority. A couple of soft goals made the score a bit more flattering for the Sutherland boys as the Boomers 14s took the match 6-3 — never looking likely to lose.
The 15 girls hit the floor next and looked primed for a solid performance — and they delivered. A 2-0 lead at half-time converted into a 6-0 final score, the girls never looked troubled and have quality and depth to burn. This team should perform well this year (how’s that for some pressure…) and we look forward to their terrific, entertaining style of play throughout the season.
The 16 boys up next promised a great showing as the matches increase in intensity and in physicality. Our lads looked strong, but still learning to work well with each other. 0-2 down at half time, they came out wanting to play harder and faster, but the Sutherland team were more than a match. The second half saw our boys score a brace to Sutherland’s three seeing a final score of 2-5. ‘Better for the run’ would be an apt description for the 16 boys, and they should improve with every outing and will be more competitive as the season progresses – as they are a talented and skilful bunch.
17 Girls hit the court at 4.40pm to continue the second half of the day’s play. A much tighter, defensive games than those earlier saw the scores locked at 1-1 at the half-time break. As much as they tried, neither team could add to this scoreline or break the deadlock in the second half, seeing the final score remain 1-1. A tight and skilful match that pitted two evenly matched, if not a bit tentative, teams against each other.
The Youth Men were on the court next and both teams delivered as expected – a fast, furious and physical encounter with no holds barred (as most U19 youth men’s games are!). The Sutherland lads made first inroads by scoring the solitary goal of the first half. As is usually the case in these testosterone-fuelled games, the level of intensity lifted another notch in the second half as the Boomer boys fought back. A second half that saw six goals scored – three goals a piece – had the young Sutherland men take out the match with the narrowest of margins 4-3. A disappointing result for the Boomerangs Youth, who are expected to do well this season as they feature many players with recent F-League experience. However, on this occasion they could not overcome the Jordan Guerrero-led Sutherland. (Jordan is currently a member of the Australian men’s team – the Futsalroos).
The Open Women’s team were up next and played out a fascinating and close match against the Sutherland women. After much (goal-less) end-to-end futsal in the first half, the Sutherland women took advantage of the Boomerangs lapse of concentration in the last ninety seconds of that half slotting in two quick goals in what was a very even contest to that point. The ladies came out in the second half looking to atone for their earlier lapse, but could only manage to match Sutherland by scoring a single goal to match that of Sutherland (final score 1-3). A game that was there for the taking had it not been for the pre-half-time lapse in concentration.
The final match of the day was the Open Men which was always going to be an entertaining fixture. An end to end first half – with plenty of opportunities for both teams – saw the visitors up by a solitary goal 0-1. The Boomerangs must have heeded the Coach’s half-time team talk as they came out firing in the second half. Three goals across the second stanza from some wonderful passing movements and displayed skill ensured that the Sutherland men had little opportunity to win this one. Aside from their goal scoring ability, the men should be congratulated for a solid defensive effort by all players who took the court – including the return of Ryan Keir and the introduction of Tom McLachlan – both on the back of stellar outdoor seasons.
So a day which saw the honours split, four wins each and a draw, blows out the cobwebs and sets up the nine Boomerangs teams for more positive outcomes as the season progresses.
Photos of all the matches on the day can be found HERE.