The Boomerangs 12 Boys and Open Men’s teams travelled to All Sorts Indoor Sports Centre on Saturday to each play in semi final matches – the 12 Boys in an elimination semi final (3v4) and the Men in a qualifying semi final (1v2).
The 12 Boys match kicked off the day on Court 2 against a Mountain Majik team with which the boys had split results this season (one win a piece) – and the latest being a 6-2 win over Majik in Round 10.
Coming off a terrific 7-3 win in the final round of the home and away season against fellow finalists Inner West Magic, saw the boys in solid form having only been defeated twice in the back half (seven rounds) of the season. And it showed, they played top quality controlled futsal and at times looked the best they have all season. They defended as though their life depended upon it, and gave the Majik boys very few opportunities in the front half of the court.
Going into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead, after a clinical finish from Zac Barbatano, saw the boys needing only to consolidate for the final 20 minutes and build upon their lead – whilst continuing their solid defensive efforts. This they did, aside from a lapse in a 5 minute period during which the Majik boys were able to slot home a quick fire two goals. Try as they may, the Boomerangs boys could not score a second to at least take the game into over time, and their season ended after just 40 minutes of finals futsal.
A terrific effort from these boys, and whilst they could rightly be disappointed with the result, they should be proud of their achievements for the season – finishing in third place during the regular season, and playing some of their best futsal in their finals appearance. A great effort from a team with some serious futsal talent!
By virtue of finishing in second place on the regular season ladder, the Open Men’s team earnt a spot in the qualifying final against table-topper Dural Warriors. The Boomerangs Men defeated Dural in Round 1 of the season back in October – however since that loss, the Warriors lost only one other game – last weekend in the final round of the regular season, against fellow finalists Campbelltown Quake – in a match where Dural had little to play for and Quake were vying for a top two finish.
For the first 10-15 minutes of the first half, the teams traded blows and played a controlled possession game. A slick goal however to Dural, opened the game right up as they lifted the tempo to another level all together. A further two rapid-fire goals in succession saw the Warriors take a 3-0 lead and significant momentum into the second half. The Boomerangs came out of the half time break showing intent with a tightened defence and more creative offensive intent, but it was another two quick-fire goals in succession that put the knife to the chances of the Boomerangs Men.
With about ten to play, the Boomerangs went fifth man (fly keeper) to try and peg back a goal or two quickly, however – as they often do – fifth man plays can hurt you, and Dural scored another couple of goals whilst the Boomerangs goal was left unprotected.
A disappointing effort from the boys – against a superb and switched on effort by the Warriors – which sees them now needing to win next week in their preliminary final against Campbelltown Quake (a team they have defeated twice this season from their two encounters) – who comfortably defeated Inner West Magic in the elimination semi-final 4-1. A win next weekend against Quake will see a re-match against the Warriors in the Grand Final.
Next weekends finals are to be played at the Ryde Sports and Community Centre with the men scheduled for a 6.15pm kick off.
The Football NSW review of the weekend can be found HERE.