The 2018 FNSW Futsal Cup draw had both Boomerangs senior men’s and women’s teams scheduled to take on Raiders Futsal in the Round of 16 on 23 October 2018.
Raiders v Boomerangs FS Women
The women’s match kicked off proceedings at 7 pm with a close to full-strength women’s team heading up the Hume Highway late Tuesday afternoon. After their weekend league result (9-1 victory) over Sydney City Eagles fresh on their mind, the ladies were chock-full of confidence. The earlier clash between Boomerangs and Raiders in Round 1 of the PL2 competition saw the Boomerangs prevail 3-1.
The Raiders though thought nothing of the form guide and hit the court full of vigour and determination. The match was evenly-poised a minute from half-time at one goal apiece, however, two quick goals before the break swung the momentum back in Raiders favour.
The second half saw a tremendous defensive effort by the Raiders, and the Boomerangs sharp-shooters, could not get their on-goal shots to press the back of the goal netting. A single goal to the Raiders the only second half score. The Raiders progress to the quarter-finals, while the Boomers women are eliminated.
Raiders v Boomerangs FS Men
The second match of the evening saw the Boomerangs men up against a solid Raiders outfit that kept them to a drawn match in Round 1 of the FNSW PL2 season. The Raiders, whilst regularly a strong defensive unit, have struggled at the offensive end this season, managing only four goals from their four outings to kick off their PL2 season.
The Boomers men, on the other hand, have had little difficulty finding the opposition’s net, but since their 9-2 drubbing of Taipans in Round 3, have struggled with a draw away to Sydney Futsal and a loss in their first home match of the season against Sydney City Eagles last weekend.
The Boomerangs started the stronger of the two teams and had better of the possession – even though it was a fast-paced end-to-end first half. Successful attempts on goal by Wilsener and Basser had the Boomerangs up 2-0 at the break.
Expecting a more resilient Raiders in the second stanza, the Boomers lifted a notch and increased their defensive rating, which provided them with turnover opportunities – and again – increased possession. Regular goals kept them on top in the match, with a second to Basser and two goals to Nic Dahl capping off the night with a 5-0 result that keeps the Boomers in the competition.
The Boomerangs men progress to the quarter-finals and will take on the winner of the Round of 16 match between Dural Warriors and Eastern Suburbs Hakoah on November 14.
[UPDATE: Dural Warriors will be the Boomerangs men’s opponent after they defeated Hakoah]
