2018-2019 SFL Round 23 wrap-up
Round 23 of the Nike State Futsal League commenced on Friday night with Spearwood Lions FC looking to surprise reigning champions Cockburn EWA FC. And Spearwood certainly started well, taking an early 2-0 lead. Stalwarts Jamal Yusof & Dorian Mardi with the goals. But, Cockburn pegged them back in the latter part of the 1st half to take a 4-2 lead into the break. EWA romped through the 2nd half & maintained their relentless run towards another title with a commanding 7-2 victory, with Jesse Lazzaro scoring his 2nd hat-trick of the season. Lazzaro now has 8 goals in 14 matches this season.
The second match of the evening saw another high scoring affair with Murdoch Warriors FC defeating Perth Longobarda FC 6-5 in a nail-biter. Murdoch started with intensity and took a 3-0 lead into the break. But, an experienced Longobarda kept pegging them back in the 2nd half, scoring late to bring on an exciting finish. An enthralling but heated affair that saw 3 yellow cards, was lit up by the exquisite skills of Massimo Basolu who scored his 3rd hattrick of the season, to take his tally to 20 goals in 21 matches. He is certainly staking a claim for MVP as his goals temporarily took Murdoch into the Top 6 for the first time this season. Basolu was ably assisted by Murdoch’s captain Alex Basto with 2 goals (13 goals in 20 matches). Longobarda captain Remo Capitani led the way for his side with another strong performance and 2 fine goals, to take his season tally to a remarkable 20 goals in 19 games.
The final match of the evening saw another riveting contest between Joondalup ECU Jets and Balga FC end in a rip-roaring 4-4 draw. The honours were shared in a game that kept swinging from end to end. The draw brought Balga’s losing streak to an end & took them off the bottom of the table. They were 5 minutes away from a much needed victory.
Saturday’s matches began with Curtin Footballista FC gaining a much needed 4-1 victory over a spirited South Perth FC. The win was vital & deserved win was necessary to take Footballista back into the Top 6 following on from the previous night’s results. Recent recruit Colm White starred for Curtin with a brace of goals, taking him to 3 goals in only 3 matches since his debut for the club. He looks like an impressive acquisition. South Perth’s gutsy performance troubled Footballista all afternoon. But they lacked the experience to gain a result. Their young squad are improving with every match. Expect them to be stronger next season with all of those games under their belt.
Stirling Braza Ginga thundered back into form with a resounding 8-2 victory over a determined Perth AFC. That score-line looked unlikely after AFC took an early 1-0 lead and then led 2-1 half-way through the first half, with former Stirling mainstay Oscar Pit scoring twice. Pit now has an imposing 11 goals in only 7 matches since his recent move to AFC. But, that is where AFC’s luck ran out & Braza turned on their Ginga, with new signing Fernando De Paula scoring twice in his first SFL match for the club, and 17 year old Connor Crews also scoring a brace, his birthday gift to the club. Crews now has an impressive 6 goals in 9 SFL appearances this season.
The pick of the matches was also the final match of the round, with Rockingham Cambio Cumbre FC defeating Fremantle FC 4-2. Two sides with 8 SFL titles between them put on a strong showing that was full of intensity & high pressing futsal. Neither side allowed the other to settle, but Cumbre were always on top. Bakr Al-Qaraghuli starred for Cumbre with a brace, to take his season tally to 10 goals in 18 matches. With both sides fielding several players from their youth academies, it was a match that was full of energy, speed, passion & quality goals.
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