Round 4 Wrap up | 2020-2021 Macron SFL WA

Another breathtaking round of futsal that brought us several highly entertaining matches, 50 goals in 7 matches, and countless contenders for goal of the week, including goal of the season!

Perth AFC 7 – 5 Canning Ultra Tigers FC

Round 4 opened with a captivating end-to-end encounter between two sides chasing their first points of the season. AFC boasting a near full strength line up for the first time this season started well, scoring early via the ever-present Nathan Thorp. An improving Canning responded quickly with Tarek Atta scoring the equaliser. Late 1st half goals from Stefan Thomsen, Taka Kawakami and Thorp’s 2nd gave AFC the narrowest of half-time leads. History had suggested a high scoring game, and the goals continued in the 2nd half with the enigmatic Andrija Jukic opening his account in his first start this season. Kawakami responded with his 2nd of the game, only for Ivan Palermo and Jukic’s 2nd to increase the margin to 3 goals midway through the half. Atta scored his 2nd & 3rd to complete his first hattrick for The Ultra Tigers, whilst Palermo got his 2nd of the night in a 12-goal-thriller. Credit to both teams, who battled hard for the points & to AFC for coming out on top.

Joondalup ECU Jets 5 – 3 Curtin Footbalista FC

Yet another encounter between 2 sides looking to kickstart their new seasons ended with Joondalup overcoming a gallant Curtin. A cagey first half saw Footbalista miss several chances & ECU punishing them late on with 2 goals on the counter-attack from the impressive Jonathan Bouhlas. An early 2nd half goal from Jimmy Fung gave The Jets a commanding lead, only for Omar Twalah to respond from a freekick for Curtin. Paul Grant & Luke Palmateer extended Joondalup’s lead, as Footbalista fought back late on with Twalah’s 2nd and Hazrat Akhlaqi to end an entertaining encounter with ECU’s first win of the season.

Byford Venom FC 3 – 3 Murdoch Warriors FC

The fast improving Byford gained their first point of the new season as they surprised Murdoch, who dropped their first points of the season, in a compelling encounter. The Warriors started well, taking an early lead via Aaron Abreu. An early 2nd half goal from the charismatic Massimo Basolu extended Murdoch’s lead and that is how it stayed until the 33rd minute of the match when The Venom started their fight back. Two quickfire goals from Johan Van Den Dolder brought the house down as the crowd & Murdoch faithful were left stunned. Basolu scored in the final minute to restore The Warriors’ lead, only for Vaughan Audrain to score in the final seconds of the match to restore parity & bring adulation to his young team in only their 2nd season in the SFL.

Cockburn EWA FC 3 – 2 Fremantle FC

A contender for match-of-the-round between 2 of the Top 6 finalists from last season, ended with Cockburn edging Fremantle by the odd goal in five. Cockburn started well with the magnetic Mark Gavranic scoring a cracking left footed drive into the top corner. Fremantle responded shortly after with a fine finish from SFL MVP Danilo Neves. Midway through the 1st half it was Aden Da Luz’ turn to score a screamer to restore EWA’s lead, only for Fremantle goalkeeper to equalise once again with a thunderbolt from the halfway line to restore parity. With the game evenly balanced in the 2nd half, and both sides going for the win, it took an extraordinary clearance-strike from the impressive Alex Gamble to settle this encounter: Gamble shot/cleared from the edge of his D, catching the fast retreating Del Rosso off his line for one of the most astonishing goals of the season. The victory takes Cockburn to 9 points, equal with Fremantle who dropped their first points of the season.

Stirling Braza Ginga FC 2 – 5 South Perth FC

In another enthralling Saturday encounter, an under-strength Stirling suffered their 3rd loss in 4 starts against the emerging South Perth. South Perth started well with an early goal from pivot Filip Rojnica settling head coach Roberto Boi’s nerves. Braza did well to stay in the match at the halfway mark as their academy players, anchored by captain Pavel Parihuzic & player-coach Victor Brauner performed well. Early 2nd half goals from Rojnica (his 2nd) and academy product James Thoth appeared to open the floodgates for South Perth, only for Stirling to respond with a back-post tap-in from pivot Fahed Kassis. New recruit Daniel Muzzarelli restored the 3 goal advantage, but, yet again, Braza responded via the charismatic Brauner. Stirling played 5th man in an attempt to gain something out of this match, but found Brad Kneebone in imperious form. Kneebone had the last word in this match blasting a shot from distance into the open goal as South Perth maintained their perfect to the new season.

Balga FC 3 – 5 Rockingham Cambio Cumbre FC

Yet another intriguing encounter, with a resurgent Balga falling just short against the irrepressible Rockingham. Cumbre took control of this match in the first half with goals from former SFL MVPs Tyler Garner and Nestor Fonseca giving them a comfortable half-time lead. Balga thundered back into the match with 2nd half goals from Conor O’Driscoll and Eraste Vyamungu to balance the ledger. Fonseca restored Rockingham’s lead, but, once again Balga responded with a goal from Gideon Servatius, in his first start of the new season. Late strikes from pivot Faris Noor Rani and Fonseca for his hattrick made sure that Cumbre maintained their perfect start to the season and their spot at the top of the table.

Perth Lions Futsal Academy 1 – 3 Perth Longobarda FC

The final match of round 4 saw Longobarda retain their impressive record against The Lions. The Lions started well, taking a narrow 1st half lead via impressive new recruit Ali Milhem. Quickfire 2nd half goals from Graziano Lucisano (a double) and Kevin Gallo turned the match around for Longobarda and they managed to keep The Lions at bay for the remainder of the match with a solid defensive display. Jeevan Krishnan impressed in his first start to the new season as Longobarda moved to 4th on the ladder and The Lions dropped to 7th.