Round 9 Wrap Up | 2019 2020 Macron SFL WA

After 6 weeks of the lead changing hands at the top of the table, the jinx ended this week with table topping Stirling securing a tight victory over Longobarda. Indeed, all of the Top 6 sides completed Round 9 with victories, and not even the label of “Upset Saturday” could muster a surprise result.

Murdoch Warriors FC 5 – 3 Canning Ultra Tigers FC

Friday night lights at the Pro Futsal Centre, and Round 9 of the Macron State Futsal League opened with 2nd placed Murdoch taking on Canning. With Murdoch in red hot form & sporting a solid roster for this encounter, they were expected to secure a comfortable victory. But, Canning made it tough all the way, at one point coming back from 2-0 down to level at 2-2. The Warriors eventually took out the win, with Joel Di Toro scoring twice, from exquisite Lucas Mello assists. Mello also on the scoreboard, along with Justin Pearce. Niko Burns impressed for The Ultra Tigers with a brace, with Shaz Ramlee also on the scoresheet. Special mention to Canning goalkeeper Trong Do who was in outstanding form & saved a penalty from Justin Tang. Tang’s goal drought continuing despite several attempts in front of goal. The victory kept Murdoch in 2nd spot, just 1 point off the summit.

Perth Longobarda FC 2 – 3 Stirling Braza Ginga FC

The match-of-the-round featured 7th placed Longobarda taking on table-topping Stirling. Longobarda came into the match in good form. They were looking to cause an upset, as they took a 2-1 lead into the half-time break with the impressive Alex Kretowicz scoring midway through the first half. Connor Crews responded for Braza, only for Cristiano Dos Santos to restore the lead for Longobarda heading into half-time. With Stirling fielding one of their most experienced squads of the season, including the return of Thiago Mesquita & Glen Sheldon, it was down to teenagers Connor Crews & Fahed Kassis to complete the victory in the 2nd half. An intense match with lots of freekicks ended on a knife-edge as Longobarda chased the match-tying goal. The win cemented Braza’s hold onto top spot, with Longobarda remaining in 7th, alas now 4 points adrift of the Top 6.

Perth AFC 3 – 4 Rockingham Cambio Cumbre FC

An intriguing and highly anticipated encounter with 9th placed AFC falling just short against 3rd placed Rockingham. Successive wins had lifted AFC within reach of the Top 6. But, Cumbre proved a step too far, flying out of the blocks to take a 2-0 early in the 1st half. Captain Chandra Nagendran impressed with a brace of goals. Faris Noor Rani continued his goalscoring spree, with academy product Kylan Watson also contributing in the 2nd half. Nathan Thorp enthralled the AFC faithful with a hattrick, his final 2 goals bringing his side within a whisker of sharing the points. With their undefeated start to the campaign remaining intact, Cambio Cumbre can look forward to an amiable run of fixtures into the Christmas break that should see them remain unbeaten by the time they return to the league in early January to take on Stirling & Cockburn in successive weeks.

Spearwood Lions FC 1 – 5 South Perth FC

An absorbing encounter opened Saturday’s run of fixtures in the Macron State Futsal League, with South Perth extending their unbeaten run to 6 matches with a victory over a spirited Spearwood. Despite excelling in goals for The Lions, Blake Webb was flawless under a barrage of attacks plotted by the excellent Roberto Armellini & finished off by the deadly Filip Rojnica, with 2 exquisite assists providing a 2-0 early lead. The Lions responded with a goal from spearhead Jamal Yusof to narrow the gap by half-time. Goals from Roberto Boi, Josh Ban & Ivan Palermo late in the 2nd half secured the win for a confident South Perth side who are now firmly in finals contention. Having cemented their 5th placed position on the table, they are now a comfortable 6 points ahead of Longobarda in 7th.

Joondalup ECU Jets 4 – 1 Byford Venom FC

Joondalup took on Byford in a thrilling & fast paced encounter with both sides in desperate need of the points. ECU have turned their season around with some impressive recent results, and continued with a controversial victory over The Venom. Leading 1-0 late in the 1st half, courtesy of an excellent finish from Jonathan Hill, The Jets received a free kick for a perceived challenge off the ball. The outstanding Luke Palmateer scored from the ensuing set play & Joondalup went into the half-time break with a 2-0 match-defining lead. Palmateer scored again early in the 2nd half, with the impressive Brodie Stevens replying in fine fashion for Byford. Goalkeeper Alex Donev rounded off the scoring for ECU with an audacious shot from distance in the final seconds to secure their 2nd victory of the season which helped them climb to 11th on the ladder.

Balga FC 2 – 4 Cockburn EWA FC

A highly anticipated encounter between 2 sides that love to entertain. And entertain they did, with end-to-end action & both keepers excelling. Jesse Lazzaro opened the scoring for Cockburn in the 5th minute. Deklan Burdle followed suit in the 6th minute to give EWA a commanding lead. An own-goal just before half time made it 3-0. Adam Mangion reduced the deficit half-way through the 2nd half, only for Lazzaro to score with a daring lob from distance with Balga chasing the game whilst playing with a fly keeper. Balga’s President Matt Dudek had the last say of match with a terrific goal from outside the D. Alas, it was not enough as the team suffered their 4th loss in a row. With EWA rediscovering their scoring touch in recent weeks, this weekend’s mouth-watering encounter with Stirling may prove to be a contender for match-of-the-season.

Fremantle FC 2 – 1 Curtin Footbalista FC

The final match of Round 9 of the Macron State Futsal League saw a full-strength Fremantle scrape past a Curtin side missing several 1st team starters. Fremantle started with purpose & drive, but forgot their scoring boots at home. They should have been comfortably ahead up by the time they took the lead in the 11 minute via Diego Florenca. Another academy product Benji Mikhael doubled the lead early in the 2nd half with an impressive strike from outside the D. Footbalista fought back & created some chances. A goal from Farzam Mehrabi with 8 minutes remaining in the match set up a grand stand finish. The victory extended Fremantle’s unbeaten run to 5 matches, and the gap over 7th placed Longobarda to 4 points. They meet South Perth in Round 10, an encounter that several followers of the SFL will be looking forward to.