Round Two from Futsal Oz – Goals, Goal Keepers and Goals missed!

FC Essendon 9 vs 5 Doncaster FC 6:30pm

On a warm balmy night in Melbourne the wounded champions took on the newcomers Doncaster FC. Both sides were looking to register there first 3 points of the season. Essendon started brightly with 3 goals of the highest quality from Ivan Zilic and Alexander Stevanovic. Doncaster were persistent and looked good in spells and responded swiftly.

Essendon always had a three goal buffer and looked the goods in the second half, the champions fired up after last week’s loss. Doncaster were never too far away, determination will serve them well in the V-League. 9-5 was a fair result, Alexander and his troops have scored there first 3 points and can look forward to next week, a do or die battle with Ashburton. Doncaster needs to be tighter at the back and more clinical up front, they have formidable task against front runners and favourites Fitzroy FC.

Referees: Nectar Karalis & Ricardo Arajuo

Goal Scorers:
Essendon: Alexander Stevanovic 5, Ivan Zilic 2, Igor Stevanovic 1 & Ivan Stevanovic 1
Doncaster: Jerry Rombotis 2, Chris Vlahos 1, Luke Kounnas 1, Zaya Younan 1

FC Prahran 11 vs 5 Pascoe Vale FC 7:15pm

A tit for tat opening with a goal to Pascoe Vale’s star player Chris Vithoulkas and then Prahran’s cup saviour Haider Noor scored. Pascoe Vale started with a quick tempo and smooth movement. They really lacked the cutting edge of a clinical number nine. Pascoe Vale were also missing new recruit Steve Sasic who was out ill. Prahran superstar Maxim Avram started quietly but began the second half with a bang. He took the game by the scruff of the neck.

He was instrumental in demoralizing Pascoe Vale with a variety of lethal left foot strikes. The injured talisman was back at his best and in real contention for a spot in the Victorian Men’s Futsal team. Pascoe Vale need to go back to the drawing board and work out a winning formula, they have an energetic Melbourne Uni next week. Prahran add 3 points to the tally and take on a revitalised Albert Park.

Referees: Nectar Karalis & Anthony Grima

Goal Scorers:
FC Prahran: Maxim Avram 5, Haider Noor 3, Ben Armstrong 2, Michael Habashi 1
Pascoe Vale: Chris Vithoulkas 3, Serar Isa 1, Daya Ahmed 1

Melbourne University FC 0 vs 3 Metropolitan FC 8:00pm

A tale of five goalkeepers, Metropolitan keeper Brendan Chen was away holidaying in Byron bay, Melbourne University’s superstar goalkeeper Tom Wang injured in the Men’s state trials the Saturday prior. Joseph U the Melbourne University Mr Versatile did a stellar job in between the sticks for the royal blue outfit. Meanwhile the replacement Metropolitan goalkeeper Maysam Zani was only on the field for 5 minutes before a Duke Duva strike injured his index finger horribly.

In stepped Metropolitans Mr Versatile Ahmed Muktar who did a terrific job of stopping shots and delivery. Eren Ozdemir who had moved across from Ashburton scored two for a Metropolitan side donning there beautiful new sky blue LEGEA kits. Mustapha Alor went in goals for metropolitan in the second half and between him and Ahmed they had amazingly kept a clean sheet! Metro played well in spells but need to be more lethal in front of goal. Melbourne University need to recruit well immediately and not be so dependant on Duke Duva if they are to avoid the drop this season.

Referees: Anthony Grima & Ricardo Arajuo

Goal Scorers
Metropolitan: Eren Ozdemir 2, Ahmed Muktar 1
Melbourne University: Nil

FC Carlton 3 vs 4 Albert Park FC 8:45pm

FC Carlton entered the stadium casually greeting friend and foe and left bitterly disappointed after being beaten by a resilient Albert Park side. Albert Park welcomed debutant Dino Redzepovic one of the finest Futsal players in the state. Carlton started the game sluggishly and did not look there usual selves. Hooman was off-colour and missed numerous goal scoring opportunities, but that was due to the terrific efforts of Ned Torbica in the Albert Park goal.

Both sides played with one on the bench and dropped off late in the second half. Additions to both sides will be required to challenge the top four Fitzroy, North Melbourne, Ashburton & Essendon. Minja Savic looks to be a valuable pick up for Albert Park and they take on a strong Prahran side next week. Carlton take on a wounded Geelong.

Referees: Ricardo Arajuo & Nectar Karalis

Goal Scorers:
FC Carlton: Hooman Shekari 2, Majed Alipour 1
Albert Park FC: Minja Savic 2, Zoran Matic 1, Milos Nikaljevic 1

Ashburton FC 7 vs 2 FC Geelong 9:30pm

The pre-game hype was that this one was going to be a tight affair. Geelong, winning promotion and beating V-League regulars Albert Park had there tails up. Ashburton, coached by the Victorian Men’s team boss Paul Vidic looked lively. Both sides had no less then 4 players on the bench and they both meant business. Ashburton opened the scoring and never looked back.

Geelong played catch up from the start, the energetic youth of Ashburton ran the hoops ragged and it wasn’t long after halftime when Irzad Spijodic rifled a shot into the top corner and Asovski danced with the Geelong defence adding goals 5 and 6. Geelong need to find there feet and a style that suits them. Ashburton take on champions Essendon after winning two from two.

Referees: Ricardo Arajuo & Anthony Grima

Goal Scorers:
Ashburton: Irzad Spijodic 3, Igor Asovski 2, Junior Melo 2
FC Geelong: Gareth Demink 1, Michael Radojevic 1 

Fitzroy FC 8 vs 4 North Melbourne FC 10:15pm

The fixture definitely saved the best for last, the mouth watering clash between the two super Futsal clubs; both sides fought out a 4-4 thriller the last time they played, both sides have had major overhauls since then but produced an even better game. Arguably Victoria’s best Futsal player the mercurial James Blackburn produced the goods early with some fine left foot finishing.

Fitzroy raced to a 4 goal lead early, but North Melbourne began to peg there way back into the contest and played some breathtaking Futsal to draw level early in the second half. At 4-4 the game was in the balance and while North Melbourne tired they fought bravely. Both sides only had one on the bench between them but Fitzroy finished the stronger.

Young starlet Dimitri Vithoulkas linked well with James and between them they had a goal each to pull away to 6-4 before Leonardo sealed the deal with a left foot strike. Kui Mu was tricky & left Fitzroy defender Manny Karis mesmerised. North Melbourne missed Fernando De Moraes who was away on football duties. North Melbourne take on a Metropolitan side playing a ‘Joga Bonito’ style, Fitzroy battle a Doncaster side that have had a wrenching ‘Welcome to the V-League’

Referees: Anthony Grima & Nectar Karalis

Goal Scorers:
Fitzroy FC: James Blackburn 3, Dimitri Vithoulkas 2, Manny Karis 2, Leonardo Correa 1
North Melbourne FC: Nick Alevropoulos 3, Heip Tran 1

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