FUTSAL WA

R14 – Men’s Supa-Liga, 2021/22 Summer Season

Featured Match Review

The Men’s feature match of the weekend was the long awaited top of the table clash. Perth Pumas FC and Northern Hawks SC came into this match in first and second respectively. The Pumas started with a narrow one point advantage. However, Hawks would come into this match full of confidence with them boasting the best goal difference in the league. Pumas and the Hawks were both missing a few key players, but there was more than enough cover for both sides to still boast strong and full squads.

The Hawks were comfortable in letting the Pumas keep possession from the first whistle, feeling out how they would play. The Pumas on the other hand were keen to get on the front foot, and decided to press the Hawks as soon as they regained the ball. The hard press gave the Hawks a few good opportunities to start off with but it was the Pumas that scored the first goal.  Rama Elliot delivered a powerful shot with his weaker left foot from a kick-in to give the Pumas the lead after 6 minutes of play.

Two young stars, Jehel and Al-Shebani contesting a ball

Five minutes following the opening goal, the Hawks were give a contentious penalty decision. Elliot deemed to have fouled Al-Shebani inside the 6 metre zone for an illegal sliding challenge. Chez Houston stepped up to score the Hawks equalizer. Perth Pumas thought they gained the lead with 2 minutes left in the half. Amar Jehel poking it home before it was disallowed for a hand-ball in the build up to the goal. Pumas were feeling hard done by going into the half time break, but both sides seemed content to reset for the second half.

5 Minutes into the second half it was the Hawks that were feeling rather unfortunate. A direct free kick from Punselie squeezed through the legs of Formato in goals and slowly trickled towards the goal line. Without VAR it was up to the referee to decide that the ball had crossed the line, giving the Pumas the lead. Northern Hawks recovered almost immediately following their kick off. Devon Rindel showing good skill and pace on the flank before crossing it in to Al-Shebani’s run at the back post for him to tap in the equalizer.

The two sides then battled it out for the remainder of the match, trading tactics and blows but unable to breakthrough, they settled for the 2-2 draw. The draw keeps their placings unchanged on the ladder and with 3 games remaining for both sides, it was the Pumas that would have felt more content with the result. In other league news, Andinxs FC were comfortably beaten by the West Coast Cobras 11-2. Futsal Factory suffered a 2-6 defeat at the hands of Condors FC. ECU Jets finally found their goal scoring form to match their formidable defence and put aside Scarborough Sharks 6-0.