Maccabi win NZ National Futsal League
Sydney’s Maccabi Hakoah Futsal has won NZ National Futsal League.
Kissing the trophy
Maccabi took a commanding lead into series 3 of the NZ National Futsal League and knew only two wins would assure them of a well deserved premiership.
The opening game in series 3 didn’t go quite to plan as Maccabi let a two goal lead slip to draw with a much improved Futsal South side that equalized in the dying minutes to give them hope of finishing fourth.
Maccabi then took on Red Sox who were also in a battle for a semi final berth. Maccabi were not about to let this game slip and cruised to a 6-2 victory, with coach Steven Knight resting a number of key players.
Maccabi then took on major rivals for the title Capital City Futsal and this was an end to end affair with both sides creating a number of chances. Maccabi were pushed all the way and the result was sweetened by the way of securing the minor premiership at the full time whistle.
Maccabi then took on Christchurch Futsal who played every game in the league despite the recent earthquakes and they were a credit to the city of Christchurch with the way they played in series 3. Maccabi ran out victors 7-0 and it was another chance for coach Steven Knight to rest a number of key players.
Maccabi’s last group game was against East City Futsal the host of series 3 and what a thriller to end the last of the group games the game finished 3-2 but both sides could have easily taken the spoils in this entertaining game of Futsal.
Maccabi then entered the Finals series where they took on Red Sox and what too turned out to be a game of clinical finishing. Maccabi opened the scoring on 4 minutes when a deflected Jordan Mundell effort found its way into the back of the net. Maccabi extended the lead 2 minutes later when Denny Dutra’s sublime chest and volley cannoned into the back of the net giving the Red Sox keeper no chance. Maccabi then when about keeping possession as they were in full control of the game and just on half time Jarrod Basger popped up at the back post to make it 3-0 going into the break. Red Sox came out of the break with everything to play for and would have opened there account if it hadn’t been for a wonderful double save by John Myers in the Maccabi goal. Nic Fisher then nearly scored one of the goals of the National League when his strike from just inside the Red Sox half thumped into the underside of the bar and appeared to cross the goal line but was waved away by the referee’s and the score remained 3-0. Maccabi finished the scoring when Sam Benda shot from the edge of the “D” found its way into the bottom corner of the net to make it 4-0.
Maccabi took on Capital City Futsal in the Final after their late goal in the other semi final knocked out East City. The final started slowly with Maccabi sitting on half court and allowing Capital City to have time on the ball which played into Capital City Futsal Lucas Silva hands. Despite the large amounts of possession Captial City only called on John Myers to make two saves in the half and Maccabi could have easily taken the lead when Denny Dutra’s two through balls found Basger and Fisher but both could not get past Capital City shot stopper David Plowright. The second half was a different story with Maccabi Starting five of John Myers, Simon Keith, Doron Pozniak, Jordan Mundell and Jarrod Basger started with full court pressure. This pressure payed off for Maccabi in 24th minute when Reginaldo Richard was court in possession and Mundell pounced on and placed his shot between Plowright’s legs to give Maccabi the lead. With ten minutes left on the clock Mundell’s strike partner Jarrod Basger gave Maccabi a commanding lead when his effort from a tight angle beat Plowright on the near post. Maccabi’s experience defence of Keith and Pozniak kept it safe at the back and ensured Maccabi ran out winners of the inaugural NZ Football Futsal National League.
