Ballstars deal to The A Team Sunday night at the MAC gym delivered some thoroughly entertaining futsal and some of the closest matches witnessed all season. It was Wanaka Futsal Cup night and the pressure was on. Four teams headed into the evening harbouring a dream of making it through the WFC final – namely The Academy, Brazilian Ballstars, Cape Horn Kings and the A Team. There was silverware at stake. The evening’s action commenced with The Academy against the Cape Horn Kings. Two weeks ago the Kings had sprung the surprise of the season when they beat The Academy in their league encounter, but tonight the specter of that horror show was put well behind young players from the Academy as they delivered a dominant 9-2 score line over the subdued South Americans. The Academy, whose hopes of winning the league look over at least have a shot at Cup glory. The other semi-final was always destined to be a classic match and had been highly anticipated since the draw was made. The A Team and the Brazilian Ballstars share equal points at the top of the league table although it is the A Team that maintains the bragging rights as they hold a significant goal difference advantage. Adding to the intense rivalry, when the two sides met in the league competition earlier in the season, the game resulted in bruising two all draw representing the only time these sides have dropped any points. The game started at a hundred miles an hour and it was the A Team who looked most comfortable at pace. In fact they shot away to a 3-0 lead and seemed to be about to prove who was the best once and for all. However, as the game went on and things became (just) slightly more settled, the Ballstars became more organised and before midway through the second half, the scores were level. The game was played in a sporting manner but every tackle was solid and counted, and every run made was with urgency and speed. With a few minutes on the clock the Ballstars finally got their noses in front but only for seconds as the A Team equalised in quick response. It was 4 a-piece. Then with just 50 seconds or so, left on the clock the Ballstars put another one into the A Team net. Understandably it was a chaotic finish to a monster engagement but despite a late flurry of attempts in end it was the Ballstars who had done enough to book a ticket to the Cup Final on September 15 whilst with dreams of a Cup/League double shattered, The A Team will take on the Kings in the Bowl Final (3rd and 4th place play off). Another team that finally had rights to celebrate was The Misfits who earlier in the evening had made history by winning their first game in several years of competition. Victory came following a ding dong battle with Ordinary Joes. The final score line of 7-6 indicated what a terrific match this was. The two sides meet again next week in the league and this could dictate who gets the wooden spoon. It will no doubt be a game to savour. The Misfits as result of their win will play WPC in the Plate Final (5th and 6th place play off). WPC also endured a titanic battle against the unlucky Your Mums Athletic, eventually squeaking home in a confrontational game, 4 goals to 3. YMA will play Ordinary Joes for The Egg Cup Final (7th and 8th place play off). Next week its back to League action, the penultimate round of fixtures. Kick off times are: 6.10pm The Academy v The A Team 6.45pm The Misfits v Ordinary Joes 7.20pm WPC v Cape Horn Kings 7.55pm Brazilian Ballstars v Your Mums Athletic
Posted on: Sun, 25 Aug 2013 21:05:28 +0000
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