2017 State League Championship – Round 1
Brimbank Futsal Club 4-5 Ashburton Futsal Club
BRIM: A.Hanifi 2, M.Rozaie 1 & Q.Hanifi 1
ASH – A.Rostami 2, I.Hani 1 & A.Behroozi 1
The opening game of the 2017 State League season saw Brimbank take on freshly relegated Ashburton. In a tense start to the game Brimbank edged the first half leading 2-1 with not much to split the two sides.
Ashburton opened up the second half the stronger of the two sides racing back into the contest and jumping out to a 5-2 lead. Complacency then set it as Brimbank got two goals back and peppered the Ashburton goal in the dying stages but could not find an equaliser as Ashburton began their rout back to Series Futsal Victoria on the right track, while Brimbank can hold their heads high and will take many positives going forward.
Man of the match: Arash Rostami (Ashburton FC)
2017 State League Championship – Round 1
Mcleod Futsal Club 4-6 Mickleham Futsal Club
MCL – J.Munoz 3 & B.Oussayfi 1
MICK – M.Petrovic 3, A.Donjerkovic 1 & S.Tapia 1
The opening game of the season for State League stalwarts Mcleod & Mickleham saw the two sides looking to get their campaigns off to the best possible start. In a tightly contested first half Mickleham jumped out to a 4-2 lead going into half time on the back of a brace from Mario Petrovic.
Mickleham controlled most of the second half despite a few counter attacks from Mcleod, but it would not be enough as Mickleham started their season on a high with a hard fought 6-4 win.
Man of the match – Mario Petrovic (Mickleham FC)
2017 State League Championship – Round 1
Collingwood Futsal Club 7-3 Moreland Futsal Club
COLL – T.Sadler 4, C.Holmes 2 & A.Meibusch 1
MOR – A.Cooper 2 & M.Vragovski 1
In what was built up as one of the biggest games in State League history, it was our first look at the new look Galacticos Moreland side who were heavy title favourites going into the season after acquiring Adam Cooper, Matthew Vragovski & Miguel Barrigos in the post season transfer window. Collingwood was under new management and had a fresh look about it. The club taken over by club legend Cameron Holmes built for a fiery round one clash.
It was Moreland who struck first striking within the first 10 seconds of the game through Matthew Vragovski. Collingwood would not lie down though as Alex Meibusch hit back squeezing the ball under Stavros Varigos to equalise. A lovely bit of play between Vragovski and Cooper saw the latter put away his first goal in Moreland colours to restore the advantage. Collingwood then struck back again through a stunning strike by Tremayn Sadler put Collingwood on terms again. Sadler then replicated his effort to give Collingwood the lead, before Cameron Holmes was gifted the easiest of finishes to give Collingwood a 4-2 lead going into half time.
A slow start to the second half by both sides did not last long as Cooper received the ball on the right flank before converting to have Moreland back within a goal. Sadler then burst away in a 2 v 1 situation finding the bottom corner to complete his hat trick. Sadler would then grab a fourth goal of the game before Holmes converted late on to give Collingwood a huge victory which kick starts their season in the best possible fashion, while Moreland will be left to ponder what went wrong. Could we see more signings from Moreland during the final stages of the transfer window? Time will tell.
Man of the match – Tremayn Sadler (FC Collingwood)
2017 State League Championship – Round 1
Hampton Street Futsal Club 3-4 Monash Futsal Club
HAM – D.Grecea 2 & A.Sahiti 1
MON – D.Langdale 2, S.Carr 1 & H.Nguyen 1
The final game of the night saw newly promoted Hampton take on a new look Monash side eager to impress. A close first half saw Monash jump out to a 3-1 lead thanks to a double from new signing Daniel Langdale had Monash in the drivers seat.
Hampton drew first blood in the second half through a tap in from a corner from Adnan Sahiti to have them right back in the contest. An unlucky handball against Daniel Grecea gave Monash a break as Seamus Carr converted the penalty to give his side some breathing space. Grecea then had a strike from distance which took a deflection on its way in to give Hampton hope. But it was not to be as Monash hung on for a big three points in the opening round of the season.
Man of the match – Harry Kitharidis (Monash FC)
