Recap

The third installment of Round 11 Series Futsal action, saw this season’s high achievers in Ashburton, take on cellar dwellers Metropolitan. Ashburton have started life back in the top flight very well,sitting in fourth, while Metro have been anything but their best, with one win from 10 games. Amir Behroozi opened the scoring for Ashburton with his effort finding the bottom corner from just inside the area. New signing Selim Karanfil, then leveled things up with a well taken finish from the right side of the area. A wonder strike from range from Samim Mehjerdi put Ashburton back in front, before a Mehran Shafiei free kick doubled their advantage, as Ashburton went into the break with a 3-1 lead.

The second half saw a complete turn around from Metro as they picked themselves up and turned the game around. Salih Sefil struck from range into the bottom corner to have his side within one after a exrtended period of pressure from Metro. Alija Redzepovic was then on hand to put away a loose ball that had rebounded off the post to have Metro back on level terms. Two clinical strikes from Karanfil saw him wrap up his hatrick and put Metro two goals to the good, as the Series Futsal veterans could sense a rare win on the cards. Some good work from Mehjerdi down the left saw him eventually cut the ball back to Shafiei for a tap in, before Shafiei wrapped up his hatrick less than a minute later from close range. With less than two minutes remaining and the scores level it would require something special to win the game for either side, and Dino Redzepovic would provide just that, as he ripped home a stunning free kick into the top left corner. But the drama wasn’t finished, as less than 20 seconds later Ashburton were level again as Mehran Shafiei somehow squeezed home an effort though Bicer in the Metro goal. With less than a 30 seconds remaining both teams were frantically trying to find something to win the game. As if it was meant to be, Alija Redzepovic, the man who is always in the right place at the right time, was found on marked on the edge of the area, and he calmly slotted his shot into the bottom right corner. A massive upset and a huge win for Metropolitan, as they will hope this kick starts their campaign to stay in the top flight.

Man of the Match: Alija Redzepovic (Metropolitan FC)