Players, Parents, supporters, families and friends welcome to my first foray in my column for the new season.

For the new players and parents to the club this is my chance to talk primarily Magic and at times other topics all of course futsal related.

Firstly welcome to the Club, hopefully everyone has had an enjoyable start to the new season and to the new magicians a warm welcome to their new surroundings.

We’ve had a busy opening to the season and what an outstanding turn out for our clubs season launch. On behalf of all of the committee we would like to thank everyone for supporting the clubs launch night.

As I’m sure everyone is aware by now the Preseason 5STAR tournament enhanced our ever expanding trophy cabinet with a win in the final round to seal the preseason cup by 6 points. It was a fantastic day and a great result, especially considering how depleted our 16g and Womens sides were due to their outdoor grandfinal commitments.

Our last official preseason hit out against the Enfield Rovers followed and the form of most of our sides leading into round 1 was most encouraging, losing only one game throughout the day. A big thanks to the hospitality shown by the Rovers throughout the day.

Cometh the 27th of September and the Round one blockbuster dubbed the “Clash of the Titans” was upon us. Round 1 pitted us against a club where our rivalry runs deep more because of the mutual respect the clubs have for one another, the Campelltown City Quake.

Having played the Quake club in the 5STAR cup week earlier we knew we were going to be in for a tough day. The Academy side was a fantastic game to start of the day with both young squads proving to all in attendance that the sport has some brilliant young players to hold the fort for many years to come. Gatsby Gray and Jonathan Dimopolous were superb in their Magic debuts. Such was the teams quality many of these young boys will be turned to throughout this season for the clubs under 12s have there be a need. Well done lads on a great start.
In what was the debut of our exciting young u/12s side under the leadership of Roberto Maiorana and Olly Momrecevski the young Magicians took the lead just before half time through a deadly strike by Ryan Henderson, before Quake equalized through Aidan Holmes and even before I could announce Quake had equalized our young magicians hit back almost immediately via a Daniel Paino strike. Leo Malfara sealed the victory and got the club its first 3 points of the new season. In what was a great game by two good sides congrats to both teams on an entertaining game.

Score Magic 2 Quake 1
Scorers:
Magic: Ryan Henderson, Daniel Paino Leo Malfara x1
Quake: Aidan Holmes.

The 14s saw competition heavyweight Quake make good use of their status led by star Patrick Antelmi. Our boys toiled hard but were trailing by 5-0 at half time. The pleasing thing about a disappointing result was the much better effort in the second half which saw our boys in an improved effort win the second half. Unfortunately the boys were defeated in their first competitive outing but much better results should come soon enough.

Score Magic 1 Quake 5
Scorers:
Magic: Florim Binakaj
Quake: P. Antelmi 2, J. Mc Ging 1, M. Vuckovic 1, D. Nelson 1.

Our 13 Girls were next up, and with an improved side on last year the team was hopeful of getting of to a good start under the watchful eye of coaches Mick Bergin and Rose Scarlato. The girls took the lead through Captain courageous Alysee Tasevski after a good hard fought start by both clubs. Georgia Klapos then took the game by the horns and knocked in 2 goals to seal the victory for our youngest Magicians. A good hard fought game by both sides.

Score Magic 3 Quake 1
Scorers:
Magic: Georgia Klapos 2, Alysse Tasevski 1.
Quake: Kaila Blayney 1.

Our 16 Boys were hoping to continue their vain of hot form which had seen them score a massive amount of goals in preseason performances. Even with superstar George Khoury only playing a total of 30 seconds our boys were just too strong and with Anthony Poniris in brilliant form it was always going to be tough for Quake to challenge this great side. Quake aren’t as bad as the score line suggests but our boys were brilliant to watch in their opening competition game. Unfortunately injury has already come to roost with 5 players missing for our next game verse competition favourites Sydney City.
Score Magic 8 Quake 1
Scorers:
Magic: Anthony Poniris 4, David Talevski 2, David Han 2.
Quake: Joshua Curtin 1.

In what was a change to normal proceedings and as part of the days special feel of celebrating futsal the Senior Mens game which included 7 past or current Futsalroos was the next game to be played. In front of well over 300 people in a packed centre the game well and truly lived up to its billing of “Clash of the Titans”. The Champions of the past 2 seasons went head to head like 2 heavy weights right from the start.

Both teams gathered with the clubs u/12s from opposing sides and walked proudly to centre court with the tune of the FIFA anthem in the background. Led by officials Gavin Lee and FIFA referee Chris Colley and the FIFA Fair Play Flag both sides played tough but to the spirit of the flag and the sport. And it was the side from Campelltown that took the early lead after only 4 minutes via the famous A corner which saw 2 of Quakes Futsalroos, Simon Keith combine with Dean Lockhart to open the scoring.

Magic fought hard and led by new signing Andrew Nolan and Marino Musumeci we fought back to get the equalizer via star Musumeci who found the back of the net through the tightest of angles to get the game back to level pegging. Without up to 4 squad members Magic began to take the games ascendency and had it not been for a splendid game by Quake keeper Jon Azzopardi, Magic could’ve taken a lead into halftime. In fact both goal keepers were brilliant all day saving numerous goal scoring oppotunities each.

It was with 2 minutes to go that ex Magician Heber Carvalho scored the goal which ultimately proved to be the winner for Campelltown and sent the Purple supporters into raptures. Magic didn’t stop trying and had 2 glorious chances to equalize but once again Azzopardi was the man who stood tallest with 2 sensational saves most notably from Musumeci with only seconds remaining on the clock to secure his side a famous victory.

It was a game which was fitting to the day and to the crowd that was on hand. Both sides were greeted warmly by the big crowd on hand and deservedly so.

Score Magic 1 Quake 2
Scorers:
Magic: Musumeci 1
Quake: Lockhart 1, Carvalho 1.

The u/16 girls clash was another game which went down to the wire. Our multi talented side missing young guns Allysha Lo Giudice and Helen Petinos went behind early but it was only a matter of time before the girls began to play to somewhere near their potential. We went ahead with 2 goals in a row but then made a mistake and the Quake girls were back equal.

With 5 minutes to go we once again went ahead but again another mistake led to Quake equalizing for the second time and ending with 2 points. In a game where the 3 points should’ve been sewn up much earlier our girls will have learnt plenty from this opening game. Overall a decent result first up with much bigger things expected from this talented side come seasons send.

Score Magic 3-3 Quake
Scorers:
Magic: Samantha Bergin, Natasha Lo Giudice, Jenna Kingsley x1
Quake: Linda Dudek x2, Zoeie Redman 1.

The Youth Mens fixture between our two clubs has a history of being tough, physical but above all flamboyant and hard fought. Our two clubs have been the leaders in this age group for many years with Quake the defending Champions for the past 2 seasons and going by this game this season shouldn’t be much off the pace. Even thought he scoreline suggests a hammering our boys were well within striking distance until the last 10 minutes where a red card proved to be the momentum swing.

Quake went ahead 2-0 with former Magician superstar Ediz Alpkaya one of the early goal scorers but we fought back with Scotty Madden pulling one back after some brilliant lead up work by the brilliant Albert Crocco and Anthony Musumeci. We had some great chances and had it not been for some poor finishing, unlucky bounces and some great saves from the Quake keeper we could’ve actually taken something from the game, but full credit to Quake whos quality shone and took a deserved 3 points.

Score Magic 1 – 5 Quake
Scorers:
Magic: Scott Madden x1
Quake; Ediz Alpkaya, Daniel Fulton, Emmanuel Harihiru, Mark Kurlapski Chis Sheerin x1

The final clash of the day was Open Womens and was between the Winter Leagues Champions, Magic vs the Premiers Quake and it was the Magicians who pulled out all the tricks to start the season of with a brilliant and resounding 5-0 victory.

Superstar and last seasons M.V.P Natalie Spirovski is in career best form and was absolutely sensational laying on goals for youngsters Natasha Lo Giudice and the always improving and very good Sophie Svinos whilst adding 2 of her own. New signing Clare Tyson was also very good in her debut as was Kahlee Doyle whilst both keepers were also excellent when called upon. Overall a sensational performance in round 1 by our girls and with Rose Scarlato still to return the looks are looking very good early.

Score Magic 5-0 Quake
Scorers:
Magic: Natalie Spirovski, Natasha Lo Giudice x2, Sophie Svinos x1
Overall in what would be a record crowd for the current setup of the Premier League we had almost 800 people in attendance over the entire day and between 300 and 400 people for the Celebrity game and Mens clashes.

On behalf of the Sydney Magic PCYC club I would like to thank opponents on the day Campelltown City Quake in making the day such a success especially Mark and Diane Davis and the Martinez’s Angela and Carlos for their help over the months to help organize an event of this magnitude. Thanks also Vic Azzopardi and the entire Campbelltown Quake Committee for their help and support on the day.

I’d also like to thank the sponsors of the day Mr Peter Musumeci of Fresh Point for the amazing platters supplied throughout the day, the Marrickville Café for the food supplied and the remaining sponsors Il Espresso, ABI Group, Tuscany Restaurant, United Tools and Raine and Horne Belfield for their contribution in making the event possible. 5STAR Futsal for sponsoring and supplying the gear for the Celebrity game was also greatly appreciated.

To distinguished guests Mr Jamie and Graham Warren of the Johnny Warren Foundation as well as Mr Darryl Clout, the Minister of Sport and Recreation and Carlo Lo Giudice also of the Johnny Warren Foundation. Mr Chris Gardiner C.E.O of PCYC, Ms Rachel Povey and the other PCYC representatives, Misters Les Mc Laren, Frank Rossi and Tim Genzo of the FNSW standing committee, Mr Les Murray and Ms Mariana Rudan of SBS for coming to cover the event, to the ex Futsalroos who were displayed on show for many young futsal players to see for the first time Misters Adam Confoy, Jamie Amendolia, Jason Lancer, Simon Aitchison, Shiska Filipovic, Erkin Osman, Zlatko Momrisevski, Darren Smith, Joe Naven, Paul Lombardo, Dario Torrisi and Con Tsokos.

Thanks to the four clubs that represented their local association with distinction and played some quality football, being Marrickville Red Devils, APIA Leichhardt Tigers, Hurstville Spirit and Campelltown United and who also helped as ball boys throughout the day, it was greatly appreciated that all four clubs gave up their time and supported the cause.

To the many people in attendance that gave us the great numbers and the fantastic atmosphere and to all the people that made a contribution to the Johnny Warren Foundation it was all greatly appreciated.

And finally to the Magic committee Craig, Val, Ross, Kristin and Carlo and especially Carmine Bortone and Jamie Amendolia on the time and effort they put in setting up and helping organize the day wouldn’t have been what it was without your help.

Thank you everyone on making this a great day for Futsal.

And remember shoot and you will score, pass you will win, listen and you will learn.

-Matteo Maiorana

Source : Sydney Magic PCYC
Published : 4/10/2008

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1. Sydney Magic PCYC Presentation Night (NSW) – Updated
2. NSW Futsal Presentation Night – Sydney Magic Report (NSW)
3. Sydney Magic Game Highlights and DVDs (NSW)