Sydney Futsal Club took on minor premiers Sutherland Shire Futsal in what turned out to be an absolute thriller. Sydney and Sutherland literally went blow for blow from beginning to end.

The first half began with Sutherland peppering the Sydney goal, only for Sydney to come back hard placing the shire club under immense pressure. The futsal being displayed was excellent and the hits were astronomical. Jessica Beale succumbed to a ferocious and legal tackle by Maniso Micheal and shortly after that the half ended. Sydney had finished the better, yet the scores were locked at nil all.

Sutherland Shire came out in the second half and within the first two minutes almost opened the scoring. Five minutes in and Sutherland’s supporters erupted as the Shire club hit the lead. This was an absolute dog fight and Sydney came back hard almost scoring in three successive attempts.

With 10 minutes and 43 seconds to go, Sydney called for a time out as Mauro Tacca called in his troops for one more rally. Sydney’s crowd were doing their best as the chanting, drums and screams continued.

The futsal displayed was unbelievable as Sutherland searched for the knockout punch and Sydney pushed even harder for the equaliser. With six minutes to go, Sydney’s Maniso Micheal turned and shot, sending the ball into the Shire’s goal and their crowd into ruptures.

The final six minutes were all Sydney as they drove for the winner. Full time had arrived with the scores locked at 1 all. The faces of both teams, showed despair and exhaustion.

The crowd had swelled and extra time was just an extension of what had taken place, which resulted in missed chances, for both clubs. In the final seconds of extra time the Shire had almost pinched it. This fantastic match would now be decided on penalties.

Sydney had missed their first, with the Shire missing their second. They went blow for blow and with Shire leading 6-5 on penalties, Sydney failed to convert bringing to an end, a marvellous game.

Sutherland Shire go on to meet Phoenix Futsal in the final, whilst Sydney Futsal Club women’s bow out with their heads held high, knowing there were on the brink of something special.