Courtesy: NSW Football


Late goal seals Youth title for Benfica

Sydney Benfica FC 3 Dural Warriors 2
A dramatic late winner in the dying seconds from Hussein Akil gave Sydney Benfica the Youth Super League title in a thrilling 3-2 victory over Dural Warrirors.

Benfica had the majority of the opening possession with their defenders finding space and going close from long range.

Dural opened the scoring when a Benfica counter attack broke down; Daniel Codrington won the challenge for the ball ran forward rounded a defender and smashed the ball into the top corner for a terrific goal.

Codrington nearly doubled Durals advantage when his shot struck a post and away to safety.

Benfica almost levelled the game when Patrick Ascaro slipped a ball to Hussein Akil whose shot was partially blocked by keeper Alastair Bruce but his shot trickled under his body toward the goal line but was cleared by the Dural defence.

The pace was frenetic as the game swung from end to end with both keepers Alastair Bruce and Wayne Estevao making vital saves for their team.

Benfica were desperate to level the game but Durals defence was strong and this led to increasingly rash efforts on goal from Benfica to no avail with Dural going to the break 1-0 in front.

Benfica equalised shortly into the second half when a corner was rolled all the way back to the halfway line for the Benfica keeper to crack a low hard drive into the bottom corner to level the game 1-1.

Benfica grabbed a 2-1 lead when they were awarded a freekick outside the area. The ball struck the wall but it fell eventually to Hussein Akil who drilled a long range shot into the net.

All the pressure now came from Dural who peppered shots on the Benfica goal in search of an equaliser. Benfica were trying to stem the Warriors pressure and by hitting hard on the break had a few chances to increase their lead themselves.

With time running out for Dural and their goal attempts becoming increasingly wide of the mark Dural won a disputed freekick. Sam Bingham stepped up with less than a minute to go and slammed the ball home to level the game at 2-2.

With the game expected to go to overtime with only moments left on the clock a late Benfica shot hit the post and rebounded to Akil to sweep the ball into the net to send the Benfica contingent into rapture.

The late strike was a huge disappointment for Dural who played brilliantly all game in a contest that could have gone either way.

But there was absolute joy for the pacy and skilful Sydney Benfica who can now add the 2009 Super League Youth title to their collection.

Match Details

Sydney Benfica FC
1. Costa Chronopoulos, 2. Ruben Caetano, 3. Kane Edwards, 4. Jason Camara, 5. Kevin Oliveira, 6. Mark Pinto, 7. Patrick Ascaro, 8. Rocci Gabey, 9. Hussein Akil, 10. Ali Bazzi,11. Milton Ferreira, 20. Wayne Estevao.

Goals: Hussein Akil x2, Wayne Estevao

Yellow Cards: Kane Edwards, Patrick Ascaro


Dural Warriors
1. Alaistair Bruce, 9. Daniel Codrington, 4. Nick Donovan, 3. Navid Noory, 6. Michael Thornton, 12. Ryan Johnstone, 19. Blake Rosier, 16. Nathan Niski, 11. Sam Bingham, 10. Josh Codrington

Goals: Daniel Codrington, Sam Bingham

Yellow Cards: Michael Thornton


Men’s - Dural Warriors v Sydney Benfica FC
This Round 2 for the day against the mighty Dural Warriors. Both teams had their supporters and the scene was set for an almighty cliffhanger. Benfica came out of the blocks and before you knew it they were ahead 4-0. The chanting was on, the drums were blaring as a subdued Dural look on. Benfica’s keeper Joshua Da Palma managed to save a penalty. Everything was going to plan. Half time had arrived.
Whatever Dural’s coach Rob Varela had said, it worked. Dural came out and after 5 minutes the score was reduced to 4-1. Benfica’s men could not buy a goal. Dural continued and scored again. The Dural crowd erupted as they sensed an almighty comeback. Funnily enough was that, every time Dural scored, the louder the Benfica crowd chanted.

The mighty Dural Warriors were on a roll, the stadium was electric and before you knew it the score was 4-3, with 6 minutes to go. Benfica were on 5 fouls. Play resumed after a time out and within a couple of minutes Husky Akil fired Benfica to a 5-3 lead. Dural’s fourth goal came straight after. Final score Benfica 5 Dural 4.








Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com