There was semi-final disappointment for five WA teams at the 2024 National Futsal Championships on Monday.
The Gold Fields WA State Futsal Boys U13, U14, U15 and U19 sides, as well as Fremantle in the Open Men’s category, fell at the penultimate hurdle on the Gold Coast.
The Boys U14s’ defeat was particularly stinging after they conceded with just seven seconds on the clock to go down 4-3 to Queensland.
In an end-to-end encounter late in the day, the game looked destined for extra-time following goals from Ahmet Atak, Bastian Dominguez Rubina and Milos Golub, plus a first-half penalty save by Joe Fern. However, Queensland, whose own goalie pulled off countless spectacular saves, snatched it at the death to break the hearts of Anthony Fico’s players.
Earlier, the U14s had beaten South Australia 6-1 in the quarter-finals. Atak, Rubina, Golub, Joshus Canlas (2) and Lucas Low scored.
The WA Boys U13s lost a sensational semi-final against Victoria 10-6 after extra-time. Trailing 5-1 at half-time, WA turned the match on its head to lead 6-5 with Anthony Ciffolilli (2) Dylan Winardi (2), Ricky Hirobe and Nathan Costarella getting the goals. The Vics then made it all square with one minute to go, before pulling away in the extra period.
The Boys U19s went toe-to-toe with a strong NSW Thunder before bowing out 4-2. A slow start saw WA trail 2-0 before goals from Nishan Alagoda and Wim Hairihiru brought them level. At that stage it was anyone’s game, unfortunately for the WA boys it was group winners Thunder who found a way as they went through to the Youth Men’s final.
Capital Football were too strong for the WA Boys U15s in their semi, while Fremantle, who succumbed 2-0 to NSW Thunder, at least claimed the local bragging rights after beating Rockingham Cumbre 4-2 in the last eight.
Elsewhere, the Girls U13s’ exciting run ended at the quarter-final stage at the hands of NSW Lightning, and it was a similar tale for the Boys U12s who were beaten by NSW Country despite a goal from Adam Radi.
Ultimately it was a case of so near, yet so far for WA after starting the day hopeful of at least one grand finalist. But they can leave with heads held high after some excellent performances against the strongest futsal set-ups in the country.