Mac-Hak side makes history

FOR the first time in Maccabi-Hakoah’s history, a junior futsal team has been crowned NSW Super League champions.

The under-12 team defeated Phoenix Futsal Club in a penalty shoot-out after a hotly contested and nail-biting match on Saturday.

The scores were level 2-2 at full-time and then 3-3 at the end of extra-time before Maccabi-Hakoah won the penalty shoot-out 4-3 in dramatic fashion.

The Jewish team, which finished the season in third place and had taken the long route to the final by downing Futsal Club Barcelona in the minor semifinal and Mountain Majik in the preliminary final, started the game strongly with a fiery shot to the crossbar.

Minutes later their efforts were rewarded with the opening goal of the match.

But they would never lead for long during the match.

Maccabi-Hakoah’s goalkeeper parried a shot back into the path of an waiting Phoenix player and the scores were level.

Tal Weiner restored Maccabi-Hakoah’s lead when he disposed of a Phoenix defender and ran around the keeper to score, but once again Phoenix hit back and the game was sent into extra time.

Phoenix then took the lead for the first time during the second period of extra time, but Maccabi-Hakoah equalised within 30
seconds.

It took 10 spot kicks to decide the winner, but the Jewish side finally claimed the championship after a gripping contest.

JOSHUA LEVI

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