Brisbane February 2017 Competition

Seven players turned up to compete in what was supposed to be a 37 Degree furnace, to be pleasantly surprised, it was only 36.
We decided to play a round robin with the top 4 going into semis and a final.
The first round saw last month’s finalists Rik and Gus  go head to head in a drab 0-0 draw, neither keeper  really called into action. Giuseppe fresh back from Sydney took on his nemesis Andy Ridgen, and Andy finished the better winning 3-1. The other game was a victory to Gareth 2-0 over our youngest member James .
Round 2 saw our Sydney FISTF warriors Rik and Giuseppe (Pino) go head to head with Rik emerging victorious 2-1. Derek the Seagull beat James 3-0 and an interesting encounter between Gareth and Gus, where Gareth parked the bus for literally ¾ of the game before conceding a goal and then losing 3-0, Gus was relieved.
Round 3 saw a very tough match between a solid Rik and a pumped Andy end 1-1 with Andy taking the lead. Giuseppe very surprisingly lost 1-0 to Gareth who introduced a very interesting victory dance to all. Derek gave Gus a tough time, and again last month’s champion had to be very patient before breaking through to eventually win 2-0. Derek’s play is certainly improving fast.
Round 4 went in order of the favourites, Andy beating a spirited James 4-2, Rik took apart Gareth who wanted to see Rik at his best, he got what he asked for. Giuseppe beat Derek but only a goal to nil.
Round 5 ended with a 5-1 win to Andy over Gareth, James lost to his Dad 3-0 but got some great tips along the way (which went in one ear and out the other, who listens to Dad ?) and Rik saw off Derek 3-1
Round 6 had a couple of hard fought games. Gareth beating the Seagulls of Derek 3-1 which would eventually see him make the semis, and a great game between the two Sunshine Coasters Andy and Gus finish 1-0 to Gus after a very swift and deadly finish. Giuseppe beat James 4-0 who by this stage wanted to eat his own arm (those of you with boys will appreciate this).
The last round finished with Andy securing 3rd spot beating Derek 3-0, Rik rested some of his best players and beat James 3-2 whilst the crunch match of Giuseppe and Gus saw Gus win 2-0 finishing the league top with no goals conceded and condemning Giuseppe to 5th place, the first time ever not to make the semis. Unfortunately, Gareth who finished 4th had to go home so Gus got  a bye to the final.
The Semi.
Rik vs Andy. Andy was pumped, this was going to be his day, Rik is Australia’s #2 Brisbane’s new #1 – he was not going to be defeated. A very fast and tough game ensued, Andy had been composed all day, sweeping all but Gus to victory or a draw with his new found calm efficiency. Game plan out the window, Andy was going too hard, and found himself  2-0 down. He did however mange a blazing goal back, to go into half time 2-1.  Andy’s half time cup of tea failed to calm him down and his over eagerness to get back cost him dearly as the lethal Rik fired 3 well flicked goals past him to end the game 5-1.
The Final. Gus had not conceded a goal all day, but the only opponent he failed to beat was Rik. Rik also had not lost a game all day, so it was a fitting match up for the final. The first half saw few chances as the two players locked horns and were desperate not to give anything away. However just before the whistle of half time, Gus gave away a ‘back’ which the referee adjudged to be in the shooting area giving Rik a great opportunity which he did not waste. 40 seconds later it was half time. As much as Gus huffed and puffed Rik had the answer, and more.  Rik piling on so much pressure that Gus gave another ‘ back’  to Rik in the shooting area, which the “Narangba Assassin “ despatched with aplomb to make it 2-0. Gus then went all out in desperation to claw himself back into the game, however, there was only to be one winner, Rik found his way through and dealt the killer blow 3-0. So Gus’s chance of the treble ended at the hands of Rik, who is a worthy champion, not only with his skill and cunning, but the great sportsmanlke way he plays the game.
Another great competition with great games and great goals shared amongst friends. We can’t wait for the next one in March.

(Report by Brisbane SC)