Players and coaches from the six Capital Futsal League competing teams united for an evening of Futsal entertainment at MPowerdome in Fadden playing the annual Futsal Charity Shield in aid of Capital Football’s chosen Charity, Sock it to Sarcoma.
The charity was chosen once more as it resonates close to the hearts of the Canberra football community due to the tragic impact it had on Capital Football and Futsal referee Cameron Shelton who sadly lost his battle with Sarcoma last year.
Playing in Capital Football representative kits of Blue and Gold, the nominated players, with participants from all six CFL teams involved, were drafted into two teams via a pre-match selection process where the nominated coaches picked player-for-player in a blind draw.
Two very evenly matched outfits were picked, and a large and appreciative crowd watched on as a selection of the best Futsal players in our region took to the court with teammates playing against teammates in a unique, and entertaining concept.
Even given the fact that many of the players would never have played together before, the talent shone brightly with slick and incisive moves emanating throughout two keenly-fought fixtures where skills, flair, and the want to entertain were at the forefront of the thoughts of all involved.
The Women’s fixture, which started proceedings, went right to the wire as CFL All-Stars Gold came from 2-1 down to win the Shield in dramatic fashion in the closing stages.
After a goalless opening half, in which Gold goalkeeper Maja Dodt of Queanbeyan-Palerang Power was in sensational form, making several outstanding stops, whilst Ellie Summers at the other end was equally unbeatable, the deadlock was broken early in the second stanza.
CFL Women’s Golden Boot winner Brittany Palombi fittingly was on target, blasting home in typically trademark fashion with a blistering left-foot drive, only for West Canberra Lightning teammate Jennifer Bisset to level within seconds with a stunning solo goal.
After Amy McLachlan had put the Blue team in front it was left to UC Stars Jada Lamond to steal the show. Lamond found herself in the right place at the right time twice in the final minute, finishing superbly both times, to give Gold a narrow 3-2 success.
The Men’s match therefore had much to live up to, and it fitted the billing perfectly, as the Gold team defeated the Blue side 7-4 in a match littered with excellent finishes, and wonderful creative moments.
Bailey Dickinson scored twice for the Gold, both times set up by his clubmate Max Trushell, whilst Golden Boot winner Jayde James-Ward went one better, snatching a Charity Shield hat-trick, a brace in the final minute rounding out that feat.
The goal of the evening belonged to Blue star Nathen Megic who struck a thunderous effort from range, before joining match commentator Russ Gibbs for a chat about the goal live on air. It was that kind of evening.
RESULTS
WOMEN
CFL All-Stars Blue (0) 2 (Palombi 22’, McLachlan 34’)
CFL All-Stars Gold (0) 3 (Bisset 23’, Lamond 39’, 39’)
MEN
CFL All-Stars Blue (1) 4 (Trushell 20’ (og), Megic 22’, Basser-Silk 34’, Manalo 38’)
CFL All-Stars Gold (3) 7 (James-Ward 6’, 39’, 39’, Dickinson 19’, 19’, Blount 26’, Ciminelli 30’)
The Capital Football Charity Shield is supported by Capital Football, BarTV Sports, Deploy Footballs, Capital Trophies, Liquor Legends, and St. John Ambulance Australia with all money raised donated to Capital Football’s chosen Charity, Sock it to Sarcoma.
Special thanks to Elie Darwich, Scott Boon, Nathen Megic and Angelo Konstantinou for expert comments during the live broadcast, Ground Announcer Chris Conti, Justin Kampowski on camera, our match officials, Sal Giovinazzo for photography, Jeff Ward and AFA for organising the use of the fabulous MPowerdome, the Capital Football staff, and the production crew at BarTV Sports.
