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menuMatchweek 4 Review: Detroit Imperial Destroy Futsal Factory
MATCHWEEK 4 REVIEW:
Detroit Imperial Destroy Futsal Factory
A first-ever home match in the NFPL for Detroit Imperial Futsal against Michigan rivals Futsal Factory Academy resulted in a dominant performance and result, putting Imperial in second place in the standings and condemning Futsal Factory to an 0-2 start to the season.
Numerous goals from Detroit's dynamic duo of Davide Di Poce and Omar Lahbiki were enough to see off the visitors and claim 3 points for Imperial.
Detroit Imperial Futsal 9-4 Futsal Factory Academy
Detroit dominated possession in the opening minutes but fashioned few clear-cut chances until about midway through the first half when Di Poce's excellent first touch put him in behind the FFA defense. As he squared to Lahbiki, a tough tackle set up a direct free kick that Lahbiki buried into the bottom corner for a 1-0 lead.
Cole Russell would tie the game up at 1-all from the penalty spot, but the Detroit response was immediate as they won a free kick at the other end and Lahbiki scored his second of the evening. The third came less than a minute later. A save off the line from Costa Wells prompted a lethal counterattack, ending with Di Poce scoring at the back post on an assist from Abdullah Esaleh to take a 3-1 lead into halftime.
The second half started the same way the first half ended - a nice through ball from Detroit pulled Damron out of his net, and while he got there first his clearance went straight to Dennin Oglecevac to slot home the ball for a 4-1 lead.
Damron stayed busy with a handful of great saves to keep the scoreline close and Futsal Factory would eventually capitalize on some of their pressure, with Drew Ducker finding a nice pass to Marlon De Freitas for a nice low drive into the bottom corner. However, Detroit's response was a minute later and it took the wind from the visitor's sails, stealing the momentum and propelling Detroit toward the win.
Brave goalkeeping from Christian Sipley let loose another devastating counterattack that finished with Lahbiki finding Di Poce alone at the back post for a simple tap-in to go up 5-2. With under 10 to play, Detroit made it 6-2, catching Futsal Factory flat on their feet and slow to close down the space. Di Poce's nicely scooped pass released Wells, who found Lahbiki to finish confidently from close range. Timeout, Futsal Factory.
Futsal Factory began flying the goalkeeper and the pressure did pay dividends, but it was too little, too late. A quick give-and-go between Thomas Dono and Charlie Lacy cut the lead down to 3 goals, and a great save from Sipley kept it that way when things could have started to sour for the home side.
Lahbiki would effectively end their hopes, though, taking the ball a long way before finishing past Futsal Factory's flying goalkeeper. A second goal for Cole Russell from close range kept things somewhat interesting but two late goals from Detroit Imperial would give them a deserved 9-4 scoreline and all 3 points on the night.
A LOOK AT THE TABLE AFTER MATCHWEEK 4:
We started a brand new year with movement in the Midwest and a busy January ahead!
THE NFPL RETURNS...
With 2 games in Matchweek 5! Find the full schedule here.
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