Game Two of the PacificAus Sports Futsal Series 2024 ended in a 6-2 victory for the Futsalroos, after an impressive second half performance saw them come out on top in an exciting match.
Ethan De Melo, Jordan Guerreiro, Shervin Adeli, Daniel Fornito and Ahmed Sweeden were on the scoresheet for the Futsalroos, with Adeli bagging a brace. Raphael Leai scored both goals for Kurukuru.
Leai has impressed throughout the series so far, and also scored Solomon Island’s first international futsal goal in front of home fans in Game One.
He spoke to Football Australia media in the lead up to the match.
“I was really proud of myself,” he said. “I was happy to score for Kurukuru. The first time here we host international friendly match here in Solomon Islands, on our home soil. So I’m happy.
“I was excited and I want to perform more in game two. I want to prove myself to my people and my country.”
Experienced Futsalroo Grant Lynch expressed his hopes for how his side could improve for the second match of the three-game series.
“After reviewing Game One, the team identified that there are a lot of areas of improvement for us, particularly off the ball,” he explained. “[the team is] really looking to try and apply pressure and do a good job of making sure we’re compacting in a position where we can win the ball back.”
Lynch quickly proved his words about applying pressure converted into action. Within the first minute of the game, he managed to outmuscle his defender in Australia’s front third and play a ball through to Ethan De Melo.
De Melo made no mistake, a deflected finish making it two goals in two games for the youngest member of the Futsalroos, and gave his side the early lead.
The Futsalroos were on top for most of the opening phases of play but struggled to capitalise on their momentum. Kurukuru goalkeeper Anthony Talo again had an impressive match, denying the Futsalroos on several occasions.
