Richard Darko hits 5 as Commodores sail into the Final

Richie Darko Scores for Commodores

Panos Armenakis tries to lay a pass past Richie Darko

Benfica shoot

FCB Commodores 9 def. Sydney Benfica 2

 

The Commodores 12 Boys sent a clear message to remaining sides in the competition that they are team to beat as they brushed aside a spirited Benfica 9-2 in the major semi final

Commodores opened the scoring when keeper Sam Bortolazzo quickly released a long throw down court to an unmarked Richard Darko who slipped the ball past the keeper.

Benfica levelled the score when a shot from the byline struck the post, rebounded into play and Michael Trajkovski was on hand to drill the ball into the net to make it 1-1.

Hyuga Tanner put the Commodores back in front when Benfica keeper James McNicol palmed a shot away and Hyuga was on hand to sweep the ball into the net.

Michael Trajkovski almost scored again but his shot from the right side hit the post and away to safety.

Goalscorer Richard Darko turned goal provider when he dispossessed a Benfica player mid-court and found Adrian Hadjisocratous who smashed the ball into the top corner for a great goal to make it 3-1.

Darko scored his second when another long throw found the striker unmarked he then took on the keeper and eventually slotted the home to make it 4-1.

The Commodores made it 5-1 when Mark Rizoski ran down the right side then found Richard Darko who completed his hat-trick when he blasted the ball into the top corner.

Benfica had another shot hit the woodwork this time from Dimitri Krideras

Into the second half and Benfica almost pulled a goal back but Trajkovski’s shot hit the crossbar.

Benfica needed to score first but it wasn’t to be as the Commodores extended their lead when Darko turned the ball back inside for Mark Rizoski to slot the ball home.

Rizoski almost scored again when his shot hit the inside corner of the crossbar and post and rebounded into the arms of keeper James McNicol.

The Commodores went further ahead when Rizoski found space upfront and passed the ball inside for Darko to drill the ball home from outside the area.

Benfica hit the woodwork for the third time when Stephen Athanaseras shot struck the crossbar.

Benfica grabbed a deserved second goal when Panos Armenakis found Petros Xenos who slotted the ball neatly past the keeper.

In the dying moments of the game Richard Darko scored his fifth goal when hit the ball across the keeper to seal a 9-2 victory for the Commodores.

The scoreline did not do justice to Benfica who put in a spirited effort and had a host of chances but in the end they could not match a talented and rampant Commodores who will deservedly take their place in the Grand Final.

Teams  

FCB Commodores                                                        Sydney Benfica

1. Samuel Bortolazzo                                                     1. James McNicol

5. Dylan Vella                                                                2. Daniel Bavcangiovski

14. Michael Loupis                                                        3. Petros Xenos

7. Richard Darko                                                           4. Leonardo Malfara

16. Mark Rizoski                                                            6. Dimitri Krideras

6. Charlie Ingle                                                              7. Michael Trajkovski

8. Hyuga Tanner                                                            9. Steve Kuzmanovski

4. Adrian Hadjisocratous                                                10. Panos Armenakis

                                                                                    12. Christian Jovanovski

                                                                                    30. Lupo Jovanovski

Goals

Commodores – Richard Darko 5, Mark Rizoski, Hyuga Tanner 2, Adrian Hadjisocratous

Benfica – Petros Xenos, Michael Trajkovski

Infringements

Commodores 3

Benfica – None

Yellow Cards – none

Red Cards – none

By Peter Davies