NFPL Matchweek 5 Review

Home Teams Dominate in Matchweek 5

In each game of Matchweek 5, the visiting team were sent packing with little to write home about. Despite the results, each team still have many games to play as we have yet to reach halfway in the 2021/22 National Futsal Premier League season.

GRAND RAPIDS OLÉ 9-4 FUTSAL FACTORY ACADEMY

In front of over 500 fans, Grand Rapids OLé met Futsal Factory Academy in the latest installment of a storied rivalry to play the 2022 Michigan Derby in Grand Rapids. 

Futsal Factory started brightly, scoring almost immediately off the opening kickoff to shock the home fans and team with a goal from #16 Ahmed Zaky. However, the fast start wouldn't dictate the rest of the half. It wasn't long before Grand Rapids equalized through #13 Jonathan Stout, followed quickly by another goal from Daniel Diaz and then a second from Stout. 

This all came within the first 5-8 minutes of the first half, and the two teams played out a scoreless draw until halftime despite a number of chances falling each way. 

In the second half, Grand Rapids seemed to be pulling away, scoring to go up 4-1. Two rapidfire goals from Futsal Factory brought the game back to 4-3 at around the 13 minute mark, opening the game up once more. The two Michigan futsal teams would continue to trade blows, with Grand Rapids going up 6-3 before Zaky scored his second of the night to bring it to 6-4. That would be all Futsal Factory Academy had in the tank as they flew the keeper, letting in a few more before the final whistle to end the game at 9-4 in favor of Grand Rapids. 

As mentioned in the Matchweek 5 Preview, Grand Rapids OLé fielded a strong side that was spearheaded by goals from Stout, Diaz, and a hat trick from former Futsal Factory Academy player Cole Russell. 

The two teams will meet again on the east side of the state much later in the season: Saturday, March 26th, at 7:00PM EST. 

JOY ATHLETIC 8-2 GINGA FS

Fresh off a victory over the league leaders, Joy Athletic hosted Ginga FS, a team looking to string together a few wins to build momentum and push themselves into the conversation at the top of the table. 

A furious first half flurry of goals from the Minnesota-based Joy Athletic left the visitors from Cincinnati with a mountain to climb at halftime, down 6-1. Goals from Bennett Kouame, Dimitri Nair, and Simeon Friesen gave Joy Athletic the advantage. 

Joy continued to control the game in the second half, not giving Ginga FS much more than a sniff at goal. The final whistle confirmed what had been clear for some time: Joy were taking all three points for the second win in a row, 8-2 over Ginga FS.

The NFPL Resumes...

Catch all the action as Matchweek 6 brings us five great games of futsal across the Midwest: 

Friday, February 11:

In an immediate rematch of this Matchweek 5 game, Ginga FS host Joy Athletic at 7:00PM EST at Flock Sports Entertainment Center.

Saturday, February 12:

Ginga FS play their second game in as many days as they host Cadence SFC at 7:00 PM EST at Flock Sports Entertainment Center. This is the season opening match for Cadence SFC in their 2022 NFPL season.

Columbus Futsal, looking for their first win of the season, host Joy Athletic (their second game of the weekend) at 7:00 PM in their new home facility at Westwood Fieldhouse.

Sunday, February 13:

Futsal Factory Academy look to return to winning ways as they host Columbus Futsal at 5:00PM EST at High Velocity Sports. 

Catch our Matchweek 6 buildup and preview here and on our social media channels!