Chile too hot for Selecao 

Chile Futsal Club remained at the top of the NDTC Premier League log after a come-from-behind win against Selecao in Namibian futsal action over the weekend. 

There were also big wins for Quality FC and Ballers FC who remain on Chile’s tail at the top of the log, while the three frontrunners have now opened a three-point lead over the chasing pack. 

The highly anticipated encounter between Chile and Selecao did not disappoint as the match started off with a bang. 

Selecao took the lead after barely 20 seconds when Nigel Prins pounced onto a loose ball to slot the ball into the net, but two minutes later it was 1-1 when Jurgen van der Byl intercepted a poor pass to equalise.

The attacks continued at both ends with a long range cracker by Bornface Siyanga well saved by Selecao keeper Cee-Jay van Wyk, while his opposite number, Sidalino Roberto also did well to save a cracking shot by Jaylen Steyn.

Selecao upped the tempo and regained the lead when Prins pounced to put them 2-1 ahead, and with Selecao starting to dominate possession, Thiago Willemse, Elroi Drotsky and Akio van Wyk all came close to scoring in the final stages of the first half. 

The second half was a cautious affair with few chances of note and the opposing defences holding sway, but just when it seemed that Selecao would hold on for victory, Chile struck back with a vengeance with three goals in the final five minutes. 

Their hardworking forward Wesley Otto was involved in the first two – first putting Rolando Swartz clear to tap in the equaliser, and then intercepting a pass to score and put Chile ahead for the first time. 

With their fans cheering them on, Martin Humphries put the icing on the cake to score from a counter-attack and complete a rousing comeback win.

That was Chile’s fourth successive win and put them at the top of the log on 12 points – just ahead of Quality and Ballers on goal difference. 

Defending champions Quality FC thumped Demia FC 7-0 after leading 3-0 at halftime. Ken Salote scored a brace, while Luis Solunga, Sunday Shilunga, Sebastiao Borges, Gerson Shipena and Ezio Chivas scored one goal each.

Ballers also got their fourth successive win after beating Ineos FC 7-4 in a high-scoring encounter. 

In a frantic first half of non-stop action, Ballers raced into a 6-3 lead after goals by George Haikali, Marchelle Delie, Inrico Swartz (two), Johannes Naiteta and Saltiel Nghinyangelwa, while Majami David, Enos Weni and Tarah Gottlieb replied for Ineos. 

Things slowed down a bit after the break, but two goals in the final quarter by Jerome Jasgger for Ballers and Kaleb Shooya for Ineos made the final score 7-4. 

Windhoek Futsal Club moved into fourth position on nine points after a comprehensive 7-1 victory against JAC Motors, after leading 3-0 at halftime. Daniel Dausab, Mzwandile Mento and Phillimon Muhongo each scored a brace, and Dahlin Kandjala one goal for Windhoek FC, while Vitho van Wyk scored JAC Motors’ solitary goal. 

Patriots and Boston Madrid remained fifth and sixth on the log respectively on seven points each after battling it out to a 2-2 draw. Patriots took a 1-0 halftime lead after a goal by Claude Will Swartbooi, but Breyton van Wyk equalised for Boston Madrid early in the second half.

Peter Moller seemed to have got the winner for Patriots with a minute to go, but Boston Madrid immedately struck back with a goal by Duscan Kasika to grab a share of the spoils. 

In other premier league matches, 7 Kings beat Flying V 4-1, X Men beat The Mavericks 6-2, and WIAS and Knights drew 2-2.