FTSL Futsal Club topped the Southern section of the FAW Elite Futsal League as they defeated defending champions Swansea University 5-3 at the House of Sport.
Player-manager Rico Zulkarnain showed his class as his hat-trick put his side on their way to a consecutive victory after comfortably beating the University of South Wales prior to their second match.
Twice Swansea had taken a lead in the first-half, first through an own goal and then Huw Beynon, but Zulkarnian and an own goal for FTSL had the score at two goals apiece.
Cameron Langan gave the Students the lead for the third time but Zulkarnain cancelled it out before then putting his side in front with Conor Yeates then ensuring the victory with a strike three minutes from time.
Swansea opened the scoring with the first meaningful attack of the match. Elliot Jones’s free-kick was too powerful and bounced off the FTSL defender for an early lead.
The game had plenty to offer and quickly after scoring first, Luke Martin had to stop Zulkarnain from scoring with his free shot.
Zulkarnain wouldn’t be stopped for too long though as he poked home an equaliser for his side with a low left-footed shot.
Agonisingly for the Swans, Wales international Adam Orme hit the post as the game swung in their favour once again.
A personal battle between Zulkarnain and Huw Beynon was taking place with Beynon matching him man-for-man.
The pivot was proving a handful for the defence and Martin had to save with his leg to deny him his second.
Beynon puts the Swans back on top as he made the most of a free shot after an accumulation of fouls, expertly putting his shot past Matt Morris.
Zulkarnain then had a free shot but blazed his shot over, failing to take the chance. Moments later, however, FTSL got back on level terms as Pietro Gargaro’s attempted block deflected off of Langan into the net
In what was an end-to-end affair, Oakley missed a free shot and Warren Hudson clipped the post in a matter of seconds with the first-half drawing to a close.
Langan made amends for his own goal as he coolly slotted home from close-range a strike created neatly by Elliot Jones and Orme.
Victims of the fast-paced intensity of the match, Erik Tomlinson and Gargaro both collided with the FTSL man later requiring medical treatment for a blood injury. He returned donning a Kieffer Moore-esque headband.
As play resumed, FTSL got back on to level terms in controversial fashion. Zulkarnain ignored the Swans’ calls of a possible head injury to Orme to strike.
Both sides had plenty of opportunities apiece to seize the initiative with Hudson bringing a low save out of Morris.
For the first time in the match, FTSL led through Zulkarnain as his post cannoned in off the post past the unfortunate Luke Wallace.
Controversy then followed as Langan was booked for simulation as he tumbled in the box.
Four minutes from time, Yeates all but ensured victory as he pounced on a defensive error by rifling a shot home.
It prompted Swansea to play with a fly goalkeeper but they almost conceded more from this and ultimately failed to cause any late nerves for FTSL.
As a result of the victory, FTSL Futsal Club a winner-takes-all match against Futsal Club Cardiff on Sunday with the winner facing the Northern winner later on in the day.
Swansea University meanwhile have unsuccessfully defended their crown and will be competing with USW for third place.
Swansea University
Goals: OG 2, Huw Beynon 15, Cameron Langan 23
FTSL Futsal Club
Goals: Rico Zulkarnain 6, 26, 31, OG 16, Connor Yeates 37
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