Belchester FC deliver huge upset at national champs

Belchester Futsal Club proved their status as one of the country’s elite indoor soccer teams when they reached the semi-finals of the national championships last weekend.

After winning the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) championships, Belchester FC were ready to rub shoulders with five of the country’s best teams, all of whom they took on during Saturday’s pool matches at the Westville campus of UKZN.

It was a cautious start for Belchester who settled early first game nerves against Cape Town’s Mustangs FC to earn a hard fought 1-1 draw.

There was no such trouble in the second game – a rematch of the KZN championship final – where Belchester eased past Maritzburg FC 2-0.

Brimming with confidence, the North Coast outfit were ready to meet the formidable GQ Elephants, coached by 37-cap Bafana Bafana winger Elrio van Heerden.

A close first half ended 1-1, but the men from the Eastern Cape struck twice more to earn a 3-1 win and leave Belchester with an uphill battle to reach the semi-finals.

Their next game was against tournament favourites Orlando Pirates Fives, who entered the match unbeaten in their previous 52 outings, including a 7-3 battering of the Elephants earlier in the day.

But Belchester’s players had other ideas, delivering the upset of the tournament when they claimed a fantastic 2-1 win to book their semi-final berth.

“It was a dream for some of our players to play against Orlando Pirates and our boys earned the respect they deserve throughout South Africa with this victory,” said manager Tovey Ramnarain.

A dead rubber 2-2 draw against Soweto FC closed the first day, with both teams already qualified for the playoffs.

A rematch against Mustangs faced Belchester on Sunday morning, with the Cape Town team showing their quality to go 5-0 up early on.

Belchester scored four to make a game of it, but it proved too little too late with the game ending 7-4 in favour of Mustangs.

Pirates would go on to win the tournament with a 3-2 victory in the finals.

“The boys showed great character and big heart for the team and game, featuring among the best in the country. Belchester FC is a force to be reckoned with as we have a young squad and we look forward to playing in the upcoming National Futsal League,” said manager Chrissy Pillay.

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