RND 1 – Strikers

In an identical scoreline to 2010’s successful Grand Final, the Fire took home all three points after Delahunty’s tidy finish on 75 minutes, just when the game looked likely to end scoreless.

Former players Ryan Smith and Leon Dwyer were in the starting eleven for the trip to Brisbane, and were joined by new signings Dylan Roberts and Takanori Sato. Smith and Sato formed a tall central defensive partnership, as Greig Henslee pushed up into midfield alongside Tyson Holmes.

The game started at a noticeably slower pace than is typical for a clash between the two sides, as each team eased into the game. The Fire seemed content to hold possession and build through low passes, a priority for the 2011 season.

This clean build-up play almost yielded dividends on 11 minutes, when a pass from Sato found Aaron Brazendale on 20 yards, who turned to shoot. Brazendale’s strike took a heavy deflection off a defender, leaving Brendan White floundering in the Striker’s goal, but the ball narrowly missed the target.

The Fire continued to look the more fluent side early on, as Shaun Blackman flicked a header to Leon Dwyer inside the penalty area on 17 minutes. Dwyer’s shot was blocked by White, but Brazendale was on hand to tuck home the rebound, although the flag was already up for offside.

Although the Strikers were finding their share of possession, genuine chances were hard to come by. Skipper Chay Hews showed expert close control to get a shot on goal from the edge of the area, with Antony Hall at full stretch to make the save. Matt Christensen had a chance of his own soon after, but his free-kick from 20 yards was narrowly off target.

The half-time whistle sounded with neither side able to stamp their authority on the contest, leaving spectators wondering where the opening goal was going to come from.

After the goalless opening stanza, both sides looked to increase their application in the second half. For the Fire, Brazendale chased a loose ball to the byline and managed a shot on goal, but put his effort wide. Soon after, strong work in the attacking third gave Sam Knight an opportunity, but White made a comfortable save.

As the Strikers began to assert themselves in their attacking half, they went very close to breaking the deadlock when Ben Griffin connected with a powerful header following a corner. Fortunately for the Sunshine Coast, Griffin’s header slammed into the crossbar and was hacked to safety.

With full time approaching and no breakthrough on the horizon, Richard Hudson looked to inject some pace into the contest, replacing James Stinson and Aaron Brazendale with Kota Shibahashi and Ryan Delahunty.

A free-kick from 20 yards out almost yielded a goal for the Fire, but Tyson Holmes’ well-struck effort was tipped over the bar by Brendan White. Minutes later however, the Sunshine Coast found their long-awaited opening goal. After capitalising on a defensive error, Holmes slipped an accurate through-ball to Ryan Delahunty, who had outpaced him marker. One-on-one, Delahunty made no mistake as he beat White at his near post and gave the Fire the advantage with 15 minutes to play.

As Victor Fenehia was brought on for Sam Knight, the Sunshine Coast continued to press for a second goal. Delahunty and Holmes again combined to give Blackman an opportunity, but the effort was easy pickings for White in the Strikers goal.

With the final whistle imminent, Brisbane threw all they had at the Fire, with Jordan Mason firing a shot from distance well wide of goal. But in the end, the Strikers could only watch as the Fire notched another away victory at Perry Park, and a handy three points to kick-start the side’s title defence.

New coach Richard Hudson was pleased to notch three points on the road, in a game that could well have ended scoreless.

“It was the sort of game we’d have been disappointed with a draw, because of the chances we did create and didn’t finish. We were resolute in defence, it was the sort of game that was there to be won, and I’m glad we came away with the three points … the players are enjoying the way we’re performing, but the season is not a sprint, it’s a long haul.”

The next challenge for the Fire will be a road trip to face the North Queensland Razorbacks. Kickoff will be at 7pm on Saturday March 19, at Brolga Park in Townsville.

Brisbane Strikers – 0

For this rounds photos :http://www.sunshinecoastfcfans.com.au/index.php?page=256&ssid=256&mid=6

Antony Hall

James Stinson

Alex Henderson

Takanori Sato

Greig Henslee (VC)

Dylan Roberts

Kota Shibahashi

Shaun Blackman

Tyson Holmes (C)

Leon Dwyer

Sam Knight

Aaron Brazendale

Ryan Smith

Ryan Delahunty

Victor Fenehia

Judd Molea

Jason Hicks