Hyundai Queensland State League – Major Semi-Final
Sunshine Coast Fire v Brisbane Strikers
Sunday, August 29 2010
Kane Frampton – Staff Reporter
It took 120 minutes to separate the old rivals, but the Strikers are the first team to qualify for the Grand Final after coming from behind to defeat the Fire 2-1.
Shaun Blackman’s 12th minute goal was cancelled out by a second half penalty from Matt Thurtell, and an extra time strike from Sean Burke sealed the result. The Strikers are now guaranteed hosting rights for the Grand Final, while the Fire must beat the North Queensland Razorbacks next weekend to face Brisbane again.
The match kicked off at Gympie’s One Miles Ovals, and it took some time for both sides to find their touch.
After a cagey few opening minutes, Brisbane began to find some momentum going forward. Myles Carseldine found space on the left flank and was in on goal, but a desperate lunge from Greig Henslee cleared the threat. Soon after, striker Matt Thurtell went close but shot across the face of goal.
On 12 minutes, the Fire got on the scoresheet. Tyson Holmes hit a free-kick from 40 yards out toward the far post, where Shaun Blackman rose above Strikers keeper Usai and headed truly, giving the Fire a dream start.
The early goal opened the game up, and the play flowed from end to end with both sides creating goal-scoring opportunities. Thurtell almost replied immediately for the Strikers, but Antony Hall did well to turn his close-range shot around the post. For the Fire, Corey Towle found himself in space in the penalty area and volleyed toward goal, but Usai got down to block the shot.
As is often the case when the two sides meet, neither side was giving an inch and the contest was becoming increasingly physical. With more than a few players finding their way into the referee’s book, both sides looked to maintain composure.
As half time approached, Myles Carseldine hit the left upright with a piercing drive from long-range, but the Strikers could not level the scores. Both sides headed for the dressing rooms knowing the game was balanced on a knife-edge, and could well go beyond 90 minutes.
The match resumed with the Fire defending the slenderest of margins. Although both sides had their chances, Brisbane were looking dangerous in their attacking third, and both Michael Angus and Matt Christensen went close to levelling the scores.
A strong move down the right flank from Jai Cross almost yielded a goal, but he placed his shot inches wide of goal. Soon after, Aaron Brazendale and Chris Bacon combined well but a desperate challenge denied the opportunity.
Midway through the second half, Brazendale was substituted for James Stinson as the Fire looked to protect their lead. As much as the Fire are known for their attacking prowess, strong defensive work was ensuring the side remained in front. As the Strikers looked to expose the flanks, Corey Towle and Sam Knight continued to win the ball in defence, and provide support for Alex Henderson and Greig Henslee in the centre.
On 70 minutes Hall was again called into action, saving Thurtell’s free-kick at full stretch. Minutes later, substitute Jonti Richter spurned a good chance by missing wide from another free-kick.
Although the Fire were mostly attacking on the break, direct play was creating chances. Bacon controlled a long ball from Towle in a dangerous position, but was called offside.
With 10 minutes of regular time to play, the Fire’s hopes of booking a home Grand Final took a hit when Sean Burke went to ground in the penalty area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Thurtell stepped up and delivered a shot past the despairing dive of Hall to level the scores at 1-1.
The Fire rallied quickly and looked for an immediate response, and Yuta Gonai looked to have earned a penalty when he went to ground in the penalty area, but the referee waved play on. Holmes prodded the loose ball wide of goal.
Brisbane almost snatched the game deep into injury time, when Jordan Mason forced another quality save out of Hall from close in. It was to be the last attack of regular time, and extra time was called upon to find a winner.
The first period of extra time kicked off, with the game resuming at the same high tempo that had prevailed throughout regular time. The Sunshine Coast had the first good opportunity, when a scramble in the penalty area fell to Holmes who had a close-range shot blocked.
Up the other end the Strikers were continuing to threaten, as Richter flashed a shot over the bar.
After eight minutes of additional time, Brisbane hit the front. Sean Burke found space in the penalty area, and hit a classy volley past Hall for a 2-1 lead.
Behind for the first time in the match, the Fire fought desperately for an equaliser. Substitute Ryan Delahunty went close, turning a header inches wide of the far post.
As the game moved into the second period of extra time, Brisbane looked to defend in numbers and close out the game, as the Fire kept pressing. Blackman went agonisingly close to forcing a penalty shootout, but his powerful header cannoned into the crossbar and out of play. It was to be the last chance for the Fire, and the whistle sounded for a gallant defeat in another engrossing battle between the two rivals.
The result means the Fire will have to make the Grand Final the hard way, by getting past the North Queensland Razorbacks in a Preliminary Final next week. If successful, the Fire will face a Grand Final rematch against the Strikers at Perry Park.
Coach Aston Bell was understandably dejected to miss out on a Grand Final berth, but paid tribute to his side for their tenacity.
“I can’t ask any more of my players, they gave it everything but the Strikers got us in the end. I thought we did really well to be a goal ahead, but in the end conceded what I thought was a poor penalty decision. The Strikers took their chance when it came.
“Knowing the players and how well they have responded this year, they will get the loss off their shoulders pretty quickly, and turn up at training on Tuesday night ready for North Queensland.”
Final Score – Sunshine Coast FC – 1(Blackman, 12)
Brisbane Strikers – 2 (Thurtell (pen), 79, Burke, 98)
