Academy, Bulls remain winless in thrilling draw

A handful of supporters were out at Meakin Park on Sunday afternoon to see the Round 4 clash between Far North Queensland Bulls and the Queensland Academy of Sport. Both teams had plenty to prove, sitting at the bottom of the ladder and both yet to post a win for the 2011 QSL season.

In the sticky, overcast conditions, the Bulls were in their element. The more polished Bulls seemed to have the Academy’s measure early on, dominating through much of the first half with a few goals gone begging.

Playing deep within their half at the start of the match, it seemed that QAS were not going to play an attacking brand of football and with the Bulls constantly testing their defence, it felt as though Far North Queensland were most likely to notch up their first win.

Though the talented up and comers from Academy were not to be underestimated.

Towards the end of the first half, the match fast became an end to end contest. QAS’s Mitch Cooper and Brandon Borrello together produced a number of chances up the left wing, while Peter McGrath from the Bulls had a plum one-on-one opportunity against the QAS keeper, but a mistimed shot was easy picking for the Number 1, Matthew Acton.

Cooper again popped up in attack for QAS with a blistering strike, low and hard, but just wide of the goal. With Elliot Ronto and Koh Satake developing some nice one-twos in front of goal it looked as though QAS were finding their groove just before half time, but the Bulls defence remained strong.

Finally, Ronto had the breakthrough, banging home a goal in the 43^rd minute after a nice cross from Borello across the face of the goal. Academy up 1-0.

Then in a terrible split-second lapse of concentration by Academy defender James Donachie, a pass back to his keeper was intercepted by the Bulls’s attacking midfielder, Josiah Rusch, who put a nice move on the keeper to level the game at 1-1, just seconds before the half-time whistle.

After the break and a rejuvenated QAS side came out hungry for the lead back.

And they got it, seconds after the restart.

A clever back heel pass from Koh Satake to forward Jacob McLean in the goal square led to the forward putting the ball at the back of the net.

Moments later Far North Queensland had a goal allowed, before a late offside whistle saw the goal disallowed.

A series of penalties and yellow cards going against the Bulls got their coach protesting from the sidelines, with the bigger, Far North Queensland side not afraid to push their weight around.

The Bulls were coming at Academy hard and fast now, desperate to come away with all the points. Nathan Bird came close with a shot at the left corner of the goal, but it was defended well by the QAS keeper.

Thanks to some nice footwork and speed up front from the pint-sized Josh De Nittis, Far North Queensland equalised once again as the forward volleyed the ball over the keeper’s head to make it 2-2.

And that’s how it stayed.

Bulls’ coach, Peter Tokesi, later shared his thoughts about the game.

“I felt like when we came out after half time that we were probably still in the dressing sheds for the first couple of minutes. We’re just disappointed that we’re coming away with a point rather than three,” he said.

He also explained his disappointment over the penalty count.

“There must’ve been a period there where there were fifteen free kicks to zero. We weren’t a dirty side by any means, but they’ve got to go both ways. That’s what’s frustrating,” Tokesi said.

Academy’s coach Darren Davies also commented on the match.

“I’ve got to be happy with the boys. We’ve played against a Bulls side who will be in the top four come the end of the season, like they normally are,” he said.

He also talked about his team’s defensive style of play in the first half.

“We need to produce footballers who are comfortable in possession so that they can go on and play for Australia. Along the way we’re going to make mistakes and they’re going to concede some goals at times. As long as we learn from our mistakes then that’s part and parcel of their learning curb,” Davies explained.

Thanks to Football Queensland and Chris Paul for the footage.