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Hyundai Queensland State League - Qualifying Finals
Brisbane Strikers 2 - 1 Sunshine Coast Fire
Brisbane Strikers got some payback over arch-rivals Sunshine Coast Fire, with a breathtaking 2-1 win at Perry Park on Saturday night.
Strikers were pressing hard to draw first blood and were slowly gaining the upper hand with one-two passing starting to come off nicely for the home side, getting Sunshine Coast players increasingly frustrated.
Emulating their dominance at the front, at the back Strikers were just as solid. Ben Griffin and Ryan Mottin were particularly good in defence.
Fire had half-chances here and there, but never really troubled the Brisbane defence.
At half time, still no team could break the deadlock butThe second half was definitely a more open affair, with both sides swinging the advantage their way at different stages of the match.
Strikers finally got on the board in the 58th minute. A soft clip by a Fire player was picked up and a free-kick was given for Brisbane on the right side of the pitch just inside the half way line. Hews lined it up and curled it to the front of goal where a rising Sean Burke got high above the pack to head the ball into the back of the net, sending the local fans into a frenzy.
Approaching the final twenty minutes, it took a captain’s goal to get the Fire back into the match.
A penalty was given to Molea and captain Tyson Holmes took the kick from 20 metres out. With the wall in his way, Holmes’ bending kick surpassed everyone, including the ‘keeper, sneaking into the very top right hand corner.
With the scores equal each squad lifted, but Strikers looking the more comfortable of the two and in the 92nd minute they got the winning goal through a Ben griffin header.
Strikers will now face Sunshine Coast for the third week in a row for a spot in the 2011 Queensland State League Grand Final.
Match Highlights courtesy of Football Queensland.
Far North Queensland Bulls 4 - 0 Queensland Academy of Sport
The Bulls have ended QAS' stint in the finals, with a convincing 4-0 display At home in Mareeba on Saturday night.
Academy had quite the challenge on their hands facing a fearsome attacking side in FNQ Bulls. In the last few matches, the Bulls had scored plenty of goals, particularly from key player Josiah Rusch who has sky-rocketed to fourth on the Golden Boot tally.
So of course, who better to knock in the Bulls' initial goal than Rusch. It took just 13 minutes for FNQ to get their first. With finesse Rusch dodged Academy's defense with ease to secure a 1-0 lead.
Cater got the Bulls' second in the 18th minute with McGrath extending their lead in the 27th minute. It would be a long way back from here for QAS. When Rusch finished the first half with another goal, the game was sealed.
Academy couldn't find a way in during the second term, and though the Bulls took the foot off the pedal their effort in the first half was enough for the win.
FNQ now play Whitsunday in Mackay for a shot at the Grand Final.
Whitsunday Miners 3 - 1 Gold Coast Stars
Whitsunday christened their new stadium in the best way possible with a 3-1 victory in the knockout stage of the QSL finals on Saturday night.
Mackay Stadium held a massive 1845 supporters in it's stands on the night, setting a new record for attendance at a QSL match.
The Stars were coming off a successful few weeks which saw them defeat the Bulls and Strikers and entered the match with plenty of confidence.
But The Miners kicked off proceedings with a goal from Jamie White within ten minutes. The in-form Gold Coast didn't let them keep the lead for long though, thanks to Liam McCormick's free kick a minute later that had the Miners 'keeper fumble the ball into the net.
From there the Miners went hard on the offensive. They had a flurry of chances through Troy Mundy and Clark Bradford who were working hard up front.
Their hard work paid off when Mundy was brought down in the box after a beautiful run through the middle. From the spot kick Bradford slotted it in with ease to give the Miners the lead in the 26th minute.
The Stars were relying on the counter attack and had their chances, but just couldn't turn their chances into goals.
In the second half, the Miners continued to dominate and in the 51st minute, Mundy wrapped up the match with a header off a corner kick, taking the home side to a 3-1 lead.
Whitsunday will be hoping the locals turn out again this weekend when they take on their Northern Queensland rivals, FNQ Bulls in the second round of the finals.
QSL Finals Round 2
Whitsunday Miners Vs FNQ Bulls
Sat 13th Aug - 7:00pm
Mackay Stadium. Casey Avenue, Mackay.
Sunshine Coast FC Vs Brisbane Strikers FC
Sun 14th Aug - 2:00pm
Stockland Park. Nicklin Way, Kawana.