QSL Wrap: Round Fourteen

The 2012 QSL season ticked beyond its halfway point over the weekend with all the usual suspects doing their job.

A late, late away win over the QAS wasn’t enough for Sunshine Coast to make ground on league-leaders Brisbane while Whitsunday reaffirmed their top-four status and Gold Coast were cruelly denied a maiden victory.

Whitsunday Miners 2 – 1 Capricorn Cougars
(Van Moolenbroek 37’, Corte 77’) (Cay 29’)

Whitsunday Miners have gotten their season back on track, recording their first victory in four weeks as Jordan Corte scored late to sink the Capricorn Cougars.

After falling behind to Michael Cay’s 29th minute opener, Whitsunday hit back through star striker Michael van Moolenbroek equalising in the 37th minute, before winger Corte netted the crucial winner just thirteen minutes from full-time.

The home triumph means the Miners have now jumped back into third and can bridge the gap to second-placed Sunshine Coast, who have the bye, to three points with a win in Bundaberg next weekend.

Capricorn’s loss, meanwhile, keeps them level on points with the Razorbacks in sixth and needing a strong next performance away to the Strikers.

FNQ Bulls 1 – 2 Brisbane Strikers
(Bird 49’) (Angus 2’ Di Sipio 16’)

Not even the homecoming of former Australia youth international and Cairns favourite Wayne Srhoj could save Far North Queensland from a loss to Brisbane Strikers.

The pre-match hype around Borzi Park undeniably concerned the return of prodigal son and Melbourne Heart midfielder Srhoj, but Brisbane stifled any Bulls buzz with two goals inside sixteen minutes to set the platform for another impressive three points.

Just as they did against the QAS a week prior, the Strikers got off to the best possible start with MVP-contender Michael Angus getting on the scoresheet in the 2nd minute. Tricky attacker Chris Di Sipio then notched his third goal in two matches by doubling Brisbane’s advantage in the second minute, a lead which was ultimately enough to see the visitors home. Nathan Bird pulled one back for the hosts four minutes after the restart but, despite also hitting the crossbar moments later, the Strikers held on to maintain their stronghold over top spot.

Brisbane are again on the road next week, meeting Capricorn in Rockhampton, while FNQ face a crunch match as they look to stave off the top-four challenge of the visiting QAS.

Queensland Academy of Sport 1 – 2 Sunshine Coast Fire
 (Quinn 63’) (Barlow 46’ Firth 90+1’)

Sunshine Coast Fire have inflicted a morale-crushing blow on the Queensland Academy of Sport, striking in stoppage time to steal a 2-1 win at Meakin Park.

The fixture was of paramount importance to both sides as Fire were intent on atoning for last week’s surprise home loss to the Razorbacks and keeping pace with Brisbane, while the QAS were looking to prove they could mix it with the league’s best in pushing for finals.

Despite a first-half marginally edged by the possession play of the Academy, Sunshine Coast punished a recurring theme of ill-discipline in defence as Alex Barlow struck the opener within sixty seconds of the resumption. The QAS drew level just after the hour when fullback Alistair Quinn guided a superb free-kick beyond the reach of Dale Hill, only to be devastated when Fire managed to scramble a stoppage time winner. After a free-kick had only been partially cleared from a gaggle of Sunshine Coast attackers, DJ Firth reacted quickest to loop a hopeful shot over stranded QAS ‘keeper Matthew Stein and into the far corner.

Fire’s delight with the goal and result was fully justified with next week’s bye underscoring the importance of three points to keep pace with Brisbane. The QAS will look for a similarly important result next round in Cairns, where they can cut FNQ’s lead in fourth.

Gold Coast Stars 1 – 1 Bundaberg Spirit
(Scott 15’) (Sanderson 90’)

The embattled Gold Coast Stars squad have copped another cruel blow, denied their first win of the season by Bundaberg’s 90th minute equaliser.

Only days after learning that owner Ahmed Sokarno withdrew his support of the club, the Stars returned home to meet Spirit under the control of Football Queensland, who have promised to back the side for the remainder of the season.

Having led since the fifteenth minute it appeared as though Gold Coast were finally set for a desperately needed boost until 8th placed Bundaberg, just one spot above the Stars in last, salvaged a point in the 90th minute.

The bitter blow will be tough to recover from for the besieged Stars squad, who must now regroup for a trip to Townsville, in contrast to a Spirit group buoyed by their late show heading into a home clash with Whitsunday.

North Queensland Razorbacks – BYE