Sunshine Coast produced a major upset on Sunday afternoon, defeating Harimau Muda ‘A’ 2-1 at Kawana Soccer Club on the Sunshine Coast.

Matt Needham and Shoichi Koshimizu did the damage for the hosts, overturning a first half equaliser from Harimau Muda striker Muhammad Jafri Muhd Firdaus Chew.

Fire went in to the match with a game plan centred around counter-attack, aiming to shut down the Malaysian’s free-flowing style of play.

Harimau Muda attempted to find their passing rhythm early but Fire worked hard to prevent them from settling into the contest.

Needham opened accounts for Fire on 14 minutes when Ryan Delahunty gained possession between Harimau’s lines. The midfielder slipped the ball through for Needham, who provided a composed finish into the bottom right hand corner.

Harimau Muda replied on 23 minutes when an early ball from inside their own half catching out Fire’s defence. Muhd Firdaus Chew then cut inside Fire defender Chiharu Kosuge before burying his shot at the near post from just inside the penalty area.

A throw from Brock Messenger provided Wade Zammit with a shot on goal. The ensuring scramble offered Zammit another attempt but Harimau goalkeeper Mohd Farhan Abu Bakar proved up to the task.

Following the restart, the visitors took greater control of possession, however Fire’s defence restricted the Malaysians to shots from distance which failed to trouble Antony Hall in goal.

In the 65^th minute, Fire broke the deadlock courtesy of Koshimizu.

Showing great composure, Koshimizu took possession from a goal-kick before beating his defender and steering his shot past the onrushing keeper – the charismatic Japanese import involving the crowd in his joyful goal celebration.

Harimua Muda “A” responded by throwing more players forward, however Fire’s defensive line proved near-impossible to breakdown.

Fire saw further chances for Reyze Kelly and Delahunty to seal the result but in the end settled for a single goal margin.

The win is Fire’s second straight and lifts them to seventh on the NPL Queensland table. Harimau Muda ‘A’ drop to tenth but maintain a game in hand over all but fellow newcomers Brisbane Roar NYL.

Sunshine Coast Fire 2 (Matt NEEDHAM 14', Shoichi KOSHIMIZU 65')
Harimau Muda 'A' 1 (Muhammad Jafri MUHD FIRDAUS CHEW 23')

 

Words & Image: Sunshine Coast FC Fire