Words: Matt Dorman, Olympic FC
Image: Alannah Pearson, Olympic FC

Olympic FC Head Coach Jim Bellas is confident of a return to title-winning form despite the premiers dropping their past two NPL Queensland fixtures.

Last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Harimau Muda ‘A’ leaves the Grand Final winners in mid-table after five matches and another tricky opponent will visit Goodwin Park on Friday night in the form of Brisbane Roar NYL.

“There are a few new players in the team getting used to the way we play,” Bellas said.

“(Assistant Coach) Tim (Brown) and I have to think how we’re going to get the best out of these players. Once we get that right I think we will be back to our winning ways.”

Though Daniel Crack is likely to stay sidelined through injury for another couple of weeks, and fellow defender Matt Mundy will be missing due to suspension, Bellas hopes goal scorers Tim Smits and Reuben Way will be fit to return after the pair missed last weekend’s loss.

“It probably would have been different if we had Smitsy and Reuben but it wasn’t to be,” Bellas said.

“We were very competitive, with 10 men we were still going forward. We probably didn’t have the ideal players to score but apart from that I was very pleased with them, they tried their hardest.”

Captain Danny Byrne echoed his coach’s comments, preaching patience after the squad lost stars Jai Ingham and Ross Archibald to higher honours last season.

“It’s going to take time to fully gel and obviously when you’re winning it’s a bit easier,” Byrne said.

“But it’s like anything, it takes time. The league is a lot stronger this year and that’s going to make things a bit harder as well.”

Byrne also outlined his desire to see a big crowd in Yeronga for Friday’s match against Roar’s talented youth team.

“It would be nice, especially after how well we did last year, to see plenty of numbers not only for me personally but for everyone involved,” the skipper said.

“One of the good things to come out of the Harimau game was considering they’re not even from this country they had a good following.”

The occasion will be particularly special given it will be the first time Ingham returns to face his former side after winning the double with Olympic in 2013.

The dangerous winger has since gone on to make his A-League debut with Brisbane Roar, which Bellas hopes is only the beginning for the 20-year-old.

“I just hope wherever he plays he plays well,” Bellas said, “He’s a good kid, he’s a good footballer and I want the best for our players.

“One day he might come back here but at the moment he’s there so hopefully he will do his best, shine and get an A-League contract.”

Kick off at Goodwin Park between Olympic FC and Brisbane Roar NYL is scheduled for 7.15pm.