Words: Michael Flynn, Palm Beach Sharks
Image: Jared Adamson, Palm Beach Sharks

Palm Beach Sharks confirmed their reputation as the team to beat in this year’s NPL Queensland title race after thrashing Harimau Muda ‘A’ 6-0 at Mallawa Complex on Sunday evening.

Striker Chris Lucas netted once in each half in a commanding team performance by the league leaders, adding to first half goals from Daniel Dragicevic and Martin Vazquez before Troy Ruthven and Daniel Grdzic rounded out the result late in the contest.

Harimau Muda ended the match with nine men after dismissals for Amir Zafran Wan Nadris and Muhamed Faizat Mohamad Ghazli – each for second bookable offences – but the outcome was sealed well before the pair received their marching orders.

The visitors started positively as their passing game kept Sharks pinned in their own half for the opening exchanges before the hosts struck twice in quick time on the counter attack.

A strong turn from Lucas in the centre of the park created space to play a through-ball for Dragicevic for the opener on 8 minutes – the right winger showing quick heels before delivering a composed finish.

Lucas then benefitted from the vision of skipper Justyn McKay in transition, running on to the midfielder’s lobbed pass shortly after – the striker slotting his shot under Harimau goalkeeper Mohd Farhan Abu Bakar to double the advantage.

Benefitting from the buffer, Sharks frustrated the visitors quick movement and denied the Malaysians space between the lines; centre halves Kristian Rees and Vazquez proving particular vocal organising the defence.

The hosts fashioned further chances before Vazquez’s angled run toward the near post was found by Lucas’s corner kick, the defender turning the ball home with a well-placed header to effectively seal the points on the half hour.

Harimau Muda created a handful of half-chances as the half drew to a close but Sharks goalkeeper Shane Vitikangas wasn’t truly tested throughout the contest.

The situation continued to deteriorate for the visitors following the restart as Mohamad Ghazli received his second yellow card for a wreckless challenge, adding to his first half booking for simulation.

Just after the hour, Lucas snared his brace, proving too strong for Harimau Muda defender Wan Nadris in a shoulder-to-shoulder battle for Troy Ruthven’s looping pass before delivering another adept finish on the angle.

The Harimau Muda defender was booked for dissent following the goal and was dismissed 12 minutes from time when an ill-timed challenge brought Palm Beach a penalty which Ruthven duly converted from the spot.

Substitute Grzic rounded out the scoring a minute later after he finished off a lightning build-up from McKay and Dragicevic against the hapless Harimau defence.

The visitor’s found some solace in the final ten minutes when goalkeeper Abu Bakar saved a penalty kick from Nik Mirkovic after Harimau Muda handballed in the penalty area.

The win returns the undefeated Palm Beach to first place on the NPL Queensland ladder ahead of Moreton Bay United and Olympic FC, who are both a point further back after ten rounds.

Palm Beach Sharks 6 (Daniel DRAGICEVIC 8’, Chris LUCAS 11’ 65’, Martin VAZQUEZ 32’, Troy RUTHVEN 77’(p), Daniel Grzic 78’)
Harimau Muda ‘A’ 0