Words: Matt Dorman
Image: Gavin Foster/Olympic FC

Two Reuben Way goals has secured Olympic FC a place in the NPL Queensland Finals series following a 2-2 draw with Harimau Muda ‘A’ on Wednesday night at Goodwin Park.

The visitors took a two goal advantage into the break courtesy of Mohammad Amer Saidin and Mohamad Amirul Awang Kechik, before Way’s brace rescued a point for the hosts.

The hosts began the match knowing six points from their final three matches would seal a home semi-final but were on the back foot early as both Mohammad Amer Saidin and Nurridzuan Abu Hassan crashed dipping shots against Shannon Lancini’s crossbar in the opening 20 minutes.

Given their fast start, it was of little surprise when Harimau took a 32nd minute lead.

The Malaysians won a free-kick to the left of the penalty area and Saidin needed no invitations to smash it low past a disjointed wall and into the bottom far corner.

Having had their six-match league winning run snapped in Cairns the previous weekend, and premiership title seized by Palm Beach Sharks, Olympic were shell-shocked throughout the first half against a zippy opponent.

Harimau offered no sympathy, moving 2-0 ahead on the stroke of half-time when Mohamad Amirul Awang Kechik cleverly struck a bouncing ball over Lancini and into the back of the net.

The home side needed a change in their favour and got it by way of a red card to Nurridzuan Abu Hassan, dismissed for a high challenge on Danny Byrne within two minutes of the restart.

Olympic lifted the tempo and it was Way who led the charge around the hour mark, twice stinging the palms of Mohd Farhan Abu Bakar in succession.

Harimau continued to fight despite their numerical disadvantage but eventuallythe breakthrough came in the 68th minute as Jake McLean had a shot cleared off the line, but only as far as Way who converted from close-range to reduce the deficit.

Eight minutes later Olympic FC were level.

This time it was all Way as the forward cut in from the right and powered an unstoppable drive into the top far corner to make it level at 2-2 and increase his tally to 21 league goals.

Just as it seemed the reigning Champions would surge on to three points, though, the away side managed to stem the tide and regain a foothold.

Harimau closed out the final 15 minutes to ensure the points were shared and see out their debut NPL Queensland season in mid-table.

Olympic remain third, but can still reclaim second from FNQ Heat starting on Sunday at home to Northern Fury.

Olympic FC 2 (Reuben WAY 68′ 76′)
Harimau Muda ‘A’ 2 (Mohammad Amer SAIDIN 32′, Mohamad Amirul AWANG KECHIK 45′)