Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Simon Smale
Images: Anthony Napoli

Brisbane City claimed derby bragging rights over Olympic FC with a see-sawing and drama packed 3-2 win at Corporate Travel Management Stadium.

Antonio Murray scored his second goal in as many games to give the hosts the advantage at the break before Olympic came out firing in the second stanza – levelling via Sam Cronin.

Nathan Bird edged City ahead once more midway through the second half before Samuel Sibatuara’s late penalty effectively sealed the points for the hosts.

Youeil Shol found late consolation for Olympic – his injury time penalty putting him top of the Golden Boot race with four goals from the opening three games.

The result marks City’s first win over their cross-river rivals since 2014 and lifts City into the top four ahead of Sunday’s final fixtures of the round.

Key Moments

8 - CHANCE FOR CITY – Antonio Murray flashes a shot across the face of goal that eludes a desperate slide from teammate Scot Coulson

12’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Scot Coulson breaks the offside trap but his touch is too heavy and Olympic goalkeeper Nicholas Mooney is quick to quash the danger

16’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Antonio Murray finds the back of the bet with an expertly timed diving header from close range

28’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Antonio Murray again threatens after getting in behind Olympic’s line but his cheeky chipped attempt just fades wide of the post

53’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – With momentum building for the visitors, Lachlan Munn pulls the trigger from outside the box forcing a solid save from City goalkeeper Timothy Allen

60’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – Sam Cronin delivers his first goal of the season with a text-book header

66’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Nicholas Mooney is again up to task to foil Antonio Murray

71’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Antonio Murray heads a corner kick back across goal where Nathan Bird is waiting to nod in from close range

73’ – CHANCE FOR OLYMPIC – Daniel Byrne strikes a curling right-footed strike from outside the area that gets the better of Timothy Allen but is denied by the crossbar

85’ – CHANCE FOR CITY – Nicholas Buckley breaks free of the Olympic defence but Nicholas Mooney is up to task with a brilliant one-on-one save

89’ – GOAL FOR CITY – Samuel Sibatuara wins a penalty after being pulled back by Scott Bow. Sibatuara then converts the spot kick to finish what he started

90+2’ – GOAL FOR OLYMPIC – Ryan Roderick is felled in the penalty area enabling Youeil Shol to pull a goal back from the penalty spot and notch his fourth goal of the season.

What They Said

“We played well, we played some good football. We should have been two or three up at half time, but we weren't and that always happens. Even the worst teams in the competition will still get back into the game at some stage so you've got to stay tuned in.” – John Kosmina, Brisbane City FC coach

“I just feel that in these games – cross river rivals and with a lot of people here – why they persist on experimenting with linesman and referees (that are) young kids and can’t keep up with play. A few decisions out there were poor. I’m pretty sure the first one cost us a goal.” - Jim Bellas, Olympic FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 3
Saturday, March 12
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Brisbane

Brisbane City FC 3 defeat Olympic FC 2

Brisbane City FC

Goals – Antonio MURRAY 16’, Nathan BIRD 71’, Samuel SIBATUARA 89’p
Yellow cards – Kai SMITH 31’
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Timothy ALLEN, 2. Greg KING, 4. Kai SMITH, 5. Jayke CUSCHIERI, 6. Luke PAVLOU, 7. Nathan BIRD, 9. Antonio MURRAY (19. Mitchell HORE 78’), 10. Scot COULSON (13. Jason PARK 63’), 11. Nicholas BUCKLEY, 17. Samuel SIBATUARA, 18. Motoki KAKEHI (15. Kai BARNES 89’)

Unused –

Olympic FC

Goals – Sam CRONIN 60’, Youeil SHOL 90+2’p
Yellow cards – James CUMINAO 74’, Ryan RODERICK 82’, Scott BOW 88’
Red cards – none

Squad – 1. Nicholas MOONEY, 2. Liam O’BRYAN, 3. James CUMINAO (18. Matthew GORDON 75’), 5. Scott BOW, 6. Matt MUNDY, 9. Lachlan MUNN (12. Ryan RODERICK 78’), 10. Daniel BYRNE, 11. Matthew HEATH (19. Abel FESSEHA 87’), 13. Brad SCOTT, 15. Sam CRONIN, 17. Youeil SHOL

Unused – 14. Kosi YANNAKOPOULOS, 20. Dakota SPRANGE

Match officials – Katie PATERSON (referee), Trent SLEEMAN (assistant), James SHERRY (assistant), Patrick DWYER (fourth)