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

Brisbane Strikers edged into second on the table despite being frustrated by Brisbane City following a 0-0 draw at Corporate Travel Management Stadium.

A large and vocal crowd witnessed the high quality capital city derby that Strikers dominated for long periods despite the absence of league-leading goalscorer Rhys Meredith.

City goalkeeper Timothy Allen made several telling saves to record his third clean sheet of the league campaign, while Strikers shot-stopper Sebastian Usai was rarely troubled as he notched a sixth shut-out of the season.

The result extends City’s undefeated run to five matches in the league; while the point is enough for Strikers to move to second on the table on goal difference ahead of Redlands United, who hold a game in hand.

Key Moments

12’ - CHANCE FOR CITY - Scot Coulson controls a high Kai Smith cross from the right, teeing himself up to shoot a high shot dipping under the crossbar, tipped over the bar by Sebastian Usai

20’ - CHANCE FOR CITY - Nicholas Buckley receives the ball in the penalty area and has his low shot blocked to Mitchell Hore, but his effort from inside the area flies just wide

25’ - CHANCE FOR CITY - Mitchell Hore picks up the ball just outside the penalty area and curls a shot just wide of the right hand post

33’ - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - After an extended spell of possession, the ball finds its way to the left side of the penalty area where Hiroki Omori places a curling shot towards the far corner, saved well two handed by diving Timothy Allen

39’ - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Shaun Carlos has a free kick from dead in front 20 yards out which he fires straight into the wall, then follows up by having his second effort deflected over for a corner

45+1’ - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - A corner from the right by Trent Clulow finds Greig Henslee at the back post and heads towards goal, palmed away by Allen.

68’ - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Omori picks up the ball on the left hand side of the penalty area and fires a low shot straight at Allen

76’ - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Clulow receives the ball from the right inside the penalty area but the ball gets stuck under his feet. He plays in Omori who’s shot is blocked wide for a corner

80’ - CHANCE FOR CITY - Hore plays in Jason Park on the left hand edge of the penalty area, who turns inside and shoots from outside the area straight at Usai.

83’ - CHANCE FOR STRIKERS - Clulow shoots from outside the box after receiving a cross from Luke Marsh but it is brilliantly tipped around the post by a diving Allen

What They Said

“Overall it’s a good point, against a good side. We defended well, we got people in the right areas and when we did make mistakes we recovered well. I was happy with that. We were a bit sloppy when we had the ball though. We did have a couple of good opportunities in the first half, but I’ll take the point.” – John Kosmina, Brisbane City FC coach

“I thought we were superb tonight. It was as good a performance as you’ll see at semi-pro level, some of our interchange and play through central areas, our wingers coming inside and combining, it was a real pleasure to watch. When you’ve played 90% of the game in their half against a really good team with players that can hurt you, of course you're disappointed not to come away with the three points.” – Kevin A’herne-Evans, Brisbane Strikers FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 11

Saturday, May 21
Corporate Travel Management Stadium, Brisbane

Brisbane City FC – 0
Brisbane Strikers FC – 0

CLICK HERE for the official Match Centre

Match Officials – David Walsh (referee), James Sherry (assistant), Trent Sleeman (assistant), Daniel Olson (fourth)