Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting: Toby Crockford
Images: Anthony Napoli

A dramatic last minute strike from Kimba Kibombo has delivered a ten-man SWQ Thunder a remarkable 2-2 draw with Moreton Bay United at Wolter Park.

Conceding twice in the first-half, Thunder found themselves further on the back foot following the dismissal of Mustafa Jafari shortly after the hour, however stunned the hosts with two goals in the final minutes of the contest.

The visitors pulled a goal back when Alex Janovsky inadvertently turned a free-kick into his own net before Kibombo produced a stunning injury-time strike to secure his side a share of the spoils.

Earlier, Jets stormed to a two goal advantage inside half-hour as Jonathan Marraiya’s opener was complemented by Jordan Farina, but despite dominating the scoring chances were unable to put Thunder away in the second half.

The result keeps the tenth-placed Thunder’s faint hopes of a maiden top four finish alive for another week, while Jets remain four points adrift of securing a second straight post-season appearance and defending their Champions title.

Key Moments

7’ – GOAL FOR JETS – Taiga Ishikura low near-post cross is turned in by Jonathan Marraiya to open accounts

23’ – GOAL FOR JETS – Ishikura again delivers the killer ball into the penalty area as he tees up Jordan Farina to convert at close range

38’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Farina shoots wide of the far post from 15 yards

47’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Marraiya battles to the byline before cutting back for Alex Janovsky, but his shot sails high over the crossbar

53’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Scott Stewart powers a header goalward but Thunder goalkeeper Luke Borean makes a finger-tip save

67’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Raymond Schultz’s low cross is met by the sliding Royce Brownlie but he can’t turn the ball on target

67’ – RED CARD FOR THUNDER – Mustafa Jafari is dismissed for a second yellow card following an ill-timed challenge after he lost possession of the ball

78’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Marraiya goes in search of his second with a snap strike but is foiled by a solid save from Borean

84’ – CHANCE FOR JETS – Jackson Hall cuts in from the left but his shot from point-blank range is parried by Borean before being cleared

89’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – A Thunder free-kick is inadvertently deflected into the far corner of the net by Alex Janovsky 

90’ CHANCE FOR JETS – Finn Beakhurst crosses for Jacob Fulluck at close range with the goal at his mercy but he mistrikes straight to Borean

90+4’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Kimba Kibombo breaks through several attempted tackles from the Jets defence before skilfully lobbing a collected finish over Jets goalkeeper Bon Scott for a remarkable equaliser

What They Said

“The experience we have in our side, we should’ve managed the game better. At two-nil up in the latter stages we had to do what we were doing to keep us in front. (But) lapses in concentration, bad decision making and we let it slip. The boys should be very disappointed.“ – Dave Harris, Moreton Bay United FC coach

“This is why we’re all involved in football – it was a life-changing experience. It was a magnificent game and sometimes the best team doesn’t win on the scoreboard. For our lads to be two-nil down at the Premiers, have a man sent-off and then come back and snatch a point – they were magnificent.“ – Chris McLeod, SWQ Thunder FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 17

Saturday, July 9
Wolter Park, Moreton Bay

Moreton Bay United FC – 2 (Jonathan MARRIAYA 7', Jordon FARINA 23')
SWQ Thunder FC – 2 (own goal 89’, Kimba KIBOMBO 90+4’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/29B6R1r

Match Officials – David WALSH (referee), Ben COOK (assistant), Patrick DWYER (assistant), Charley MOORE (fourth)