Words: Michael Flynn
Additional Reporting & Images: Sam Attwood

A three-goal first-half blitz from Mustafa Jafari has guided SWQ Thunder to a club record 4-0 win over Sunshine Coast FC at Sunshine Coast Stadium.

Jafari's maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues hat-trick lifted his season’s tally to an even dozen and all but sealed the win prior to half-time for Thunder.

However, Korean Hong Soon Im iced the result midway through the second half with a stunning 50 yard strike after spotting Fire goalkeeper Samuel Nickolls off his line.

The four goal margin is Thunder’s largest ever in PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues, but may have been extended further had Xavier Pratt converted a penalty in time added on.

The result also marks just the third clean sheet for Thunder this year and ends a five match winless streak for the Toowoomba club.

For Fire, the defeat is their third straight but they maintain their hold on ninth place in the standings.

Key Moments

6’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Hong Soon Im’s corner is delivered to Thomas Fanning on the edge of the penalty area but his shot saved by Fire goalkeeper Samuel Nickolls

17’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Fanning disposses Fire’s Matthew Lyell before crossing to Mustafa Jafari to tap home at the back post

20’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Alexander Warrilow’s corner kick is met by the head of Drew Jeskey but he can’t keep it down and it goes over the crossbar

28’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Mitchell Tansky delivers a low ball across the edge of the goal area for Jafari to tuck away his second

36’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Jafari gets on to the end of a pass into the penalty area before turning and curling the finish into the corner of the goal

38’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Shoichi Koshimizu looks to pull a goal back from distance but his 30 yard strike is denied by Thunder goalkeeper Jace Hudson

42’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Jeremy Stewart finds himself in space inside Thunder’s penalty area but his stinging shot is palmed away by Hudson

55’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Jafari looks to add to his tally with a shot on the angle but Nickolls is up to task

70’ – GOAL FOR THUNDER – Im spots Nickolls off his line and converts with a spectacular effort from 50 yards out

73’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Jordan Loy’s long throw is headed toward goal by Christopher Jancevski but Hudson is again on hand to make the save

86’ – CHANCE FOR FIRE – Lyell seeks the direct route from a free-kick 30 yards out but it is punched clear by Hudson

90+1’ – CHANCE FOR THUNDER – Jafari is brought down in the penalty area to earn his side a penalty, however Xavier Pratt’s ensuing spot-kick is saved by Nickolls

What They Said

“We’re very happy. We haven’t had a great deal of success on the road. To come up here and hold the Sunshine Coast boys to a clean sheet – we’re more than happy. We’re still a few players down and have been short for a few weeks but the young boys we drafted in clicked for us today.“ – Matthew Erdis, SWQ Thunder FC assistant coach

“The difference was their striker knew what to do and knew how to finish, whereas all season we’ve been struggling in that department. He was the difference – scored a magnificent goal and scored two poachers goals. They cost a lot of money and unfortunately we are not in the league to buy players like that.“ – Sam Saif, Sunshine Coast FC coach

Match Details

PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues 2016 – Round 20

Sunday, August 7
Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast FC – 0
SWQ Thunder FC – 4 (Mustafa JAFARI 17’ 28’ 36’, Hong Soon IM 70’)

Match Centre – http://bit.ly/2apRy6I

Match Officials – Casey REIBELT (referee), Jay HUDSON (assistant), Noah REYNOLDS (assistant), Zac KEENAN (fourth)