Words: Michael Flynn
Image: Paul Smith/Football Queensland

Redlands United coach Matt Chandler believes conceding an early goal was the unlikely catalyst for his side’s historic PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Grand Final triumph.

The eventual Champions were on the backfoot early in the contest when they went behind inside five minutes to Kieran Sanders' well-taken opener.

However, despite leading for most of the contest, Heat were unable to put the result to bed, allowing Redlands to snatch the title with two goals in the final minutes – including a stunning winner from Michael Lee.

Chandler said the scenario played into the hands of his side’s now-renowned fighting qualities.

“I thought they scored too early, if I’m honest,” Chandler explained, “It was good for them but if we score early we tend not to play as well.”

“I knew at half-time it would help us. There was a goal between us and I knew we would have two or three opportunities.”

“We have players that only need two or three opportunities to score goals - we don’t need four - and tonight Michael Lee proved that.”

The result marks the third comeback for Redlands at Perry Park in just over a month – including their Semi-Final penalty shoot-out win over Brisbane Strikers and their unprecedented 'cupset' against defending Hyundai A-League Champions Adelaide United in the Westfield FFA Cup.

Match-winner Lee said the comebacks are getting to be a happy habit for he and his teammates.

“All year, when we’ve been down at half-time, we’ve always come back and won or given it a good go. We know that we get chances and it’s just about taking them,” Lee explained.

Chandler agreed, saying his side’s determination to play to the final whistle is one of their greatest strengths.

“The game is about playing for 90, 93 or 94 minutes and as you saw against Adelaide in the 93^rd minute we scored. We’re a good team and we play for the duration of the game.”

Chandler’s tactical nous in the final minutes of the match – including moving defender Michael McGowan into an attacking role to push for a goal – was crucial to the triumph.

“I like to involve the squad and some of the substitutions we’ve made in the last four or five games have affected the game. And again tonight, I think they did.”

“Putting Michael (McGowan) up front ruffled them a little bit and allowed Michael (Lee) and (Graham Fyfe) to get into positions where they were effective.”

He added, “We weren’t in it for periods but when we were in the game I think we defined a couple of things that proved the difference.”

Chandler now hopes the heroics of his charges rubs off on the large number of Redlands junior players that attended the match.

“We’re well supported and there’s a lot of our kids here tonight, who will hopefully dream of doing what Michael Lee done in the last minute when they go to bed tonight,” he concluded.

Lee said the players can't help but be affected by the support they receive from the stands.

“The fans are good all the time. We had a good crowd against Adelaide and the same again tonight. I thank everyone for coming out,” Lee explained.

“As soon as we got to two-all and we hear them screaming – it gives you a second lease of life and it got us home tonight."

Redlands fought tooth-and-nail to secure their place in the top four Finals Series - only confirming their spot with a win in their final regular season match.

“This one day out makes the whole year worth it. We’ve had a rollercoaster this year with player injuries and whatever but this is just the icing on top,” Lee concluded.