By Caleb Mitchell

Canberra Olympic handed Canberra FC their first loss of the season on Sunday afternoon thanks to Michael John’s first-half strike at Deakin.

Canberra FC began the first half strong and created a number of chances, including an early set piece that struck the upright from a deflection, before Daniel Subasic came just as close seven minutes later.

But the visitors converted what was essentially their first chance of the match as Dom Giampaolo fed John in on goal and he made no mistake to rifle the ball home and stun the home side with the early lead.

Giampaolo himself came close shortly after, but was unable to steer Daniel Colbertaldo’s cross on target from out on the left wing.

Josh Calabria and Tom McLachlan were booked late on in the half as the game picked up a notch, but there would be no change in scoreline at the break.

John created a good chance of his own eight minutes into the second half once the game opened up but was unable to convert, and four minutes later Angelo Konstantinou was forced to deny Canberra FC’s Ryan Keir as he raced into the penalty area with the ball.

The emotion in the match grew a little as time wore on and yellow cards were not hard to come by at Deakin as a number of players were booked in the last 25 minutes.

Michael Taurasi came close with eight minutes remaining but was unable to meet a cross and Konstantinou cleared, before Matthew Waters fired over when one-on-one with Konstantinou in the dying stages of the game.

Olympic held on to finish one-nil winners and will enjoy the week off to rest up before facing Monaro in two weeks, while Paul Macor’s men turn their attention to Saturday’s Federation Cup final against Gungahlin United.