Words: Matt Dorman, Olympic FC
Image: Keith Eigeland, Football Queensland

Harimau Muda 'A' has its claimed its biggest scalp to date, defeating a ten-man Olympic FC 2-1 at Goodwin Park on Saturday night.

All three goals were scored in the opening half with Saarvindran Devandrn and Nazirul Naim Che Hasim netting for the visitors while Danny Byrne converted a penalty for the defending premiers.

The early stages of the contest were lively though without great incident, until the opening goal in the 18th minute.

Ferris Danial Mat Nasir had the initial chance for Harimau Muda 'A' - the Malaysia U23 National Team - when he raced onto a defence-splitting through ball but Olympic 'keeper Ryan Meskell made a sharp save, only to see Devandrn tuck away the rebound.

The visitors' closing down in midfield began to properly stifle Olympic's creative midfield following the opener and the determination of both sides restricted true chances.

Olympic FC did find a way back into the match late in the first half, however, when the assistant referee flagged for a foul on Terry Hughes inside the penalty area.

Captain Danny Byrne stepped up and sneaked home the equaliser despite a hand from Mohd Farhan Abu Bakar.

The spririted guests wouldn't be denied their half-time lead though as they broke forward deep into stoppage time and spread the ball left to Che Hasim, who drove a hot left-footed effort across Meskell and, despite the 'keeper's touch, into the bottom far corner.

Olympic, trailing 2-1, had its task grow even greater in difficulty just 10 minutes after the restart.

Defender Matt Mundy was given his marching orders for a second yellow card, meaning the premiers were down a man with over half an hour remaining.

The move of Darren Gray from midfield to defence meant Olympic remained stable at the back, albeit without opportunity at the other end.

A pair of quality efforts on goal greeted the 75-minute mark as first Mohamad Ridzuan Abdunloh Pula and then Terry Hughes fizzed efforts narrowly wide of their respective top corners.

Harimau Muda 'A' should have had a third to seal the affair in the 79th minute when Mat Nasir nodded wide a clear opening.

Matt Byrne then had one final chance for Olympic FC five minutes from time but the fullback could only divert Kazuya Ito's cross straight into the chest of Abu Bakar, meaning full time was reached with the visitors' 2-1 lead intact.

The result was a second NPL Queensland victory for Harimau Muda 'A', one which consigned the defending champions to a second straight defeat.

Olympic FC 1 (Danny BYRNE 44'pen)
Harimau Muda 'A' 2 (Saarvindran DEVANDRN 18', Nazirul Naim CHE HASHIM 45')