Olympic Douse Fire At Stockland
Words & Image: Emily Wilson, Sunshine Coast Fire
Reigning NPL Champions Olympic FC have jumped to third position on the NPL Queensland table after defeating Sunshine Coast Fire 2-1 at Stockland Stadium on Sunday.
An early goal from Daniel Byrne opened accounts for Olympic, before Tim Smits sealed the win late in the second half. Fire’s goal came from Matt Needham late in the first half.
Olympic took the lead inside five minutes as Terry Hughes intercepted Luke Varga’s under-hit pass in midfield to find space in front of the Fire backline, the midfielder then delivered an inch-perfect through-ball for Byrne to slot home.
Fire had a chance at an immediate equaliser when Wade Zammit floated a ball over Olympic’s back line for Needham to run through, however Brandon Cuminao’s blocked the shot.
Fire continued to look threatening as Ryan Delahunty caused problems with his pace in behind.
On 37 minutes Varga evaded a series of tackles and took a shot which ricocheted to Needham. As he was about to shoot Matt Mundy lunged and collided with Needham to deny the shot amidst claims for a penalty from Fire.
Olympic claimed of their own when Byrne collided with Arnison in the Fire box. As referee Michael Bozhoff waved play on, Delahunty raced on to a through-ball and his fierce left-foot drive cannoned off the post into the path of Needham to slot home on 45 minutes.
The first 30 minutes of the second half couldn’t separate the sides until striker Tim Smits was added to the contest on 68 minutes.
Within 4 minutes of Smitts’ introduction a deep ball from Ito Kazuya found Jake McLean deep in the Fire area to dance around Zammit and strike at goal – McLean’s shot was blocked on the line by the covering defender Chiharu Kosuge, however the attempted clearance hit Smits and the marksman finished to give Olympic the lead.
Fires’ hopes of an equaliser were hampered as Arnison (hamstring) and Delahunty (concussion) both succumbed to injury.
Fire threw bodies forward to try to salvage a point but despite a flurry of free kicks and corners Olympic held on to record their second straight win and extend their undefeated run to four games.
Sunshine Coast Fire 1 (Matt NEEDHAM 45+1’)
Olympic FC 2 (Danny BYRNE 4’, Tim SMITS 73’)
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