LIONS MEN EARN LATE DRAW AGAINST GOLD COAST UNITED AT LUXURY PAINTS STADIUM
Shaun Carlos struck level in stoppage time to secure a deserved 2-2 draw in a physical clash at home.
Under sunny afternoon skies, Gold Coast United made an instant impact to take the lead. A direct glancing header from Chris Lucas inside two minutes showed the visitors’ intent. They had a fresh Grand Final defeat to avenge.
Our Lions Men grew into the game, enduring intensive pressure and physicality from a focused United outfit. We were required to play quickly out from the back as the visitors looked to recover possession immediately, but we showed our threat in transition, catching United out with quick releases into the wide channels.
Alex Fiechtner turned brilliantly with a lateral touch on the edge of the box, hooking a fierce strike wide of the upper right corner. A piercing volley from Jack Skinner was aimed over the crossbar as our Lions Men began to take control of the tempo of play.
Our quick counterattacking prowess proved effective, as we slotted home the equaliser in the 20th minute. Alex Fiechtner hooked a fizzing volley into the central channel, which Luke Broderick ran onto with blistering pace before rolling the ball into the left side of the goal with composure.
19′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Luke Broderick slots home the equaliser after an innovative volleyed through-ball from Alex Fiechtner!!!
𝐋𝐈𝐎 1 – 1 𝐆𝐂𝐔#HeartPridePassion #NPLQLD
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) August 4, 2024
Nadir Naouri almost flipped the scoreline minutes later, forcing a brilliant diving save with a fierce long-range strike. His furious effort looked certain to find the top left corner before a firm hand tipped it onto the woodwork.
We exchanged further blows but entered the break locked at 1-1.
An immediate penalty following the restart saw Chris Lucas put the visitors ahead. We looked for a quick response, but strong efforts from Jackson Hart-Phillips and Luke Broderick were saved with strength by Carlos Saliadarre.
A back-post handball saw our Lions Men awarded a penalty, but Andy Pengelly dragged his spot-kick wide of the bottom left corner.
The GC United defence locked up in the final minutes, and Hassan Ramazani drilled an audacious long-range strike over the crossbar.
Our salvation came in stoppage time, with Pranav Vallabh winning his aerial duel before bursting down the left flank and playing the ball to Shaun Carlos. Our #12 took a measured touch in the centre before driving a piercing shot into the bottom left corner to rescue a rightful draw.
90+1′ | 𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐎𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋𝐋!!!
Shaun Carlos buries a piercing shot into the bottom left corner to break the United resistance 🔥
𝐋𝐈𝐎 2 – 2 𝐆𝐂𝐔#HeartPridePassion #NPLQLD
— Lions F.C. (@lionsfc1) August 4, 2024
It was a highly competitive, physical, and passionate clash at Luxury Paints Stadium, and our Lions Men deservedly took a share in the points with an important result to keep us in third place.
With two games remaining, we can’t afford to put a foot wrong as we fight for second place and a home Semi-Final.
Having won a Queensland Cup Semi-Final last week, a Kappa Pro Series Grand Final on the weekend, and an Australia Cup Round of 32 clash in Perth, our Lions Men showed remarkable character and resilience to fight back and draw at the death.
MATCH DETAILS
NPL Men 2024 Round #20
Lions FC 2 – 2 Gold Coast United
Luxury Paints Stadium, Richlands
NEXT MATCH
NPL Men 2024 Round #21
Lions FC vs. Wynnum Wolves
Luxury Paints Stadium, Richlands
