KPS Semi-Final, NPLW R19
Our Kappa Pro Series run ended in a humbling 4-0 Semi-Final defeat on the Gold Coast, while our Lionesses continued their untouchable form with a comprehensive 3-0 victory in Mitchelton.
LIONS VS GOLD COAST KNIGHTS: KAPPA PRO SERIES SEMI-FINAL
The Knights stormed our Lions in Carrara on a disappointing night that saw us outmatched from the first kick. The result saw our Kappa Pro Series run end in the Semi-Final.
The debut of our beautiful Dutch-inspired 1988 Euros winning away jersey did not go to plan when we travelled up the M1 to face Gold Coast Knights on Friday night.
A diving save from Aiden Munford within the first 10 seconds sent an early warning shot before Brown set the tone with an opening goal within sixty seconds.
On his return, Aiden Munford was called on to make an excellent diving save from a narrow angle before Ryo Ono created our first sign of life in the tenth minute. Cutting in on his right foot, Ryo lashed a fearsome outside-boot strike that hooked in & out, forcing a strong arm from the keeper.
The Knights capitalised on their blistering start, forcing an error in the box and slipping a second goal beyond the reach of Munford. Three minutes later, Poljak scored an identical freekick from last year, curling a dead ball into the top left corner and beyond Aiden’s outstretched palm.
We relied on Munford and the instinct of our defenders to keep the score at three-nil heading into the break while our attack tried desperately to turn our favour in the final third.
Our hosts made it four before the hour mark in a game guided by misfortune and distress. While the Knights pulled off one of their best performances in recent history, we, in contrast, endured one of our worst.
Despite the result, our Lions Men are resilient, and our work this season is far from finished.
HT: LIO 0-3 GCK
FT: LIO 0-4 GCK
LIONS VS MITCHELTON: NPL WOMEN
Our Lions Women continued their invincible form, securing a predominant victory over Mitchelton on the road.
In our first match since defeating Mitchelton in extra-time of the Kappa Women’s Super Cup Semi-Final, our Lionesses seized control in a composed 3-0 victory.
Tegan Riding emphasised a fast start from our Lionesses, slotting home within the first ten minutes to give us the lead on the road. By the twentieth minute, she forced a desperate fingertip save after attempting to catch the keeper stranded from 30 yards.
Amy Gunston nodded wide at the back post before Tara O’Keeffe recovered possession in midfield, driving into the opposition box after beating her defender and forcing a diving save at the back post.
We went into the break narrowly ahead in a game that saw us dominate chance creation in the final third.
We restarted the second half with identical intent, with Tiarna Karambasis slotted home into the bottom corner to finish an intricate team move after a lengthy spell of possession.
Corner after corner fell our way as we snuffed out any chance of a goal from the hosts before Tegan Riding wrapped up the game in style. Picking up the ball on the left flank, Riding embarked on a driving run down the left, darting along the byline before tucking the ball inside the near post.
This win sees us maintain our seven-point gap atop the NPL Queensland table.
Goalscorers:
7’, 82’ | Tegan Riding
51’ | Tiarna Karambasis
HT: LIO 1-0 MIT
FT: LIO 3-0 MIT
Follow our Instagram & Facebook pages to see the full post-match interview from Rob Askew & Darren Sime.
