Knights v Strikers

Round 24 report by Paul Jefferies
Melbourne Knights v Brisbane Strikers


It was not until the 18th minute that we saw the first half chance in this match when following a corner for the Knights, Daniel Vasilevski followed up on the edge of the box but could not get his shot on target.

Then in the 26th the minute of the game Pelikan with only had the keeper to beat, just took a little to long to shoot and the Brisbane defence cleared for the ball to go out for a corner. The resultant corner lead to the Knights going in front, the corner was missed by the strikers defence and there was Rody Vargas to hit home from just a couple of yards out. The Knights after that goal had the momentum of play coming towards the end of the first half.

1-0 to Melbourne Knights at half time and they just about deserve to be in front. The major threat coming from Rodrigo Vargas down the Brisbane right hand side, apart from a couple of half chances to the strikers the Knights defence has yet again been well marshalled by Andrew Marth .

Brisbane came out well at the start of the second half with a good chance set up in the 57th minute for Royce Brownlie, whose defence splitting ball to Louis Brain almost brought the opening the strikers were looking for, but as through out the match Brisbane could not find that final touch. On the hour mark Karl Dodd fell down in a heap after what seemed an innocent challenge an unfortunately for the Strikers he had to be stretcher off.

Sub David Pilic who came on for the unlucky Dodd was involved in a couple of good Brisbane moves since he came on for the Strikers as they tried to push forward and get something out of this match .As the last quarter of the game approached and Brisbane left big spaces at the back, which the Knights to tried to expose and catch them on the break.

Billy Natsiouilas came on as a sub for the Knights, and as usual is he caused the visitors plenty of problems down their right hand side. For all there pressure from the Strikers the Knights go 2-0 up in the 88th minute with a goal from Serkan Oksuz, who followed up after the ball after it rebounded of the Strikers keeper and Oksuz calmly did the rest.

Brisbane coach Stuart Mclaren was philosophical after the match admitting that Melbourne deserved the points. ³The Knights started brightly and did not allow us to settle but we were a bit more determined in the second half .² he added ³were now sitting fifth but we are far from assured a spot in the finals.²

Once again, it was the younger players that lead the way for the Knights with Serkan Oksuz leading the way with another good performance. Itıs a rare occurrence but it was fully deserved,² Dobson said. ³Itıs probably to late in the season to have any effect, but itıs a sign of the development of the youngsters in our side.

³The Teenagers, Oksuz up front and Adrian Leijer and in defence Steve Pantelidis at the back, were our outstanding players and the development issue is the only satisfaction from a very long season.

This was the Knights first win in five matches and brought much relief to the hame supporters who have not have much to cheer all season.