EXCLUSIVE: Despite a standout performance from A-League target Shannon Cole, Sydney Olympic had to settle for a 1-1 draw with ladder leaders Sutherland at Belmore.
In the NSW Premier League game of the round, Olympic took the lead on 60 minutes after a brilliant Cole free kick caused havoc in the Sharks defence allowing Chris Triantis to stab the ball home.
However Sutherland showed why they went into this game with a 100% record when on 80 minutes Jim Bakis whipped in a dangerous free kick and Brad Boardman nipped in ahead of the Olympic defence to glance his header home for 1-1.
A draw was perhaps the right result in what was ultimately an even encounter. It was however intense, high quality football from two sides who loom as finals favourites this season.
Olympic skipper Peter Zorbas was not a happy man after the game saying his side should've won. Asked if he was happy with a point he replied, “No, not at all. I think at home we always expect to win and going up 1-0 we thought we'd win and then we copped a goal. It was two points dropped.
“That's what happens. They [the Sharks] are a good team and they'll punish you with their quality.”
Opposing coach Brian Brown was happy to keep his side's unbeaten run to four games. “Obviously that's a positive but I wasn't totally satisfied. A few of our guys were a bit down on form tonight and it was disappointing that we allowed Shannon Cole the opportunity from a set piece that they scored from.
“Having said that, we tried to play our passing game and our fitness really showed in the last 10 minutes.”
For the Sharks, defensive duo Pedrag Bojic and George Souris excelled while for Olympic, Peter Zorbas impressed with another all-action performance, as did the exciting Shannon Cole and the returning to full fitness Anthony Hartshorn.
It's believed at least two A-League coaches were at this game although John Kosmina wasn't one of them. He's flown home to Adelaide.
In other news, Olympic will appeal the five week sentence given to striker Matt Mayora after he was red-carded in round three at Marconi.
And the club continues to wait for the international transfer clearance of Jordanian international Siraj Al-Tall. It's understood the striker may be eligible to play the week after the upcoming Easter break.
However Sutherland showed why they went into this game with a 100% record when on 80 minutes Jim Bakis whipped in a dangerous free kick and Brad Boardman nipped in ahead of the Olympic defence to glance his header home for 1-1.
A draw was perhaps the right result in what was ultimately an even encounter. It was however intense, high quality football from two sides who loom as finals favourites this season.
Olympic skipper Peter Zorbas was not a happy man after the game saying his side should've won. Asked if he was happy with a point he replied, “No, not at all. I think at home we always expect to win and going up 1-0 we thought we'd win and then we copped a goal. It was two points dropped.
“That's what happens. They [the Sharks] are a good team and they'll punish you with their quality.”
Opposing coach Brian Brown was happy to keep his side's unbeaten run to four games. “Obviously that's a positive but I wasn't totally satisfied. A few of our guys were a bit down on form tonight and it was disappointing that we allowed Shannon Cole the opportunity from a set piece that they scored from.
“Having said that, we tried to play our passing game and our fitness really showed in the last 10 minutes.”
For the Sharks, defensive duo Pedrag Bojic and George Souris excelled while for Olympic, Peter Zorbas impressed with another all-action performance, as did the exciting Shannon Cole and the returning to full fitness Anthony Hartshorn.
It's believed at least two A-League coaches were at this game although John Kosmina wasn't one of them. He's flown home to Adelaide.
In other news, Olympic will appeal the five week sentence given to striker Matt Mayora after he was red-carded in round three at Marconi.
And the club continues to wait for the international transfer clearance of Jordanian international Siraj Al-Tall. It's understood the striker may be eligible to play the week after the upcoming Easter break.
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