Brisbane Strikers 3 - 2 Olympic FC (after extra time)

Brisbane Strikers earned the right to host and progressed to the 2009 Hyundai QSL Grand Final after overcoming a two goal deficit to beat Olympic FC in one of the most exciting QSL encounters in the league's short history.

Two early goals from Brad Lacey and Alex Panic put Olympic in the driving seat, but Strikers kept the pressure on their cross-town rivals and managed to claw back a goal with 15 minutes to go through Michael Butters.

Olympic's hopes of progressing straight to the Grand Final were dealt a blow when Adam Webber netted the all-important equaliser for the Strikers three minutes into injury time, forcing the game into two 15 minute periods of extra time.

Strikers again had the better chances, and it was Butters again who found the back of the net with almost an identical goal to his first - a header off a Warren Moon delivery, sending the Perry Park faithful into raptures.

Sunshine Coast FC 0 - Redlands City Devils 2

Redlands City Devils will meet Olympic FC in the Hyundai QSL Preliminary Final following their 2-0 victory over Sunshine Coast FC.

Redlands' Wayne Knipe opened the scoring after twenty minutes with a spectacular shot that sailed off his left foot into the top corner of Sunshine Coast FC 'keeper Antony Hall's goal. 

Sunshine Coast dominated possession and had the better chances in the second half, but could not find their goal-scoring touch.

Redlands doubled their lead with fifteen minutes to go after Chris Bale pounced on a chest down from teammate Russell Woodruffe and the game was all but over.

Hyundai QSL Semi-Finals Results

 

Major Semi-Final: Brisbane Strikers 3 (Michael Butters 72', 117', Adam Webber 90+3') - Olympic FC 2 (Brad Lacey 21', Alex Panic 46')

 

Knock-out Semi-Final: Sunshine Coast FC 0 - Redlands City Devils 2 (Wayne Knipe 21', Chris Bale 77')

Words: Michelle Tobin

Picture: www.offsidephotos.com.au