Recently-crowned NPL Queensland Premiers Lions FC’s professional display against Adelaide United in last night’s FFA Cup Round of 16 match earned the plaudits of opposition coach Marco Kurz.
Kurz said his team were lucky to escape with the win at Perry Park against an impressive Lions FC who dominated the majority of the game.
“I think Lions from the first second on were the sharper team, they were more aggressive in the duels; I think they were the better team today but that’s football, we are the lucky winners,” Kurz said after the game.
It was Lions who had the majority of possession in the opening stages as Adelaide took their time settling into the game, barely making it out of their own half in the first thirty minutes.
Against the run of play, the visitors found the back of the net in the 31st minute through Craig Goodwin, who netted from close range after a failed clearance from Lions in the only goal of the game.
Lions’ best chances to equalise came after the break, with Jean Carlos Solorzano’s header rebounding off the post before spectators were left to hold their breath as another Solorzano header went painfully close twenty minutes later, hitting the side of the net.
Another golden opportunity went astray when Solorzano nodded on for Jheison Macuace whose shot flew just wide of the post in what could be described as the story of Lions’ night – plenty of chances, but no result.
Lions FC coach Warren Moon said his team did the club proud with their performance against the A-League side, the inaugural winners of the FFA Cup in 2014.
“I’m just really proud of the players, it was an outstanding performance,” Moon said.
“Maybe I’ll feel a tinge of disappointment when we go back in the next few days, but I’m just quite happy; I couldn’t be prouder about the showing we put on against a very good A-League side.”
Words: Elizabeth Lepre
Image: Ian Judd
