On the night football came home, the Brisbane Strikers put on a superb display in the 1-1 draw with Sydney Olympic. Brisbane will perhaps feel they should have got more from the game, in which they dominated large periods. 

Sydney Olympic, for their part, were very solid in defence, led by their captain Ante Juric. They will certainly be happy with the away draw, against a well-organised and creative Brisbane side.

Early on Olympic pressed Brisbane, as the Strikers were finding their feet in the new environment. In the 2nd minute of the match, Jim Bakis was left free in the Brisbane area; he hit a cross-goal shot which went just wide of the post. 

Opportunities in the first twenty-five minutes were few and far between, due to both defences being very well organised. As the game went on, the Strikers began to feel more comfortable in their new surroundings and they began to come forward from some good build up play. However, clear cut chances were still hard to come by.

In the 27th minute, a long throw from Pedrag Bojic, near the Brisbane corner flag, was only partly cleared by Karl Dodd. The ball fell to Pablo Cardozo, and his weak shot trickled past the post. It proved to be Cardozo’s only significant contribution to the match, as Brisbane’s excellent marking kept him quiet. A minute later Denis Alilovic, who grew in confidence throughout the match, skipped past Peter Grierson and hit a tame shot straight into the waiting arms of Jason Kearton. 

Brisbane’s set pieces were causing trouble for the Olympic defenders, and in the 30th minute a long throw by Shane Stefanutto saw Josh McCloughan’s header well saved by Peco Trajcevski. Brisbane’s excellent passing in midfield was forcing Olympic to defend in numbers. In the 32nd minute, after some beautiful one touch passing down the left, the ball was played inside to Dodd; he delivered an excellent through ball to David Pilic in the area. Pilic met the ball on the volley, and his well taken shot cruelly struck the post. It was the best chance of the match so far. 

Once again Brisbane’s ability to be dangerous from set pieces was seen in the 46th minute. Stuart McLaren rose to meet Stefanutto’s corner, his well placed header hit the post for the second time in the match, but the follow up shot was blasted high over the bar.

The first half saw Olympic fly out of the starting blocks with some good early moments. However as the game went on, Brisbane started to press forward more and more. Brisbane ended the half the stronger, and was unlucky to not be in the lead. Both teams were very good in defence and the quality of football was of a good standard. The Strikers were spreading the play very well, with incisive passing and good movement. Olympic were relying on their three, very skillful, centre midfielders to get them forward. 

The crowd was in fine voice during the first half and the beat of the samba added a South American flavour to the atmosphere. Even though there were few goal-scoring opportunities, the fans were impressed with the first half performance.

Brisbane began the second half exactly were they had left off in the first. In the 48th minute, after some intricate passing, the Strikers won a free kick on the corner of the 18-yard box. Pilic crossed a beautiful ball into the area, which McLaren headed just wide of the post. 

Brisbane was in complete control, while Olympic couldn’t get out of their own half. The mounting pressure paid off in the 54th minute. Dodd played a delightful ball through the middle to Matthew McKay. McKay brought it forward, but was upended 25 yards from goal. >From the resulting free kick, David Pilic touched the ball forward, Grierson stopped it, and Pilic struck a divine shot, which hit the inside of the right hand post and flew into the back of the net. Delirium hit Perry Park; as Brisbane Strikers were up 1-0. For the next ten minutes Brisbane was in full control, and it seemed as though nothing could stop them from recording a victory. 

But in the 63rd minute shock resonated throughout Perry Park. The first time, in the second half that Olympic got into the Brisbane area, Jim Bakis chipped Jason Kearton from 12 yards out. The ball bounced into the goal and Olympic was on level terms. The goal, completely against the run of play, shell shocked the Brisbane Strikers. Olympic grew in confidence after the goal, and had more of the possession. 

Brisbane brought on Warren Moon for Matthew McKay just after the goal and Moon slotted into the same position occupied by McKay for his debut in the NSL. Brisbane slowly began to get back into the match, however it was not the free flowing football seen earlier in the half. The 77th minute saw Michael Baird come on for Pablo Cardozo, and he received a 'warm' welcome from the Brisbane crowd. Soon after, the goal scorer, Pilic, was taken off for Louis Brain. The substitutes failed to spark any new life into the game, as both defences reigned supreme.

In an effort to press forward for a winner, Brisbane lost the ball in the Olympic half and was caught on the break. Michael Baird took the ball forward, but his shot went well over the bar. Time was running out for the Strikers, and they began to press forward more and more. In the 88th minute, Louis Brain took the ball down the right hand side. He hit a low cross which was only half cleared to Joshua Rose. Rose’s shot was deflected straight to Luke Morley on the edge of the six yard box. Unfortunately for the home team, Pedrag Bojic cleared Morley’s shot off the line. It proved to be Brisbane’s best opportunity to win the game. 

The match ended soon after, and Brisbane will feel the result was a little unjust after the excellent performance. Olympic worked hard for the draw and proved that even with the exodus of the off-season; they still had a team worthy of a place in the NSL finals series. Brisbane played some tremendous football, especially early on in the second half. The defensive problems of last season have been rectified and the free flowing football played was a delight to watch. Stuart McLaren and Luciano Trani have done a wonderful job in putting this football side together. If the team continues in this manner, a top six position beckons.

The move to Perry Park was a complete success. The team was superb, and the crowd was full of passion. The atmosphere around the ground was electric, and there is no doubt that transcended to the players. The intimate feel of Perry Park, and the Strikers’ supporters' undeniable love for their team has contributed greatly in creating the special atmosphere felt at the game. Football has truly come home.

Jason Kearton 7 – Made all the saves that had to be made. Inspired confidence into his defence. Cannot be at fault for the goal. 

Karl Dodd 8 – Oozed confidence as sweeper. Defended superbly in one on one situations, and snuffed out most Olympic breaks. Some excellent passing from defence.

Stuart McLaren 7 – Worked extremely hard at centre back. Did make some errors at the back. All in all a solid performance.

Josh McCloughan 7 – Solid at the back. Came forward at set pieces and proved dangerous. Work rate was excellent.

Shane Stefanutto 8 – Superb going forward, as well as in defence. Tireless throughout the game. Got wide on a few occasions and caused problems on the left. Never forgot his defensive duties.

Steve Fitzsimmons 7 – Had a tough time marking Ishida, which allowed him limited opportunities to get forward. Defended admirably and when he did come forward proved to be dangerous.

Peter Grierson 9 – An all round polished performance by the Strikers captain. Led by example in the middle. Excellent tackling, and superb distribution of the ball. Some very small errors, but very much rectified by his technical and tactical ability. The true star of the night.

David Pilic 8 – Worked extremely hard in defence and attack. Was everywhere on the pitch. Scored a very well taken free kick. Proved very dangerous at taking set pieces. Substituted in the 78th minute.

Matthew McKay 7 – Some nice running from midfield. Very good touches in the first half and some nice through balls. Perhaps tired in the second half, earned the free kick that led to the goal. Substituted in 63rd minute.

Luke Morley 7 – Excellent work rate. Did very well in helping out the defence. Got in some good wide positions. Could have won the match for Brisbane, unlucky not to do so.

Joshua Rose 6 – Ran very hard all game. Unfortunately just lacked that killer instinct in front of goal. Always lurking around the area.

Warren Moon 6 – Came on in the 63rd minute. Didn’t receive much ball. Some good off the ball running.

Louis Brain 7 – Came on in the 78th minute. Some good runs down the right hand side. Integrated well into the team.

Peco Trajcevski 7 – Made one brilliant save which seemed to be heading to the top corner. A Little shaky with set pieces.

Ante Juric 8 – Very solid at the back. Left nothing get past him, some real no nonsense defending. The lynchpin of Olympic’s defence.

Paul Kohler 7 – A good overall performance. Allowed little room for the opposing players. Was beaten once for pace, but recovered well.

Ivan Karlovic 7 – Defended very tight on his man. Let very little go through him. A solid performance.

Pedrag Bojic 7 – Went forward very little, perhaps due to Ishida’s constant forward running. Defended bravely. Made an important clearance off the line towards the end of the game.

Hiroyuki Ishida 7 – Full of forward running. Did beat his man on some occasions, but was kept fairly quiet by Brisbane’s defence.

Joseph Schrippa 8 – Very good incisive passing and excellent running off the ball. Did very well on his Olympic debut.

Zenon Caravella 8 – Good movement off the ball, and some silky skills. Caused havoc going forward. Filled the gap left by Tom Pondeljak. Substituted in 72nd minute.

Denis Ailiovic 8 – Took a while to find his feet, but once he did full of good forward running. Very skillful. Left some Brisbane players for dead on a few occasions. Linked well with Schrippa and Caravella.

Jim Bakis 8 – Very good movement off the ball. Some good quick touches. Took his chance extremely well. Won a point for Olympic.

Pablo Cardozo 6 – Allowed very little space by Brisbane’s defenders. Had a quiet night by his standards. Substituted in 77th minute.

Michael Baird 6 – Came on in the 77th minute. Had little time to influence the match. One shot of note, which flew over the bar.

Iain Fyfe 6 – Came on in 72nd minute. Worked well in midfield. Little going forward of note.