STRENGTH IN FACE OF ADVERSITY
Thunder coach hails his unbeaten battlers after red cards cruel hopes of victory
FOOTBALL: SWQ Thunder coach Sam Gahan can’t wait to see what his team really looks like.
The FQPL men’s team is unbeaten in its first three games this season but it has been a rollercoaster ride with three draws from as many games.
The ‘rollercoaster’ however is in the nature of how those draws came about.
After taking the lead twice and outplaying their opposition, the Thunder had to settle for a 2-2 draw with Capalaba in round 1.
“I thought we outplayed them right across the park,” Gahan said.
“We controlled the game, played the football we wanted to play and I thought we deserved a win.
“Unfortunately we didn’t convert our chances and two small defensive lapses on our part led to goals for them.
“We took a lot of positives away from the game though – we did a lot of the things we talked about in preseason.”
Up against Surfers Paradise Apollo in round 2, the Thunder led early against the competition favourites before a red card cruelled their plans.
With starting keeper Ben Wood sent to the sheds and their reserve keepers unavailable, the Thunder were forced to bring on winger Jake Stoner in the 30th minute as a standin keeper.
Despite mounting pressure from the Gold Coast side, the Thunder held firm for a 3-3 draw.
The Thunder also saw red, twice this time, in their round 3 clash with Mitchelton FC.
The loss of defenders Mirko Crociati and Wade Hall radically altered the match, which finished 2-2.
“I don’t think we were outplayed in either game,” Gahan said.
“Both times, even after we lost players, we were the same team – we stuck to our structures and played the type of football we set out to play at the start of the season.
“The fact we’re unbeaten through this stretch and played to our strengths is a real positive. There’s going to be challenges through the season but the goal is to improve every game and play the type of football that will push us for promotion.” CHECK OUT THE CHRONICLE’S LIST OF THE FIVE PLAYERS WHO WILL BE KEY TO THE THUNDER’S PROMOTION HOPES ONLINE