Redlands United have prevailed in a heart-stopping penalty shoot-out at Perry Park against Brisbane Strikers to advance to their first ever PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Grand Final.
Redlands midfielder Graham Fyfe struck the deciding penalty in the shoot-out after the bayside club remained locked with this year’s Premiers at 1-1 after extra time.
Earlier, Strikers took a single goal lead into half-time on the back of Trent Clulow’s opener, which came after star striker Rhys Meredith succumbed to injury in the opening minute of the match.
However, Fyfe delivered Redlands a stunning volleyed equaliser shortly after the hour to force the match into extra time.
The result marks the third time in four years Strikers have been defeated in a PlayStation 4 NPL Queensland Semi-Final.
Redlands will now face FNQ Heat in the Grand Final next Saturday at Perry Park – the match marking the first time in the competition’s four-year history the Premiers have not contested the end-of-season showpiece.
Redlands women draw with UQ
Redlands United FC Women secured their first point of 2016 as they ended their season with a 0-0 draw against University of Queensland Women.
Neither side was able to score in the rescheduled fixture as the goalkeepers held sway for over the course of the 90 minutes.
Redlands custodian Jessica Anderson proved the star for the visitors – delivering a crucial penalty save with 15 minutes remaining to ensure her side’s first ever clean sheet in the competition. The draw breaks a run of 19 straight defeats for the bottom-placed Redlands in a disappointing return from their maiden PlayStation 4 National Premier Leagues Women’s campaign. UQFC finish the season in ninth place.
