A SHUTO Kuboyama hat trick has led Redlands United to their first point of the season with the 4-4 draw against South West Queensland Thunder on Saturday night.
At the moment we just haven’t had the roll of the ball.
- Nick Dibbs
Redlands coach Nick Dibbs said while the game was entertaining, his side needed to be consistent.
“I know how dangerous they can be,” Dibbs said. “As I said last week I’m not concerned, the boys aren’t concerned, we leaked a couple of goals again and it was a similar story to last week. “At the moment we just haven’t had the roll of the ball.”
Redlands was able to get their second game of the season off to a better start as they pressured Thunder from the first whistle. The Red Devils controlled the game and opened the scoring after 10 minutes as Kuboyama continued his record of scoring in every game he’s played.
With momentum going their way, Jayden Prasad was next to score, giving the home side an early advantage. Thunder, due to defensive miscommunication, were able to claw their way back into the game with a 10-minute brace.
Redlands tried to put up a fight but Thunder was clinical in their play. It wasn’t all said and done though as Thunder hit back just before halftime to go into the break up 3-2.
The second half saw Thunder come out right from the get go to give themselves a two goal lead, but a defensive error allowed Redlands back into the game after Kuboyama bagged his second goal of the match.
While the rain made the fans run for cover and the umbrellas go up, the action on the field did not stop as both sides looked to hold their possession.
Redlands had the better chance of the half, looking certain to level the score but the Thunder goalkeeper, Reiley Mason was able to hold them out.
Emmanuel Phillip and Travis Cooper from Thunder caused havoc down the left side of the field for Redlands, keeping goalkeeper Andy Ralph on his toes.
Redlands were not about to let Thunder take the three points with them back to Toowoomba. It was not going to be that easy. Dibbs said the character they showed to come back into the game and level it was superb.
“At halftime we had some words, we knew our transition was slow and the shape-shift and recovery could’ve been way better,” he said. “Defend first, score second.”
Scott Bow also made is return to the field in his first game this season after a knee injury. Redlands are at home for the third week as they face Gold Coast on Friday.