Another Shuto Kuboyama hat trick has led Redlands United to their first points of the season with the 4-3 win against Magpies Crusaders on Saturday night.
In the Round 6 stouch, Redlands was under pressure at half time with 0-3 score line. Whilst the possession was strongly on the side of the home team, goals in the 10th minute to Walters, 23rd minute to Lyall and 45th minute to Burgess saw a commanding lead to the Magpies.
It was going take an extra amount of grit against a determined Crusaders to enable any sort of come back. Crusaders have been on the road for all their 2019 games to dates with home games postponed due to weather.
The second half saw a fighting Redlands team take the field, however within minutes Murillo Olivieria was handed a red card. Down to 10 men, it was looking grim for the Devils. With a determination that would make the home crowd proud, the Red Devils took control of the game and opened the scoring just 4 minutes after the red card as Kuboyama bagged his second goal for the season.
With momentum going their way, an interchange at the 64th minute saw Hernando take the field and within 20 secs Redlands had their second score on the board.
Crusaders were looking tired going into the final 20 minutes, and a second goal to Kuboyama in the 72nd had the crowd on the edge of their seats. Moving into defensive play Redlands were keen to hold on to a drawer. The crowd erupted in the 87th when Shuto again found the net, taking his hat trick and sealing the 3 points for the home team.
It was an exciting second half, one that newly appointed senior technical director Graham Ross has not witnessed previously. “I haven’t ever witnessed a come back like it” he said.
“With a man down, the grit these men found was sensational."
Redlands United are away against Western Pride this coming Saturday, March 16. Pride sit just ahead of Redlands on the table with equal points. Get behind the boys and support them this week at Briggs Road.
