Daal Screamer Wins it for North Queensland

A left-foot screamer by perennial second half substitute Dyron Daal has secured North Queensland FC a deserved inaugural home victory over Perth Glory in Townsville this evening. North Queensland's habit of conceding cheap first half goals continued as Dutchman Victor Sikora scored for Perth in the 25th minute. A sense of 'this is all too familiar' clouded Dairy Farmers Stadium as Perth took their 1-0 lead to the half-time break.

Notorious for securing results in the second half, North Queensland came out of the half-time break a much better outfit and asked plenty of questions of the Perth defence. Star striker Robbie Fowler scored his sixth goal of the season on 65 minutes with a cheeky quick free kick which lifted the spirits of the home faithful. Minutes later coach Ian Ferguson emptied his bench by bringing on big Netherlands Antilles international Dyron Daal. Daal has been an impressive contributor off the bench in recent weeks, but tonight would be his most significant contribution for a club desperately looking to stay in touch with the rest of the competition.

Daal began on the right before moving up forward alongside Robbie Fowler. On 71 minutes, with his second touch of the game Daal received the ball in the penalty box. He turned onto his left foot before unleashing a left-foot drive past Perth goalkeeper Tando Velaphi which sent the green-clad stands into delirium. His goal was just reward for his recent performances and handed North Queensland hope of a first home win. The Greens held on to the 2-1 advantage and secured their first ever home victory - a deserved result and badly needed for the club's off-field credibility as well.

Daal is on a short-term contract replacing Karl Dodd. Once Dodd regains his fitness, it remains to be seen what will happen to Daal although I think he would be a loss for North Queensland. His chances of securing a full-time deal in the A-League have surely increased thanks to his history-making strike this evening.

In the other match of the evening, Thai international Sutee Suksomkit made his debut for Melbourne Victory in their 3-1 defeat of Adelaide United in front of more than 21,000 fans.

North Queensland pick up first A-League point

North Queensland FC picked up its first A-League point in yesterday evening's entertaining 3-3 draw with Adelaide United, however it could and probably should have been the club's first ever victory. Adelaide, however, amazingly almost snatched victory in the 93rd minute through a misdirected Cristiano header in what would have been another huge blow to the new A-League side. Australian football fans can breathe a sigh of relief that the A-League strugglers have finally picked up a point, but perhaps more importantly played decent football and outplayed an opponent for long periods of a match.

North Queensland perhaps surprisingly opened the scoring in the 5th minute through a composed Robbie Fowler finish. Fowler sweetly met fellow Englishman James Robinson's cross leaving Hindmarsh Stadium stunned. The Greens' habit of surrending cheap goals continued however, as defending and goalkeeping errors let in Reds pair Lucas Pantelis and Lloyd Owusu to claim the lead for Adelaide heading into half-time.

The second half belonged to North Queensland as Adelaide looked disjointed and struggled to move forward with real purpose. Ufuk Talay and Rostyn Griffiths both hit the post before big Netherlands Antilles international Dyron Daal gave the Townsville-based club a deserved equaliser in the 84th minute. Striker Daniel McBreen gave North Queensland the lead in the 87th minute with a bullet header. Adelaide, quite frankly, did not look like making a comeback until Daal bizarrely handled the ball in the Adelaide box in injury time. Pantelis obligingly scored from the spot, no doubt shattering the dreams of North Queensland fans for a first A-League win.

The talking point of the match has been Dyron Daal's bizarre injury time handball. Was it a foul by Reds defender Robert Cornthwaite? Was Daal pushed? What were Daal's hands doing up there in the first place? I do think Daal was fouled by Cornthwaite, but what Daal did was indeed very conspicuous and clumsy especially given his height. I feel for North Queensland and Daal. North Queensland were impressive and did not deserve to be robbed of their first A-League victory in such cruel circumstances, and Daal looked useful coming off the bench. Hopefully North Queensland can collect their first victory soon with Daal redeeming himself by being a big part of it.

In the other A-League match of the evening, defending champions Melbourne Victory continued their shocking record in Western Australia, succumbing 2-1 to an improving Perth Glory outfit.