SWQ Thunder ready to face Logan Lightning in FQPL grand final

A tough semi-final has the SWQ Thunder primed for the FQPL grand final - how will they win the game?

GOOD HANDS: South West Queensland Thunder keeper Pierce Clark makes a save in the FQPL men’s semi-final against Mitchelton at Clive Berghofer Stadium. Picture: Kevin Farmer

FOOTBALL: It’s been a long time since SWQ Thunder played final football.

However, the young FQPL squad survived a semi-final baptism of fire last week and they are ready for the decider.

“Logan are physical side,” Thunder coach Ivor Prasad said.

“They’re skifull but also physical at the same time.

“The match against Mitchelton was great preparation.

“They put a lot of pressure on us and committed a lot of fouls, but the boys rose above that and we got the result.

“Our focus was on winninght the battle that mattered the most and that was the one on the scoreboard.

“It will be important that we do that again against Logan.

“Everbody is fit, excited and looking forward to the match,

“I have full confidence in the whole squad.”

The two sides have played twice this season with Logan taking the honours 3-2 in their last encounter after a 2-2 draw earlier in the season.

Logan also won the minor premiership, but the Thunder did hold top spot for large parts of the regular season before finishing in second.

Prasad said his team will need to balance their attacking style with “rock solid defence” if they want to secure a win.

“We finished the season as the best attacking team in terms of goals scored,” he said.

“But they (Logan) were not far behind us.

“Logan’s biggest strength is their ability to score from set pieces - corners, free kicks, even throw-ins close to the penalty area.

“We need to make sure we are rock solid in our defence.

“Ideally we get the job done inside the 90 minutes but we are prepared and ready to battle it out for 120 if we have to.

“We need to be switched on in defence for the entire game and we have to control the midfield battle.

“After that it is a matter of being ruthless in front of goal, when the chances fall our way we have to make sure we take them.

GAME DAY: SWQ Thunder vs Logan Lightning, 7.30pm kick-off, Perry Park (Brisbane)

Originally published as SWQ Thunder ready to face Logan Lightning in FQPL grand final