GCPL: Henrique is starting to shine for Coomera after their 3-2 victory over Southport

He’s a former A-League grand final winner and now he’s taking centre stage on the Gold Coast. READ THE FULL REPORT

THE Henrique show is up and running and coming to a Gold Coast football field near you.

Regarded as one of the biggest recruitment coups in Gold Coast Premier League history, the three-time A-League grand final winner put on a clinic on Saturday, kicking two goals in Coomera’s 3-2 victory over Southport at Viney Park.

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Although disappointed at conceding two second-half goals, Colts coach Steve Macdonald couldn’t help but marvel at his Brazilian star who combined with Michael Townsend to guarantee Coomera victory.

Henrique De Silva scores a goal for Coomera against Southport during their GCPL soccer match at Viney Park, Coomera. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

“We’re pretty lucky to be able to watch him here on the Gold Coast where you don’t have to pay to come and see him,” Macdonald said.

“Quite a few people turned out to watch him live so it’s a great thing for us and the Gold Coast.”

But while his front half was functioning on Saturday, Macdonald warned his side couldn’t afford to keep relying on their stars to fire.

Coomera conceded four goals in their previous game against Palm Beach, meaning defence is at the forefront of Macdonald’s mind.

“The message at half time was to keep a clean sheet which I was desperate for but we’ve been conceding a lot of goals of late which is unlike us,” he said.

“I didn’t think we were great in the first half.

“We wanted a reaction from last week and we managed to get over the line thanks to some magic from a few individuals and there’s going to come a time where that doesn’t work but we know we can step it up a fair bit.

“A lot of people are now talking about us now that we’re getting to the stage that we want to be and the boys are struggling to deal with that expectation but they are the ones who have put themselves here so we need to meet it head-on.”

Junji Yasuda in action for Coomera against Southport's Mackenzie Woodward during their GCPL soccer match at Viney Park, Coomera. Photograph : Jason O'Brien

In other Premier League results, Palm Beach drew 3-all with Surfers Paradise, Nerang defeated Broadbeach United 3-2 and Burleigh got their first win of 2020 with a 2-1 win over Robina.