Olympic FC finally get their 2022 NPL Queensland campaign underway at Goodwin Park against Brisbane City on Saturday night (7pm KO).
After the weather wreaked havoc on the opening month of the 2022 season two clubs who were both affected by the devastation caused by the South East Queensland floods meet in Saturday’s Round 4 clash.
Olympic have made a number of exciting additions including Keegan Jelacic, Takeru Okada, Zac Kierpal. Taira Yoshimura and Jack Meredith ahead of what shapes up to be another big season at Goodwin Park.
Ben Cahn enters his fifth season at the helm looking to maintain his 100% opening day win record with another three points to kick off the 2022 season.
City make their return to the NPL at the same ground they were relegated at in 2020 having gone through last season’s FQPL season undefeated to bounce straight back into Queensland’s top flight.
Matt Smith’s side have added Peninsula Power and Gold Coast Knights captain’s Luke Plummer and Roman Hofmann to their squad alongside Jackson Simpkin, who returns to City after several seasons with Young Roar.
LAST TIME WE MET
Olympic and City played out a thrilling 3-3 draw at Goodwin Park on the final day of the 2020 NPL Queensland season.
Olympic raced out to an early two-goal lead thanks to a pair of stunning strikes from Costa Psaros and Takeru Okada before City who needed three points to avoid relegation clawed their way back into the contest with goals from Alex Simmons and Shannon Brady who has since made the move to Goodwin Park.
Costa Psaros reinstated Olympic’s lead with his second of the night in the 80th minute before Matt Smith nodded home an equaliser in the dying stages of contest in a crazy night at Goodwin Park.
Olympic and City have met 17 times in NPL Queensland action with Olympic grabbing 12 wins, City taking four and the final match of the 2020 season being the only draw between the sides.
The 3-3 draw on the final day of the 2020 season was the only time Olympic have dropped points against City in Ben Cahn era.
WHAT WAS SAID: Ben Cahn Head Coach
“It’s very exciting to be back for another season and to finally have it underway, what better way to kick the season off than a derby against Brisbane City in front of a packed Goodwin Park!
“Whilst it’s been a tough pre-season for most clubs, and the disrupted nature of it means we don’t truly know where we are at just yet, we’re all excited to be back and playing a league game this weekend.
“The players have been great in training and we’re confident and ready to give it everything.
“The competition is stronger than ever this year. The introduction of promotion and relegation in 2018 has seen it get better and better every year and there are more teams than ever pushing for a top four finish now.
“On their day, everyone can take points off anyone so we will have to be at our best every week.
“The recent losses of Zac Anderson and Jack Glover leave a big hole but I’m very excited about the team we have and very confident that we can adapt and continue to push at the top end of the table.
“I’d like to thank all the existing sponsors and supporters for continuing on the journey with us and all the new sponsors and supporters for joining us on the ride.
“We’ll be doing everything we can to bring success, excitement and entertainment to Goodwin Park in 2022.”
MATCH DETAILS
NPL Queensland 2022 – Round 4: Olympic FC v Brisbane City
Goodwin Park, Yeronga
Saturday, 19 March (7pm KO)
HOW TO WATCH
You can catch every match of the 2022 NPL Queensland season LIVE & FREE on FQTV or the Football Queensland YouTube channel.
Follow along on the Olympic FC Facebook, Twitter & Instagram pages for live updates throughout the match.
LIVE STREAM: OLYMPIC FC v BRISBANE CITY
