Bulldogs In Finals Hunt As Azzawi Stars
Capalaba Bulldogs 4 (Azzawi 55' pen, 66' pen, 88', 90+3')
Peninsula Power 0 HT 0-0
Played at John Fredericks Park
A second half four goal salvo from striker Ahamad Azzawi handed the Bulldogs a deserved victory at home over Peninsula Power on Saturday night. It was the second time this season that the Bullodgs had earned two spot kicks in a game against Saturday's opponents, with Azzawi also netting both on their previous outing when Peninsula ran out 3-2 winners in Round 6. This time it was a different outcome and one that sees Capalaba very much back in the hunt for a top four berth. Both sides entered into this contest with key personnel missing. The visitors were without first choice keeper Jake Reesby who's recovering from a broken hand and who could be out for the remainder of the season. Whilst the Bulldogs had Yuji Hirayama (ribs) and Sam Fellows recovering on the sidelines; Fellows as a result of a car accident earlier in the week. The first half belonged to the visitors in what was a scrappy opening period devoid of many clear cut opportunities. Kado Aoci guilty of squandering the best chance of the half when he was fortunate to receive the ball back from the Bulldogs defence after a run into the box, only to send his fierce strike from eight yard out, flying high over the bar and last seen heading towards Old Cleveland Road and the nearby shops. Capalaba's Liam Fisher was spared his blushes when he went close to deflecting in a powerful André Bonotto strike midway through the half. The ball flashing narrowly wide of Chandler's goal. Aoci had a shout for a penalty soon after but on careful deliberation, Referee Carl Harper waved away his appeals. A scoreless first half was soon forgotten as the game sprung to life ten minutes after the restart.
Ahamad Azzawi with the first spot kick that put Capalaba ahead early in the second half. A surging run from impressive right back Andrew Thompson saw Matt Sauer mistime his challenge and bring down the Bulldogs defender. Azzawi stepped up to send Brad Burrows the wrong way.
Capalaba's Ahamad Azzawi is brought down by Power's Josh Ahern for the Bulldogs second penalty.
Shortly after the hour mark Referee Harper had no choice to again point to the spot. This time Azzawi was the beneficiary when entering the box and bearing down on goal before being scythed down by Josh Ahern who, once back on his feet, was shown a straight red for his indiscretion. Azzawi wrong footing Burrows by burying his spot kick into the opposite corner of the goal to the earlier one. The Bullodgs put the game to bed in the 88th minute. James Fairgrieve, in trying to play the ball out from the back, instead hit his pass straight to David Kai on the edge of the box who unselfishly laid the ball off into Azzawi's path as he raced into the area before calmly planting the ball past Burrows to record his hat trick. Deep into added time, the Japanese marksman put the icing on the cake with the best goal of the game. From the edge of the box he struck the ball with the outside of his right boot, curling it into the top left corner to cap off a memorable night for himself and the Capalaba faithful. It was no more than the home side deserved as they dominated the second term, largely built upon a solid back line that closed down everything Power tried to muster. In truth, Sam Chandler in the Capalaba goal didn't have a save to make all night as Power again looked a disjointed side on a number of occasions. Charles Mendy, despite looking assured on the ball and willing to take on defenders, seemingly lacking when near to goal. Both sides were guilty of cheap turnovers but with Azzawi, Capalaba had that spark of brilliance that ultimately earned them victory. The three points for Geoff Hurford's side lifting them into 5th on the ladder, above Power on goal difference. It was a vital win for the Bulldogs as defeat would have seen them struggling to make the top four with just five rounds remaining. Next weekend Capalaba face a tricky trip to Albany Creek whilst Power's season hangs in the balance when Mitchelton head to AJ Kelly Park. It becomes a must win game if Aaron Philp's side plan to make it to a fourth Grand Final in succession.
FB Media Player Of The Match: #10 Ahamad Azzawi - Capalaba Bulldogs
It's a little hard to look beyond the four goal Japanese striker and despite two of his goals being spot kicks, the Capalaba front man's work rate was faultless. The Bulldogs will be hard presses to keep him at John Fredericks Park next season, especially with him now firm favourite to take out the Golden Boot at the end of the season.
Team line-ups
Capalaba Bulldogs: Chandler (gk), Azzawi, Coulson, Dunn, Fields, Fisher, Roby (Kai 70'), Smith (Williams 75'), Thompson, Watt, Wemyss. Subs: Jones (rgk), Kai, Askew, Booth, Williams (Askew 82').
Peninsula Power: Burrows (gk), Ahern, Aoci, Austin (Feuerriegel 55'), Bonotto, Fairgrieve, Holden, McEvoy, Mendy, Sauer (Salin 67'), Strickland. Subs: Marinelli (rgk), Salin, Buhmann, Feuerriegel, Kawakami, Cormack.
FB Media Match Stats.
Possession: 1st Half 45% - 55% / 2nd Half 55% - 45%
Overall Possession: 50% - 50%
Shots on target: 3 - 2
Shots off target: 6 - 5
Penalties 2 - 0
Free kicks: 7 - 8
Offside: 3 - 2
Corners: 3 - 5
Yellow Cards: 2 - 1
Red Cards: 0 - 1 Referee: Carl Harper
