Lightning strikes out Strikers match - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Lightning strikes out Strikers match

By Dave Donaghy 25/01/2004 06:22:57 AM Comments (0)

Monsoonal rain and severe lightning forced tonight's NSL clash between Brisbane and Sydney United to be abandoned with the Strikers holding a 1-0 lead.

Referee Ben Williams ordered both sides off the field in the 68th minute as the thunderstorm took hold, despite obvious objections by the Strikers players.

Soccer Australia will meet in the next few days to decide the fate of the game, however, it is likely the contest will be replayed at a later date.

Brisbane player-coach Stuart McLaren said he had never experienced such atrocious conditions.

"I've never played in conditions like that before," McLaren said.

"The ref felt that the conditions - with the rain and lightning - were too dangerous for the players to continue."

United coach Grant Lee said it would be a tough decision for Soccer Australia to make with regards to the outcome of the match.

"It's tough," Lee said.

"If I was in Stuie's position and you were told to replay the game or share the points, I'd feel a little ticked off."

Earlier, Brisbane defender Josh McCloughlan brought up his first ever goal in the NSL, heading home a curling corner kick from teammate Louis Brain in the 43rd minute to give the home side a 1-0 halftime buffer.

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