Sport
14 March, 2025
Rangers lead soccer’s charge
WITH five competitions on the line, the Marlin Coast Rangers FC are looking to take home the largest number of trophies, win the premiership and continue to exercise their dominance as the best team in the Far North.
The Rangers started off their season looking unstoppable, performance after performance dominating the field. They remain undefeated in the Football Queensland Premier League (FQPL), beating the Mareeba Bulls 5-1 and the Leichhardt Lions 5-2 as well as a dominant start at the Kappa Queensland Cup, defeating Edge Hill Tigers and the Stratford Dolphins, kicking off with the fastest goal in Australian soccer history.
They’ll face Edge Hill Tigers tomorrow at their homeground in Pennell Field which they have already beaten in the Kappa Cup.
Coach and midfielder Crios O’Hare said the team’s eyes were set on the premiership.
“We started off the season well. We’ve beaten Leichhardt and Mareeba in the first two rounds, but I don’t think we’ve played particularly well in either game,” he said.
“Leichhardt and Mareeba both made it difficult for us to be able to play and we’re obviously happy to take the points from them, but I think we’ve got a lot to improve on if we want to be successful this year.
“I think the goals we’ve conceded have come from our mistakes, so we really need to limit opportunities we give to the opposition and we’ve got to look out for the ball a lot better and being a lot more patient.
“However, we’ve been able to get on top of teams physically. We’re a pretty fit team and we work hard and it shows in the matches that we played and that we’re able to get on top of teams in the second half and that’s been a big part of why we’ve won the first two rounds.
“Some individual performances have been great to help us in the attack. Josh Pin scored four in the first two games and we have good depth in our squad as well and we have the luxury to bring good players from the bench.”
Mr O’Hare said that being on top meant you were the target to beat for all teams which meant they had to step up their game.
“We need to be at our best, we’re in four or five competitions this year, so obviously we want to get as far as we can in these competitions,” he said.
“But for me as a coach, it’s always been about winning the league. If you can be top of the table after 20-25 games I think you proved yourself to be the best team.
“Others believe that the grand final is more important but for me and my team is about winning the league.”
