The Australian Institute of Sport have recorded their first win of the National Youth League season with a 2-0 victory over Gold Coast United in sunny conditions at the AIS Stadium Athletics Track.
Both teams started strongly in a relatively even first half, but goals to Benjamin Warland and Jakob Williams after the break were enough for the AIS to capture all three points.
A strong line-up for the Gold Coast side saw the likes of Tahj Minniecon and Zachary Anderson start, while the AIS team contained a number of names from the Qantas Joeys U17 World Cup squad.
The game started with pace, and while neither side really threatened the opposition goalkeeper, both teams created a number of chances.
In the 11th minute Minniecon sparkled in the AIS box with his bright yellow boots, but good defending saw the attacker shoot high.
Several minutes later AIS keeper Paul Izzo came out of his box to collect a dangerous ball, and with a United player bearing down the highly rated keeper did well to avert a potential opportunity.
In the 24th minute the Queensland side were gifted a free kick from 25 metres out after a dangerous tackle, but the ball cannoned into the wall and was quickly cleared.
Gold Coast continued to threaten down both flanks, with Neko Vujevich and Chris Harold in particular pairing well on the right-hand side.
AIS No.7 Benjamin Garuccio carved out a host of chances as the clock ticked towards half-time, but Gold Coast keeper Brendan White stood firm and the sides went into the break locked at 0-0.
The hosts started the second half strongly, with a number of free kicks on the edge of the area providing ample opportunities.
Finally the pressure paid off when substitute Warland opened the scoring for the AIS five minutes in, slotting home from a tight angle.
Despite several efforts to equalise the Gold Coast struggled to break down the AIS defence, and manager Phil Stubbins would undoubtedly be pleased by Izzo’s calmness in goals.
With less than 20 minutes to play Jakob Williams doubled the AIS’s lead, rounding the defence before calmly slotting home.
Both sides continued to create chances but the AIS held on to notch up their first win of the season.
AIS 2 (Warland 50, Williams 71)
Gold Coast United 0
