Photo: Steve Starek/Melbourne Knights
A win to Melbourne Knights saw all four Victorian member federation clubs make the Round of 16 of the FFA Cup for the first time, with each club learning their fate earlier tonight.
The draw began at the conclusion of Wednesday night’s results, which included the Knights’ 2-1 win over Cockburn City, with the last of the Victorian clubs to progress drawing league competitors Green Gully.
Their progression came about in monsoonal conditions at Knights Stadium, as the home side held the vast majority of the play before poor rainy conditions took over control of the surface, although Jacob Colosimo powered through to slide home from a Nick Glavan cross in the 21st minute.
As visible puddles formed on the pitch, Jason Hicks 29th minute effort nearly left opposition custodian Luke Radonich with a night to forget after he was inches from tipping the ball into his own net.
At the opposite end, Michael O’Farrell miscalculated a save of his own, leaving Milan Batur to intervene and clear any possible danger of an equalizer.
The end of stoppage time finally saw an equaliser through Spaniard David Araya, who tapped Angel Andres’ cross home from close range.
Stipo Andrijasevic squandered a promising opening in the 66th minute to retake hold of the advantage, shooting straight to Radonich, although rejoiced merely four minutes later after cutting onto his left foot and blasting a low shot which took a small deflection on its path into the net.
The final five minutes saw the travellers put everything on the line, including their goalkeeper as they pushed everything forward.
Although after multiple slips and set pieces, it wasn’t to be for the Western Australian squad as they fell defeat to the two-time Australian champions in front of a 1,864 strong crowd.
Their reward is a meeting with Arthur Papas’ Green Gully, who they’ll host after their opponent’s shock win over Central Coast Mariners in the Round of 32.
The Knights have not lost to Green Gully this season, with the pair’s two league meetings ending in a 1-1 draw, then a 2-0 win, with danger man Colosimo netting in both those fixtures.
Despite the excitement of an all NPL Victoria meeting, there’s little doubt the marquee fixture of the round is the rematch of last year’s Semi-Final, with Hume City taking on Melbourne Victory.
That meeting ended 3-0 despite Hume putting in an incredibly brave display on the night, while ironically the Victory announced a friendly with the Broadmeadows-based outfit earlier today.
Bentleigh Greens are once again on their travels as they take on Devonport City, who progressed tonight against Lambton Jaffas.
Their opponents are the first ever Tasmanian side to progress to the Round of 16 in the FFA Cup.