Bentleigh Greens came from behind to end Adelaide City's run in the Westfield FFA Cup and become the only team from outside the Hyundai A-League to reach the inaugural semi-finals.
Damien Mori's Zebras, who knocked out Western Sydney Wanderers FC in the round of 32, led with two minutes to go and looked set to book a spot in the last four, only for the hosts' skipper Wayne Wallace to head his team level and send the match to extra-time.
Jamie De Abreu's well-taken finish in the first half of extra-time sealed a memorable win for the PS4 National Premier Leagues Victoria club.
Goals
0-1 (Rideout 48')
City captain Matthew Halliday started the move that led to the opener by picking out Anthony Costa, who swept the ball out wide to the overlapping Shannon Day. The left-back whipped it back across the face of goal and Alex Rideout was left with the simplest of finishes, tapping home unmarked from the centre of the penalty area.
1-1 (Wallace 88')
Christian Cavallo's corner was met perfectly by the head of Wallace, who powered the ball off the underside of the crossbar, leaving goalkeeper Ryan Veitch no chance. It was no less than the skipper deserved after a tireless performance in midfield.
2-1 (De Abreu 103')
Substitute Patrick Avice gathered a loose ball on the edge of the area and nudged it wide to De Abreu, who cut back inside and fired a low shot beyond Veitch.
Key moment
Although he would ultimately prove to be the hero, De Abreu had already nearly won it almost immediately after his team's equaliser, blasting a strike over the bar from just inside the area. Joel Allwright, a stand-out performer for the away side, then had a shot on target saved by Greens goalie Alastair Bray with the last kick of regulation time.
Highlights reel
Adelaide's Anthony Costa had the hosts worried in the 11th minute, demonstrating his strength and skill to shrug off three attempted challenges and unleash a shot on goal, only to see it fly harmlessly high and wide. It was a sign of things to come, with the powerful young centre-forward a regular threat for the away side.
Coach killer
Green boss John Anastasiadis would have had his head in his hands on 25 minutes when Liam McCormick drove toward goal and reached the by-line but tried to shoot from an impossible angle, rather than cut the ball back with two team-mates screaming for it on the edge of the six-yard box.
Fortunately for a packed house at the Kingston Heath Soccer Complex, the home side would make amends for their early profligacy and keep their Cup dream alive.
The Final Word
Bentleigh's reward is to host Hyundai A-League opposition in the semi-finals, with the club's collective fingers crossed tightly for what would be a mouth-watering derby against Melbourne Victory, if Kevin Muscat's men get past Perth Glory.
Teams:
Bentleigh Greens: Bray, Matthews, Cumming, Webster, Cavallo, Pilkington, McCormick (Avice 79'), Wallace, De Abreu, O'Dea (Teichman 73'), Gallo.
Adelaide City: Veitch, Blefari, Halliday, Mullen, Day, Allwright, Love, Tobias (Acton 106'), Rideout (Sunasky 69'), Budin (Bucco 60'), Costa.
Scorers: Rideout (48'), Wallace (88'), De Abreu (103')
Red cards: N/A
Yellow cards: De Abreu (27'), Rideout (46'), Bucco (63'), Webster (74'), Cavallo (95')
Conditions: 16°C, dry
Attendance: 1,992@Kingston Heath Soccer Complex
