It was a night of intriguing Cup theatre in Canberra as three clubs booked their spot into the last four of the Westfield FFA Cup Preliminary Rounds.
Perakovic Penalty Hero for Blue Devils
Tuesday 31st May 2016
Belconnen United 1 (Jonathan Reis 48’) Canberra FC 1 (Izach Clements 63’) – after extra-time, Belconnen United win 4-1 on penalties
Belconnen United goalkeeper Adam Perakovic emerged as the hero of the Westfield FFA Cup Qualifiers Quarter Final as he saved two spot-kicks in the penalty shoot-out to send the Blue Devils into the last four at the expense of long-term rivals Canberra FC.
On a memorable cup night at McKellar Park Perakovic denied Nikola Barisic and Ryan Keir from the spot to send Belconnen through.
It was a tough way to lose for Canberra FC who had more than played their part in what was an absorbing cup contest that had the crowd engaged from the kick-off.
The visiting team should have been up on the scoreboard within ninety seconds as Thomas James, once more FC’s main source of inspiration, broke a frail looking offside trap to square for Josip Jadric inside the box. Inexplicably, from centrally placed, Jadric somehow failed to hit the target in what was a huge let-off for Belconnen.
The Blue Devils response was swift as Jason Ugrinic weaved his way past a couple of challenges close to the by-line but saw his angled drive pushed away by Canberra FC goalkeeper Rory Larkin. Moments later, Ugrinic turned provider finding Goran Mukevski in a great position but the Blue Devils forward blazed well over in what was a rapid opening to the match.
Olympic Cruise Past Woden-Weston
Tuesday 31st May 2016
Woden-Weston FC 0 Canberra Olympic 3 (Robbie Cattanach 45’, Jeremy Habtemariam 56’, Philippe Bernabo-Madrid 78’)
By Ahmed Jbeili
Canberra Olympic is through to the Westfield FFA Cup Qualifiers Semi-Finals after defeating Woden-Weston FC 3-0 on a cold Tuesday night at Woden Park.
Thanks to goals from Robbie Cattanach, Jeremy Habtemariam and Phillipe Bernabo-Madrid, the Olympic boys sealed their passage to the next round and now go on to play heavyweights Belconnen United in the semis.
Olympic were in complete control in the first half and if it wasn’t for Woden-Weston keeper Josh Wade, there would have been more goals against the home side. Shots early in the half from Olympic attackers Bernabo-Madrid and Cattanach were cancelled out superbly by Wade.
The Wanderers just couldn’t get out of their half due to the high pressure from the away side. Possession was difficult to hold onto and counter-attacks through winger Matthew Waters was the best outlet going forward for the Wanderers.
Despite dominating the game, Olympic still couldn’t find a breakthrough. It had hit the half-hour mark with no goals and both sides started to commit to more aggressive challenges. Yellow cards were given and the Wanderers had no choice but to try and disrupt the free flowing football from Olympic. The home side had real trouble trying to deal with Olympic’s attacking trio of Cattanach, Jeremy Habtemariam and Bernabo-Madrid.
Tigers win Seven-Goal Cup Thriller
Tuesday 31st May 2016
Weston-Molonglo FC 2 (Adam Johnston 64’, Peter Spiller 80’) Tigers FC 5 (Nicolas Abot 44’, 51’, 73’, Alex Oloriegbe 85’, Jeremias Ibarra 86’)
By Ahmed Jbeili
Tigers FC moved into the final four of the Westfield FFA Cup after defeating Weston Molonglo FC 5-2 at Woden Park on Tuesday night.
A hat-trick from Nicolas Abot and goals from Alex Oloriegbe and Jeremias Ibarra sealed the win for the PS4 NPL leaders. The Tigers dispatched the third placed Capital League side and are now through to the semi-finals to play the winner of White Eagles vs Tuggeranong United who play on Wednesday night.
Weston were confident coming into the match after a huge win on Saturday against Queanbeyan City that placed them in the Capital League Top Four. The Magpies weren’t overwhelmed with the fact that they had to play an undefeated Tigers side and missing leading goal scorers Stephen Domenici and Daniel Barac through suspension definitely gave the home side a chance of causing a huge upset.
CLICK HERE for a fuill report on all three matches.
