Road to the FFA Cup Final 2019: Sydney Olympic still alive as amateurs spring stunning upset in Adelaide
The boilovers have well and truly begun in the FFA Cup with South Australia the scene of a massive upset in the late stages of the Preliminary Rounds.
Meanwhile, Sydney Olympic's quest to reach the Final Rounds for the first time in 2015 continues to gather momentum.
An established force in New South Wales, they needed a full 120 minutes to prevail 2-1 against a plucky Nepean FC and continue their journey towards the Round of 32.
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Abbas Saad's side, the current focus of our Road to the FFA Cup Final 2019 series, progressed courtesy of a crucial Michael Gaitatzis double.
Gaitatzis came to Olympic's rescue with an equaliser late in the 90 minutes and then coolly rounded the goalkeeper to complete the comeback deep into extra-time.
We will continue to follow Sydney Olympic in the next round as they push to progress in this year's competition.
Check out the highlights and get the post-match thoughts of the players in the video at the top of the page.
There were wins elsewhere on Tuesday for Dulwich Hill and St George, who shocked one of the stories of last season in APIA Leichhardt.
Ten teams will still be standing after Round 6 wraps on Wednesday.
MetroStars out in major upset
Amateur outfit Elizabeth Downs are just two wins away from a fairytale Final Rounds berth after pulling off one of the biggest upsets in South Australia's history.
The rank outsiders defied all expectations as they stunned MetroStars in a penalty shootout on Tuesday night to book their place in Round 6.
Making the victory all the more remarkable is that Elizabeth Downs had to fight back from two goals down to take the lead, only to concede again in a rollicking 3-3 draw matched by a frenzied atmosphere at Argana Park.
Elsewhere, Adelaide City overcame Croydon Kings, while Adelaide Olympic proved too good for Adelaide Victory.
Adelaide Comets and Raiders SC meet on Wednesday.
Broadmeadow battle past fellow heavyweights
Broadmeadow Magic got the better of a blockbuster encounter in Northern NSW as they prevailed 2-1 in extra-time away to Lambton Jaffas.
Jarred Baker and Ryan Ensor grabbed the goals for last season's Round of 16 contestants, while Braedyn Crowley netted for Lambton before being sent off.
Round 6 will contested by eight teams and is scheduled to take place on June 8.
Four fighting for top billing in NT
Just four clubs remain in the race for the Northern Territory's lone qualifying spot.
University Azzurri will be confident of snatching it after cruising to a convincing 4-1 win against Port Darwin.
They now meet Casuarina FC on 4 June.
The other match in the penultimate stage of qualifying sees Verdi FC – 4-3 victors over Stormbirds SC – take on Darwin Olympic.
That match is scheduled for 15 June.
Must-see matches ahead in Sunshine State
Queensland has served up some high-scoring affairs in recent weeks and there is more entertainment on the way this weekend.
NPL Queensland leaders Peninsula Power head to third-placed Gold Coast Knights on Friday and Moreton Bay United are simultaneously in action away to Surfers Paradise Apollo.
The South East Queensland action also sees Olympic FC entertain Palm Beach Sharks on Monday, 27 May.
Attention will be focused further north on Saturday night; Bluebirds United meet Magpies Crusaders in Rockhampton, while Brothers Townsville welcome Leichhardt FC.
The winners of those two matches then go head to head for a place in the Round of 32.
Big names survive in the west
Perth Soccer Club and Rockingham City both romped into the final eight in Western Australia with big victories over Balga Soccer Club and Curtin University respectively.
Floreat Athena and Bayswater City also enjoyed wins over the weekend, although Stirling Lions slumped to a surprise defeat at the hands of UWA-Nedlands.
Two Round of 32 places are up for grabs and the field will be whittled down to four when Round 6 takes place on 3 June.
