Wellington Phoenix eliminates Melbourne City from Australia Cup
Wellington Phoenix is through to the Australia Cup quarter-finals after beating Melbourne City 2-0. Photo: AAP
Wellington Phoenix has dumped A-League Men rivals Melbourne City out of the Australia Cup with a hard-fought 2-1 win at Casey Fields.
The New Zealanders advanced to the quarter-finals of the competition on a cold, wet and windy Melbourne on Wednesday on the back of first-half strikes from Kosta Barbarouses (19th minute) and Ben Waine (36th minute).
Mathew Leckie pulled one back for City in the 84th minute to set up a nervous and exciting finish, but Phoenix showed enough discipline and courage under coach Ufuk Talay to secure the win.
Brisbane Roar was given a mighty fright when it was taken to penalties by lower-tier club Avondale FC at Valley Park Sports Centre.
Riku Danzaki goes BANG 💥@brisbaneroar have the lead at Valley Park Sports Centre!
🎥 @10FootballAU #MagicOfTheCup #AustraliaCup #AVNvBRI pic.twitter.com/ToY71D0GuY
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 17, 2022
Roar and Avondale were locked at 2-2 before the A-League Men’s club won the shootout 4-1.
Riku Danzaki (58th minute) and Henry Hore (96th minute) netted for Roar while Liam Boland (67th minute) and Stefan Zinni (119th minute) responded for Avondale.
Roar was forced to play with 10 men for the remaining minutes of extra time after Jack Hinget was dismissed in the 107th minute.
.@ZachClough with the finishing touch to put @AdelaideUnited ahead in the derby 🔴
🎥 @10FootballAU #ACYvADL #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/qrKx32LnA1
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 17, 2022
Fellow A-League Men’s rivals Adelaide United also endured a tough night out before beating local opposition Adelaide City by the identical scoreline.
The teams drew 2-2 before United emerged 4-1 on penalties to avoid an early exit from the competition.
.@oakcannonsfc and @BrisbaneCityFC trade a pair of quick fire goals early in the second half.
The score is currently 3-2 Oakleigh at Jack Edwards Reserve!
🎥 @10FootballAU #OAKvBCY #AustraliaCup #MagicOfTheCup pic.twitter.com/2aLElfoiG1
— Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) August 17, 2022
In the fourth match on the night, Oakleigh Cannons needed extra time before beating Brisbane City 5-3.
-AAP
