The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Postecoglou's old boys miss FFA Cup

26th June, 2014
2

A sad piece of footballing symmetry unfolded at Lakeside Oval on Wednesday night, one unlikely to bring a smile to Ange Postecoglou’s face.

The final place in the inaugural FFA Cup was on offer, with two National Soccer League (NSL) giants, South Melbourne and Melbourne Knights, paired in a knockout clash.

Far from being just another match, this one mattered.

No team had won more NSL titles than South, and as chairman Nick Galatas pressed home, a chance to return to elite competition was a long time coming.

“It’s a great chance to do it … it’d mean a lot for us to get back on the national stage where we belong,” he said.

But Knights, hardly nobodies with two NSL titles themselves, were intent on playing spoiler.

The side with just four league wins from 14 knocked off the league leaders.

South Melbourne, the side Postecoglou won two NSL titles with as a player before winning two more as coach, were out before the Cup had even begun.

Advertisement

As Postecoglou went home pointless from the World Cup, the side of his football upbringing had lost their chance bask in a national spotlight once more.

In the words of coach Chris Taylor, South were “bullied and outplayed” in their 2-0 loss.

Enthusiastic Knights’ fans chanted “we’re going to win the Cup” as the final whistle approached, while South’s fans started to file out.

Many clad in blue and white couldn’t hide their pain and nor could Taylor.

“It’s obviously disappointing. We thought we’d have a fairly good run at it at home,” he said.

“It was down to passion and desire tonight and Knights had more of it.”

Goals from Tomislav Uskok and Shayan Alinejad were enough, with Knights coach Andrew Marth delighted to play in a competition he thought wouldn’t happen.

Advertisement

“I’d like to play an A-League team, especially playing at home … let’s bring back some of the NSL days,” he said.

And it’s just that little bit sweeter for beating South.

“It’s a huge rivalry, the best two teams in the NSL in those days, the rivalry, the tradition continues,” Marth said.

close