The quarter-finals series of the Mirabella Cup continued its proceeding last week with two fixtures taking place on Wednesday night.
The second Pool B tie saw Hume City face Melbourne Knights, while the opening Pool A game was played between Oakleigh Cannons and Springvale White Eagles.
Pool B Match 2: Hume City 0-0 Melbourne Knights at Knights Stadium
Icy temperatures in conjunction with a downpour of rain were the conditions that confronted the competitive teams.
In what was an entertaining affair, chances were at hand however the tie ended in a scoreless draw.
It was the second time the two teams had met, in the space of four days with Melbourne Knights prevailing 4-2 over Hume City on the last day of an exhilarating finale to the VPL home and away season.
With conditions unfavourable for a fluent passing game, it was ostensibly difficult for both sides to contain possession for extended periods. Passes were often over-hit with both outfits still coming to terms with the weather that confronted them.
After 15 minutes both outfits had calls for a spot kick waved away by the referee within a minute. Knights’ Craig Sweeney was brought down, although the outcome was a resulting corner. Following the subsequent corner, Hume brought the ball down the other end instantaneously and called for a penalty of their own, however the referee had no bar of it, waving play on.
The Knights had two decent changes in quick succession, amid Sweeney connecting his header over the bar, then shooting off course from long-distance not long after.
The pressure continued, with the Knights applying numbers forward in search of the opener, however Hume defended coherently and went into half time on level terms.
The second half commenced with both teams continuing to stamp their authority on the encounter, however it was the Knights who looked the more likely to score the opener.
In-form striker Kayne Vincent was brought on for the Knights as a half time substitute and seemingly had an impact on proceeding, causing headaches for the Hume defence on several instances.
The Knights continued to press, however couldn’t find a way through on goal. Hume were resolute at the back but didn’t have many answers when venturing forward.
Conversely, Hume almost broke the deadlock in the 75th minute, courtesy of nice build up play through the midfield. Richard Cardozo placed a dazzling curling cross in the vicinity of the far-post, where Sam Dehaini’s miscued shot resulted in a goal kick.
Yusuf Yusuf almost sealed the points for the Knights in the final minutes. A scintillating effort from outside the box merely scrapped the tip of the crossbar, resulting in a goal kick.
Both outfits illustrated their attacking intent; however neither team could find the back of the net. The final score of 0-0 was a fair result in the end. A draw for the Knights against Green Gully at Knights Stadium on Wednesday night will be sufficient to guarantee its entry into the Semi-Finals.
Pool A Match 1: Oakleigh Cannons 3-1 Springvale White Eagles at Jack Edwards Reserve
Oakleigh converted their impressive form from the VPL season this season, by trouncing Springvale White Eagles 3-1 on their home turf at Jack Edwards Reserve. With Springvale already condemned to playing their football in State League One next year, the cup is a grand opportunity to further progress their football credentials and notably extend their playing season, as the home and away campaign for the VPL has concluded.
Springvale were gallant in defeat and challenged Oakleigh throughout the match on several occasions, although Oakleigh class shined through to ultimately clutch victory.
The conditions were outwardly terrible, with Melbourne’s arctic weather kicking in. The ground was damp, with rain beginning to pelt down throughout the night.
Whilst Oakleigh showcased their credentials early in the game, it was Springvale who opened the scoring. Alp Cahuzu received the ball and placed a powerful shot to the bottom right corner of the net, leaving Oakleigh’s keeper with little hope.
Following the goal, Oakleigh attempted to assert themselves on the contest, lifting a gear in intensity and forceful when venturing forward, although Springvale combated their attack with numbers behind the ball.
Oakleigh’s hostile presence eventually payed dividens in the 33rd minute. Hayden Doyle floated in a free-kick from the right wing to flawlessly meet the head of Joshua Groenewald. The subsequent header was timed to perfection, sailing into the top right corner of the goal. It was a well deserved equaliser for Oakleigh.
Both teams had few chances after the goal, as both teams went into the half time interval at 1-1.
The second half began with both outfits buoyant in their prospects to secure an early advantage towards reaching the Semi-Finals. With an attacking foray on display, the game was beginning to reminisce at typical cup encounter-high tempo football and numbers piling forward was the order of the game.
Former Melbourne Victory striker Ricky Diaco ensured Oakleigh would prosper, scoring a nicely placed header in the 68th minute. Diaco leapt highest from the resulting corner, to convincingly beat the keeper.
The resulting goal inflicted an array of self-belief throughout the Oakleigh team, keeping control of the football with slick passing and retainment of possession. Springvale seemed dumbfounded and didn’t have the answers to combat Oakleigh’s renaissance.
Oakleigh were ultimately rewarded for their dominance and put the tie to bed after 88 minutes. Springvale keeper Nebojsa Vujic attempted to intercept an Oakleigh through-ball, but was left stranded as another former Victory player, James Robinson was first to the ball and rounded the keeper. Robinson then squared the ball to team-mate Anthony Ragusa, who slotted the ball into an empty net.
Minutes later, the referee blew for full-time with Oakleigh triumphing 3-1 in a competitive affair. The pressure will be lifted off the Cannons’ shoulders, amid a testing VPL finals campaign on the horizon throughout the coming weeks.
This week’s fixture:
After facing A-League outfit-Melbourne Heart on Saturday, the Melbourne Knights will be well positioned to take on defending VPL champions and current minor premiers Green Gully. It’s an encounter that could end the Knights’ 2011 season if results don’t turn in their favour.
A draw will be enough to cement the Knights’ path to the Semi-Finals, however a loss by two goals or more will see Hume City progress, due to a superior goal difference.
Given Green Gully have already qualified for the Semi-Finals, their focus will be on their opening finals game that weekend.
It is assumed the Cavaliers will be resting the majority of their first team players, leaving a grand opportunity for the Knights to secure a victory, or a draw as the bare minimum. Unfortunately for Hume, they will require a great deal of fortune to keep their cup campaign alive.
Follow @RobertDiFabio – Courtesy of Goal Weekly
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