Fairytales were in short supply in the FFA Cup round of 16 on Tuesday as A-League clubs Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners eased to wins over lower league opposition.
Melbourne outclassed Canberra-based Tuggeranong United with a competition-high 6-0 win in the nation’s capital.
Central Coast had a tougher time in Brisbane but were never headed in recording a hard-fought 3-1 win over Olympic FC.
There was joy, however, for giant-killers Adelaide City who kept their cup ambitions afloat with a tough 1-0 victory over Brisbane Strikers.
A lone Anthony Costa goal just before half-time separated the teams in what was the first meeting between these former National Soccer League champions since 2003.
A late red card for the Strikers’ David Salin ended the visitors’ hopes as Adelaide City moved into the quarter-finals, having famously dispensed with A-League grand finalists Western Sydney Wanderers last month.
In Canberra, Victory forwards Besart Berisha and Connor Pain stole the show with the latter setting-up a hat-trick for the club’s new No.9 who arrived from Brisbane Roar in the off-season.
Melbourne were rarely troubled in front of a ground record 5,000 strong crowd at the Vikings Club.
The margin was 3-0 after just 20 minutes with another signing, French defender Matthieu Delpierre, also on target before further strikes from Gui Finkler and Pain.
“Once we got the first goal we settled down,” said Melbourne coach Kevin Muscat.
“We got a lot out of tonight, and it was a good hit-out.”
The prolific Berisha, who scored his first hat-trick for the Victory, said his teammates were focused from the opening whistle.
“This cup is so important for our club,” he said.
“You have to take these games very seriously. The team combined well and Connor (Pain) is a great assist man.”
The Mariners appeared to be on track for a comfortable win at Olympic FC with first-half goals from Nick Fitzgerald and Mat Sim.
But a goal soon after halftime from Jacob McLean halted the Mariners’ momentum, and they needed a late sealer from Glen Trifiro to ensure bed down the result and a spot in the last eight.
The final match of the evening saw former national champions Sydney Olympic suffer elimination with a 2-1 home defeat against Bentleigh Greens.
Josh
Guest
Well we know one thing, it won't be the Wanderers she chooses lol
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The final piece of the MVFC 2014/15 squad has been secured. "Melbourne Victory is excited to announce it has secured experienced Tunisian international, Fahid Ben Khalfallah on a one-year-deal. Full story: http://www.melbournevictory.com.au/article/fahid-ben-khalfallah-makes-melbourne-move/1bt4vy61yxf8s1ecofm8xo6jnb
Ian
Guest
sounds like both are true. Tuggeranong United obviously like to be known as Tuggies. I lived in Canberra for a couple of years and Tuggeranong was referred to as Tuggers on a regular basis.
Bondy
Guest
Kasey Those or both kits on the pitch looked good also ...
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Yeah its going to be bigger than great Kasey I'm sure of that -just one aspect-imagine the scrum hullabuloo that will be the hype for next year's FFA Cup ? Then you have the Asian Cup the HAL finals and if WSW win da ACL -our imvolvement im the FIFA Club World Cup geeee its going to be HUGE !!!!
Kasey
Guest
MF its worth remembering... How on Earth could we possibly forget? Every single AU away game at Docklands sees the commentators drag out the lowlights reel to taunt AU fans:(
Kasey
Guest
If I remember correctly Ms Wilson has already switched from primarily focusing on Rugby League to dabbling in Aussie Rules at times...always annoying fans of both codes but reserving her special brand of vitriol for football. I wonder how it might look if she picked an A-League team to follow and then started saying more and more positive things about our game? I'm a cynical type so I would always have the fable of the scorpion and the tortoise in the back of my mind, just waiting for her to turn on us and sting, because it's her nature and she can't help herself. Keep your friends close and your enemies... Etc:) it's going to be a great season for football even with the disruption of the Asian Cup and the build up to the 50-over cricket WC.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Spot on, Kasey. The Tuggeranong United Twitter account refer to themselves as "Tuggies" .. it's even incorporated on their Twitter handle. https://twitter.com/tufc_tuggies
Kasey
Guest
Funny, the scarfe given to the commentators last night had Tuggies in green and white letters.
Bondy
Guest
Did you see the encounter ? ....
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
The FFA Cup is even catching the eye of Australia's most vocal SOKKAH hater: http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r621/FussIUL/Rebecca_zps7ce08fd3.jpg I reckon in the past 6-12 months we've entered Stage 4 of this memorable quatrain. First they ignore you then they laugh at you then they fight you ...then you win
Mister Football
Roar Guru
It's only six weeks ago that Tuggeranong Utd lost a home tie 0-3 to the mighty Cooma Soccer Club, so a 0-6 loss to the Victory looks pretty decent. It's worth recalling that the Victory has had at least one other 6-0 win in its 10 year history, in a grand final no less.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
The shortening of Tuggeranong sporting teams is usually "Tuggers"
Midfielder
Guest
Sometimes we don't appreciate whats in front of us... Simon Hill's call of the MV game with Andy Harper was unbelievable they actually made a very one sided game, interesting and their banter was uplifting and supportive... I hope SBS where watching the non technical call and talking up the concept, the feel, the romance etc... Especially the way they said what was happening but encouraged us all to look at what this was doing for park football and how well they had studied the CV's of all the Tuggies players and the respect they showed to the coach... So I give a big Middy thanks to the callers last night ... you did a great job...
Midfielder
Guest
AU City are the sleeper IMO ... especially if they snare the home ground advantage..
Bondy
Guest
Fussball Overall NSW is better than Victoria and we'll prove it on the pitch ....
Punter
Guest
So by this analysis SA is the best state pro-rata. Must be tough for a Victorian.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
NSW had 13 teams in the Ro32 for the FFA Cup. To have only 2 make it to the final 8 demonstrates how badly NSW teams have failed. By contrast, SA started with 2 teams in the Ro32 & could end up with 2 in the Quarter finals.
Punter
Guest
If Roar loses & Palm Beach wins that means 2 SA teams left & 2 Vic teams left.
pete4
Guest
Last season the Federation Cup win was Tuggeranong's first trophy in the past 23 years. Only afterwards Capital Football declared the Federation Cup winners would be the FFA Cup entrant so there not a club known for winning in the ACT