Melbourne’s two A-League clubs avoided potential FFA Cup major upsets by recording away wins on Tuesday, albeit in vastly contrasting fashion.
Melbourne Victory were rarely threatened as they cantered to a 6-0 victory over Balmain Tigers, however Melbourne City needed an injury-time winner from Aaron Mooy to scrape to a tense 2-1 comeback win over Edgeworth Eagles in Newcastle.
Part-timers Edgeworth threatened to record a massive upset when they took the lead through a Bren Hammel penalty midway through the first half, only for Mooy to quickly draw City level with a scintillating 30-metre free-kick. The sometime Socceroo then repeated the feat late on to get the ambitious City out of trouble via a 92-minute winner.
In Sydney, A-League champions Victory scored after just 11 minutes through a familiar source as Besart Berisha slotted home after a sharp interchange of passes with Jesse Makarounas. It took until four minutes from halftime before the Victory claimed their second thanks to Connor Pain’s close-range finish.
Victory nabbed two more soon after the break through Kosta Barbarouses and Daniel Georgievski, ending any hopes of an upset from the fourth-tier side much to the disappointment of a lively 4849 crowd at Leichhardt Oval.
Balmain, who hit the post in the first half with a Joel Cook header, were overrun in the latter stages and there were further goals for the Victory’s George Howard and Fahid Ben Khalfallah.
Sydney Olympic won through to the round of 16 for the second year in succession but needed an 83rd-minute winner to see off Canberra’s Gungahlin United amid freezing conditions in the nation’s capital.
144
Roar Guru
Hope mooy uses this chance to earn himself move abroad at the end of next season, needs a little bit better of a season compared to last and he could be in a good place next year.
Bondy
Guest
Perhaps we could have our Italian friend be co host or sideline eye for FFA Cup matches . (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9wBtC4Tl5s) ...
RBBAnonymous
Guest
I think its fair to say that for NPL clubs their best chance of drawing a very good crowd is against A-league opposition. If the Wanderers play Sydney United then I would expect a sell out.
Ian
Guest
what's wrong with a crowd of 4849?
Suburban Boy
Guest
Actually Balmain's first half shot didn't hit the post, the replay showed the shot was on target and would have scored except the MV keeper managed to get his knee in the way. If it had gone in I wouldn't have been too upset even though I'm an MV fan, as Balmain worked very hard in the first half and probably deserved a break against the A League Premiers and Champions. After half time they ran out of petrol as you might have expected. I loved watching the FFA cup on Foxtel with the goal alert sounding every time there was a score at another game and the quick cut across to it.I felt like I was involved in all the games and I especially thought South Hobart were unlucky to lose. A thoroughly enjoyable night, just a bit of a pity from my viewpoint that Melb City managed to wriggle out of their predicament.
Davo
Guest
Wow that's old school. Rai haven't had Serie A rights for yonks, all on Sky now, but i get your point. I was listening on the radio SEN world of football with Finey and they were jumping from ground to ground with various commentators, and they were doing their best, but still a long way away from the intensity of reporting you find in overseas leagues. Slowly we'll get there though.
Post hoc
Guest
Aspro for the Wanderers as well. The communication for Victorys back 4 looked a bit patchy though, to be expected but they need to watch that
Post hoc
Guest
double post
Waz
Guest
Will be interesting to see if they start with Deng. It's not in Victorys DNA imo so I bet he's on the bench at best
Waz
Guest
#insight there Franko. What's your point meant to be?
AZ_RBB
Guest
Ok I'll try again tonight. Thanks. I was hoping to watch extra time in the SU58 v South Hobert properly as Fox on TV kept cutting to interviews and celebration videos.
144
Roar Guru
Loved the game transitions last night like the italian serie a on RAI italia how they switched between games, what a comeback form sydney united
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Yes. If you have a Foxtel subscription you will be able to watch online. You may need to register, but it will be free since you are a Foxtel subscriber. It seems overly complicated but you get the feeling Foxtel wants to make online viewing very difficult to force people to cling on to the set-top box delivery model. Having said that, the video feed was very good quality when hooked directly via cable to the internet.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Can somebody help out a hooligan brother here? It seems as though to watch FFA Cup online I need a News Ltd subscription? Is that right? Am I able to watch using my Foxtel subscription? Little frustrating if I'm paying this much for Fox but can't watch stuff on their website.
Franko
Guest
Looks like SU were at home, and they won. http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/article/mark-rudan-hails-ffa-cup-theatre-after-sydney-uniteds-win-over-south-hobart/1ul6zwjfh2jt71dy327e920pnv Not many there though.
Brendo
Guest
"Watch out for a bloke called Thomas Deng" Was excellent last night and with Ansell out for a extended period would now be odds on to get the starting berth beside Delpierre. Loved how positive he was constantly stepping forward through the midfield and delivering some really incisive forward passes to kickstart attacks.
Brendo
Guest
Great effort by South Hobart, away from home and took it to penalties.
striker
Guest
Franko Sydney United played at there home ground at Edensor Park last night.
nordster
Guest
...but best part of the night was being able to top up my scottie galloway spank bank....!!! :P props to coach muscat for giving him a run! missed ya scottie...ffa cup a way to reconnect in all sorts of ways..
Bondy
Guest
A great night of football the FFA Cup is well and truly legit .