All eyes were on former Greek international Kostas Katsouranis, but it was Socceroo midfielder Aaron Mooy who stole the show as Melbourne City advanced to their maiden FFA Cup semi-final.
Mooy bagged an impressive second-half hat-trick, and had a hand in another goal as Melbourne City overran Heidelberg United 5-0.
The result sees Melbourne City set up a semi-final meeting with Perth Glory who defeated Western Sydney Wanderers in Tuesdays other quarter-final on penalties following a 1-1 draw.
An FFA Cup season-high 11,372 spectators crammed into the Olympic Village in Melbourne’s northern suburbs hoping to see Euro 2004 winner Katsouranis inspire the former National Soccer League club to an unlikely win.
However, Melbourne City took a lead within two minutes as a smart passing movement started by Mooy ended with striker Bruno Fornaroli converting from close range.
City dominated periods of the opening half, yet it took a miraculous diving save from Tando Velaphi to deny Kaine Shepperd an equaliser, with the move started by Katsouranis featuring in a one-off guest appearance for the Bergers.
After the break, however, it was all about Mooy. The in-form midfielder doubled the lead midway through the second half with a smart low finish from outside the penalty area, and he repeated the feat a few minutes later.
Mooy tapped in a third in the latter stages to become the highest scorer in this seasons competition, before Fornaroli added salt to the wounds with a late fifth.
In Perth, the hero for the local side was newly-appointed skipper Richard Garcia who scored the winning penalty as the Glory triumphed 4-2 on spot-kicks, after Federico Piovaccari and Scott Jamieson missed for the Wanderers.
The Glory were on the back foot following some early Western Sydney Wanderers pressure, and the visitors were finally rewarded three minutes before half-time as new Spanish signing Dimas Delgado slotted home.
The Glory drew level on the hour mark as Nebojsa Marinkovic netted with a trademark long-range shot, though the goal originally seemed set to be ruled out after the assistant referee raised his flag for offside
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Congrats on Blacktown City winning the NPL Title AZ :-)
bryan
Guest
Testing.testing.1,2,3....... As my last few posts on this tab disappeared without a trace,I will try once again. Realfootball,-----I agree that they didn't seem as bad as Fuss says. Of course,I was at the game,so enjoying it may have blurred my critical faculties! :)
Matthew Skellett
Guest
Got my member's pack toodjay woohoo!!!!! :-)
Chris p
Guest
I cant see Mooy leaving now. A European club would have to pay premium to buy him out of his contract. He had offers last season which he ignored to sign with City
Matthew
Guest
Based on what I saw for both games, Melb City should have no real issue with the Glory.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Pretty sure almost nobody cares on here. But my beloved Blacktown City play Bayswater City over in Perth at Dorrien Gardens (now famous after that Piovaccari penalty haha) in the NPL Finals Championship match (if you can call it that) on Saturday night. Usually the game is webcast on Youtube. If I find a link I'll post it here.
Realfootball
Guest
See him while you can, guys - come the January window I suspect he will be off to a decent European club.
Bondy
Guest
I agree Stevo Mooy to my eye now feels like a pro footballer and his actions on the pitch say as such ...
oly09
Guest
Wow, I thought Sotirio was pretty poor on Tuesday night. Tried to beat his man every time with stepovers unsuccessfully and his passing game was very average. Only young and showed a few glipses last season, but still not convinced.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Wow, just looking at the comments not one poster included 'Aaron' or 'Mooy' or 'Aaron Mooy' in their contribution. This bloke has taken his game to another level and is showing signs of making a significant contribution to the Socceroos.
josh
Guest
I will thanks, we have some great players who need time to gel - but unless you live on another planet you'll know there's bigger fish to fry in the stands at the moment.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Fair enough. If you're happy with the quality of football WSW played last night, you should enjoy the season tremendously.
Waz
Guest
40-60 games a year is the recommended number of games for youth development apparently.
AZ_RBB
Guest
Of course. No doubt about that. When I saw some puzzling passes and tactics between Feb and April last season, I had no qualms with directing my frustration at Popovic. Some of the game plans last season were utterly ridiculous. But although we lost last night, I'm seeing a lot more coherence compared to last season.
marron
Roar Guru
I can foresee a Beauchamp like shut out happening with NTS. I understand why he's there but it's now at odds with the spaniards there and he's losing pace too. I reckon Hamill will take his spot at some point. Also yeah I've seen some nice football at times. I felt the long ball stuff was more evident as the legs started to go.
marron
Roar Guru
He's got a lot of promise. But I didn't think he showed much of it last night. Fluffed his lines a couple of times with poor touch and was very easily worried off the ball.
Realfootball
Guest
It's the coach, AZ. If Popa wants it to stop, it will. Ange did it at Brisbane.
Realfootball
Guest
Interesting... I rate the kid very highly.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Ok, done some more research & WSW & SydFC will be joining NSW NPL2 in 2016. So, all 9 AUS based ALeague clubs will have youth teams in the various State Competitions. When you add the NYL comp, the lads will be playing around 40 matches/year. PERFECT.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
I thought all ALeague teams had their youth teams now involved in NPL, or the State League below NPL? Just had a quick look and it seems: MVC, MCY, PER, NEW, CCM & BRI are in their State NPL. AUFC is in the State League (division below NPL) in Sth Australia I think NIX has a team in the local competition in NZL. Seems only SydFC & WSW aren't involved - but, I may be wrong on this.