Macarthur FC are just one step away from lifting their first piece of silverware and earning rookie coach Dwight Yorke his maiden title after reaching the final of the Australia Cup.
The Bulls ended the magical run of Victorian outfit the Oakleigh Cannons on Wednesday evening, beating the semi-professional outfit 5-2 at Jack Edwards Reserve.
Taking the field just days after Sydney United upset Brisbane Roar to become the first team from outside Australia’s top-flight to reach the final, an early Joe Guest wonder strike had the Bulls staring down a similar fate.
But braces from Ulises Davilla and Daniel Arzani and a Jake Hollman strike lifted the A-League Men outfit to a comfortable 5-2 win.
While the Cannons’ fairytale Australia Cup run couldn’t continue, they still made history in injury time, with 14-year old goalkeeper Ymer Abili becoming the youngest ever player to appear in the tournament, in heartwarming scenes.
“It was a little bit shaky at the start with the goal going in early,” said Arzani. “But really proud of the way that the boys bounced back.”
The victory continued the undefeated run of former Manchester United legend Yorke since his arrival in Sydney’s southwest and crushed the Cup dreams of the Cannons and romantics hoping for a first-ever all-NPL final.
In what will now be a western Sydney derby final, the Bulls and former NSL powers United will meet in the decider in Sydney on October 1, with a venue to be announced by Football Australia in the next 48 hours.
Welcoming their foes to Melbourne three days on from becoming champions of Victoria, the Cannons gave the thousands in attendance a reason to believe in miracles when they took the lead through a long-range rocket from Guest.
But goals in quick succession from Davilla and Arzani just before half-time flipped the script, with the hosts dealt a further blow when Aryn Williams went down with a suspected ACL injury to deplete an already decimated defence.
Arzani’s second, a Hollman bender from outside the area, and Davilla’s second of the contest then completed the rout, with the load of the Cannons’ 13 games in 60 days becoming increasingly apparent despite Wade Dekker’s late consolation.
Returning to Australia after an ill-fated spell abroad, Arzani now has three goals in the Cup and is beginning to realise the potential that once labelled him as one of Australia’s best prospects in decades.
“I’m getting minutes, getting confidence,” he said.
“It’s been unbelievable for me working with (Yorke), he’s really got a way with us boys and he’s keeping everyone happy and he’s keeping everyone playing at their best.
“I’m really loving my football for the first time in a while. Being around my family and my friends, I’m really happy and really enjoying it.”
© AAP
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