The Bentleigh Greens and Heidelberg United will battle it out to become the only assured NPL team into the semi-finals of the FFA Cup. Be sure to join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
With Avondale falling to Sydney FC and the APIA Leichhardt Tigers facing an uphill battle against Adelaide United tonight, it would appear either Bentleigh or Heidelberg will be the only NPL team who make the final four.
Bentleigh and Heidelberg have long been bitter rivals in the NPL and two of the best teams in Victoria.
Both had big wins in the Round of 16 at the FFA Cup as well, with Bentleigh going past the Broadmeadow Magic 4-0 and Heidelberg dispatching the Adelaide Comets by the same scoreline.
Since then, both have played out the pointy end of the National Premier League Victoria season.
While Bentleigh finished the regular season with two straight wins over Port Melbourne and the Bulleen Lions, the second of those to the tune of a 6-2 thumping, they fell in the semi-final to Avondale FC 4-3, their defence failing them at crucial moments.
Heidelberg are once again champions of the Victorian NPL though, having made it to the semi-final of the NPL and beaten Avondale in the Victorian grand final, with the final scoreline reading 2-1.
Heidelberg have had a superb season once again, and with their strike power up front, it’s little surprise they are back at this stage of the FFA Cup for a second year.
Bentleigh had to pull off a huge upset to make it this far though, having beaten the Wellington Phoenix in the Round of 32, and they take will take plenty of confidence from the performance.
Prediction
Heidelberg should have too much talent in this one, but it’s a tough rivalry to tip at the best of times.
Heidelberg 2 – Bentleigh 1.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage from 7:30pm (AEST).
George
Guest
We were never going to win this one after playing a top side only 72 hours earlier. Got beaten by a very unfair fixture whilst Bentleigh had the huge benefit of a 12 day break.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Bentleigh Greens 1 - 0 Heidelberg United
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+5' - The referee blows for full time! It's over! Bentleigh Greens progress to the Semi-Finals of the FFA Cup! BGR 1 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+4' - Heidelberg made a late change bringing off Zahra and replacing him with Tsalikidis. Bentleigh make a late change of their own, to run down the clock. Fry replaces Thurtell. BGR 1 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+2' - The goalscorer, Alexander, has been booked with a yellow late. BGR 1 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90+1' - Four minutes of time to be added on. Can Heidelberg get one back? BGR 1 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
90' - We are approaching extra-time. BGR 1 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
88' - Can Bentleigh hold on for a Semi-Final place? BGR 1 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
87' - Alexander finds space to shoot and curls the ball into the bottom corner! Benteligh Greens score late! BGR 1 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
85' - Not long to go. Extra-time is fast approaching. BGR 0 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
83'- Meaker comes off for Kelly in a Bentleigh change. BGR 0 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
82' - Lucas smashes a volley towards goal but it's right at the keeper. BGR 0 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
79' - Wouldn't be surprised to see this one go into extra-time. Looks like something special could be needed. BGR 0 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
77' - Webster was also booked earlier for a foul. BGR 0 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
72' - FFA are reporting a crowd for 2,104. There has got to be much, much more than that. BGR 0 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
70' - The yellow-carded Cartanos comes off for Read in a Heidelberg change. BGR 0 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
65' - Cartanos fires a free kick over the bar. BGR 0 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
64' - Jankovic picks up a yellow. It's the first for Bentleigh. BGR 0 - 0 HFC
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
62' - So far the best chance of the half has come to Cahill. Both sides really should have scored. Score should be 2-1 or 2-2. BGR 0 - 0 HFC