Perth second-division side Olympic Kingsway made their Australia Cup debut with aplomb last round, taking down tournament regulars Edgeworth Eagles by a wide margin. As a reward, they’ll now host Adelaide United, the historic kings of this cup looking to win it for the fourth time in ten years. Before this western Green Machine battles the southern Reds in a matchup that hopefully won’t confuse the colourblind, let’s remind ourselves how they got to this point and evaluate how either side might make it to the quarter-finals.
After an impressive run through the preliminary rounds, which doubled as a ticket to Western Australia’s State Cup final against Perth RedStar, Olympic Kingsway found themselves in their biggest cup opportunity since the turn of the 1980s, when they qualified for two NSL Cups in three years. But their Australia Cup debut would be no easy task, as they had to host Edgeworth Eagles, one of Newcastle’s toughest and most decorated lower-division sides.
The Eagles took the early lead, as Seth Clark had his cross broken up, but Flynn Goodman sent it low towards the back post anyway. But the Green Machine answered back in the 35th minute, when Joseph Hobson settled a scramble in front of the Edgeworth net by booting it in for the equaliser.
With the playing field level after halftime, Olympic were very well positioned to seize on the match’s turning point in the 57th, when Edgeworth defender Christopher Fayers picked up his second yellow of the night, turning his card red and reducing Edgeworth to just ten men.
Win a Ziggy BBQ for Grand Final day, thanks to Barbeques Galore! Enter Here.
A few minutes later, Eagles goalie Ben Conway fumbled Joseph Knowles’ incoming shot so badly that it allowed Aaron Oppedisano to run up and give away an own goal, giving Kingsway the lead as they celebrated in the rain.
Conway continued playing into Kingsway’s hands, as Olympic seized one of his clearances and ran it all the way back, with past Australia Cup hero Liam Boland putting one right where Conway could get a finger on it before Mitchell Oxborrow put it home. Soon after, Boland directed a header Knowles’ way, giving the two their official assist and goal, respectively, and guaranteeing a victory for the Greeks. It’s a historic moment for this decades-old club, who’ve become just the second NPL Western Australia side to reach the Round of 16, and one they’ll look to recreate very soon.
For the Reds’ first big test of the post-Nestory Irankunda era, they headed to Sydney to face ex-NSL side and current NPL NSW giants Blacktown City.
Things started out going Adelaide’s way, as they quickly established dominance in possession, which translated to a lead when captain Ryan Kitto made a cutback pass just inches from the touchline and Stefan Mauk booted it into the practically undefended net.
However, while Adelaide had the edge in possession, Blacktown turned their time with the ball into shooting chances more regularly, and that came back to bite United in the second half when, defending their own net, a blocked cross fell right where Tyre Burnie could get to it.
He promptly sent it sailing to Travis Major, who made the header look like a minor effort and put the Demons back on level terms.
With all shots from then on refusing to fall, things went to extra time, where an unexpected hero saved the Reds’ day. In the 95th minute, midfielder Austin Ayoubi entered the mix as part of a double-sub. Two minutes later, he sent up an arcing cross that seemed like it would bounce harmlessly out for a goal kick, only for Yaya Dukuly to come flying in from the left flank and launch a perfectly-placed rocket through the very tight window presented.
Just to prove it wasn’t a fluke, Ayoubi made another big play in the 107th, making a tackle and steal deep in Blacktown territory before running towards the box and dishing it to Luka Jovanovic, who just needed a light touch to put the stake through the Demons’ hearts.
Blacktown City kept fighting to the end, even clawing one back when Reuben Awaritefe baited the keeper out and ran past to score on an empty net. But it was too little too late, and Adelaide walked away victorious.
The Reds now march forward as South Australia’s lone survivors, and they’ll have every intention of giving the Festival State a reason to party.
Luka Jovanovic of Adelaide United celebrates a goal. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)
Suffice to say, Kingsway have a very tough task in front of them, but a blueprint for success isn’t far out of reach. By repeatedly baiting and punishing Edgeworth’s mistakes, the Green Machine were able to put the game far out of reach, and while that won’t be as easy against an A-League side, anything is possible with a little cup magic and a lot of strong execution.
Conversely, Adelaide will have not only the talent edge, but the depth advantage. Austin Ayoubi is so overlooked that, as of this writing, he doesn’t have his own Wikipedia article, but he was able to enter the picture late and provide two assists to get the Reds into this round.
If things go to extra time again, expect a similar bench hero to emerge and lead United to the quarter-final.
However it goes, this west coast clash will be worth checking out.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
Ahead of a top-of-the-table blockbuster against Auckland on Wednesday night, Adelaide United have proved they've got what every other club craves – home advantage.…
Brisbane Roar have claimed their first scalp of the A-League Men season, knocking off Sydney FC 4-3 at their Allianz Stadium home. The Roar…
Luka Jovanovic has scored in the 92nd minute to fire his side to an A-League Men 2-1 win and snap Macarthur FC's six-game undefeated run.
Western Sydney came from 2-0 down to register a thrilling 3-2 A-League Mens win.
Two goals and an assist from Brazilian Douglas Costa have helped Sydney FC snatch a dramatic 3-3 A-League Mens draw with Adelaide United at…
Adelaide now boasts five wins and two draws from seven games, with the latest result moving them into second on the ladder
