Image: Anita Milas
Both NPL Victoria participants bowed out of the FFA Cup on Tuesday, with Bentleigh Greens’ cup run coming to an end at the hands of Melbourne Victory, while Green Gully succumbed on the road to a 10-man Canberra Olympic.
Gully were the next victims of Olympic’s penalty-taking goalkeeper and futsal World Cup participant Angelo Konstantinou, whose spot kick in the dying stages of the contest sent his side through to the semi finals.
Meanwhile, there was a sense of back to the future in Victory’s win as both Marco Rojas and James Troisi scored since their returns to the club, though it took until the second half to break the hosts’ resistance.
Victory as predicted had the run of play early, controlling possession without fashioning many clear cut chances on goal.
However, Ryan Scott did have to be on his toes to save Oliver Bozanic’s shot on goal after the midfielder found space in the box.
Kingston Heath was buzzing as a full house ensured there was hardly any room to move on the sidelines, with the supporters ensuring a special night for Victorian football regardless of the result.
Bentleigh settled and managed to create some chances of their own, Luke Pilkington the first to get a shot away which sailed over the bar.
They came much closer soon after when Ryan Paczkowski linked up with Tyson Holmes to get in a chance which was deflected away for a corner.
Troisi had a dangerous free kick not long before the break, but he skied his effort to ironic cheers from the sidelines.
Going into the break scoreless, the hosts had their tails up, with a dangerous set piece just evading Matt Thurtell.
However, in 64th minute Rojas struck, tapping in a pinpoint cross from Bozanic on the left.
It was 2-0 minutes later when a blistering counterattack saw Rojas find Jason Geria on the overlap, with the ball eventually falling to James Troisi who put the finishing touches on the passage of play.
Rojas had a chance to add to the scoreline late after a good passing move, but Scott thwarted him, before Besart Berisha struck the post with his effort in extra time.
It mattered little as the whistle blew not long after, with Victory now set for a derby showdown against Melbourne City in the semi finals.
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In Canberra, Green Gully got off to the better start against the Capital Football champions, with Matthew Reid busy early, getting a header away in the box that ultimately posed no threat.
At the other end, a long-range Tim Bobolas strike was hit on target, but Rani Dowisha was able to make the save.
Liam Boland stood over a set piece and nearly produced another moment of magic, but it wasn’t to be for the big striker.
Evan Christodoulou was another to have a chance on goal before the break, but his header from close range was denied.
In the second half tempers frayed as Adam Rogic, brother of Socceroo Tom, was red carded for a second offence on Nick Krousoratis.
Gully looked to take advantage of having the extra man on the pitch, with Krousoratis and Jay Davies both producing efforts on goal.
Sami Nour then came on later in the contest to make his Green Gully debut after signing, and Liam Boland also had a late header saved.
However, all of Gully’s hard work with no reward was undone in the last minute of stoppage time when the referee blew for a penalty.
Konstantinou stepped up to hit his strike in off the crossbar and send the hosts into delerium – Olympic will now play Sydney FC in the semi finals.
Both defeats end valiant campaigns from both NPL Victoria clubs, who will now have to turn their attention to the 2017 season.