Lions FC 1 (Kim 105′)
Brisbane Strikers 3 (McLean 93′; Matcham 101′; Palmer 120′)
AET
HT 0-0
FT 0-0
In the six seasons of the FFA Cup, Brisbane Strikers continue with their impressive record of having knocked out Lions FC in al three meetings between the two following this latest success where three extra time goals secured passage for the revitalised side at the expense of Lions.
Luke Borean’s extra time blunder gifted the visitors the opener after the two sides were locked scoreless after 90 minutes. His hapless ball out from the back falling straight to Jake McLean who returned the ball with interest into the back of the net from just outside the box.
Moments later a defence splitting pass from Striker’s Fraser Hills caused hesitation from Borean and Lions defender Tommy Jarrard, allowing substitute Josh Matcham to sprint onto the ball and calmly place it beyond Borean to double the lead.
Hope was renewed right at the end of the first period of extra time when Danny Kim’s powerful header from Andy Thompson’s corner reduced the deficit.
Lions pressed for a leveller in the second period, bombarding Strikers half but finding the visitor’s keeper Bon Scott in superb form, first denying Mitch Hore’s close range strike and then Joe Duckworth’s goal bound header with a full stretch save.
A free kick close to the end saw Borean up field to play the ball into the box but the visitors cleared their lines and released Ryan Palmer with the Lions goal unguarded. Palmer raced into Lions half and despite Borean’s efforts to return to his goal, the Strikers sub guided the ball home to seal the tie.
Despite the goaless scoreline in 90 minutes, both sides had their chances throughout the contest.
Jheison Macuace had a good opportunity inside 5 minutes when put through but his attempt curled wide of the post.
Soon after, Hills forced Borean into a superb save that was more characteristic of the mercurial Lions custodian.
Both sides continued to exchange chances with Nathan Shepherd firing a powerful effort from outside the box which Scott superbly tipped away.
That was followed by both sides finding the woodwork. Dongyoo Kim smashed an effort of the bar on 27 minutes before Marek Madle skimmed one off the bar at the other end a minuted later.
If the first half was edged by Strikers, the second was edged by the hosts.
Shaun Carlos going close midway through the half followed soon after with Macuace forcing another save from Scott.
Inside the last ten minutes of normal time Madle had the best opportunity of the game. Strong work from Hore saw the Lions midfielder get to the line and cut the ball back to the Madle but with space and time he fired over.
It was a much improved Strikers side from the one that lost 4-0 to Lions over a month ago. It was a classic cup tie which could have gone either way. In the end, the visitors once again proved to be Lions FFA Cup bogey team.
Lions return to league action next Tuesday for a rescheduled RD14 NPL clash against another revitalised side Redlands Utd with former fan favourite Kado Aoci set to face his old club.
Moony’s Remarks:
“The first half Strikers were better than us. They were more hungry, were more up for it and had the better chances. We spoke about it at half time and said we were lucky to still be in the game.”
“We made a few changes and spoke about the mentality of what we needed to do to get back onto the game or get on top. Second half we were excellent and created chances. We controlled the play and they sat deeper and deeper. Had we take the chances we had then the game would have been over in 90 minutes but it wasn’t and they kept themselves in the game which is credit to them.”
“Whilst we’re out I couldn’t be prouder of the effort and we fought to the very end and showed what this side is all about. We got to 2-1 and on another day we could have almost won it. We had 3 excellent chances in the second period of extra time but it didn’t fall our way. The cup is a great adventure and we all want to be a part of it but this year it’s not to be. Now we focus on the league and the finals series.”
Team Line ups:
Lions FC
Borean (gk), Jarrard, Reardon, Hore, Carlos, Macuace, Brindell-South, Shepherd, Thompson, Kim, Madle.
Subs: Riley (rgk), Sawyer, Hatfield, Jelacic, Duckworth.
Brisbane Strikers
Scott (gk), Maher, McGowan, Richardson, Hills, Pengelly, McLean, Scaroni, Kim, Omori, McDermott.
Subs: Mesaric (rgk), Halliday, Palmer, Matcham, Hawash.
Referee: Jason Crow
