Melbourne Victory beat APIA Leichhardt on Wednesday night to set up a Hahn Australia Cup Semi-Final against Sydney FC.
The Boys in Blue will return to New South Wales for a third straight tie, this time renewing the Big Blue rivalry for a place in the final, thanks to an extra-time win at Leichhardt Oval.
Substitute Harry Sawyer’s first-time finish in the 103rd minute was the difference in a tightly contested last-eight duel.
Team News
Giovanni Savarese stuck with his starting XI from the Round of 32 and Round of 16 successes over Kingborough Lions United and Western Sydney Wanderers. On the bench, Tom Lockyer and Jack Mihailidis were back in the match-day squad, as Brendan Hamill and Malik Olukhale missed out. Densi Genreau, recovering from a viral infection, was part of the travelling party.
Match Action
It was a largely uneventful opening half hour on the road, and the main point of concern from a Victory perspective was the welfare of their technical area monitor, which took a whack.
The visitors were, though, largely controlling possession as they sought a way through a stubborn opposition backline. Nevertheless, they would go close without finding a way in behind, with Louis D’Arrigo’s left-footed drive flying narrowly wide.
Leichhardt would end the half with a flurry, but Jordan Segreto’s long-range free kick failed to test Jack Duncan and Frans Deli had his penalty appeals correctly dismissed when he engineered contact with Jordi Valadon.
Half-time: APIA Leichhardt 0-0 Melbourne Victory
The hosts started the second half with a greater attacking verve. Duncan had to stand strong to a low Jack Stewart shot from the angle and, in the same passage of play, Jason Davidson got his body in front of an on-target attempt from Deli.
APIA would then have the ball in the net, but Sean Symons’ composed finish from a flighted Michael Kouta free kick delivery was called offside. Almost immediately after, at the other end, Matthew Grimaldi hooked a volley over the top.
Looking for more in the final third, Savarese introduced Sawyer as his second change, following Harry Shillington’s arrival, and nearly got quickfire joy from a two-pronged strike attack. Davidson slung a cross high to the far post, and Sawyer kept Oliver Kalac honest with a firm header.
Then deep into injury time, both Keegan Jelacic and Grimaldi had attempts that would have won it blocked by retreating opponents.
Full-time: APIA Leichhardt 0-0 Melbourne Victory
As he did in the previous round, Sawyer made his mark in the first half of extra time. Patient but purposeful build-up play brought the action in-field, and when Jordi Valadon found Jelacic, he smartly threaded it through to the no.9, whose caressed left-footer found the bottom corner.
Then, in a similar vein, Duncan would prove his worth, not stopping penalties, instead getting across to push Presley Ortiz’s skimmer away from danger to ensure Victory’s progression.
Match Details
APIA Leichhardt 0
Melbourne Victory 1 (SAWYER 93′)
APIA Leichhardt starting XI: Oliver KALAC (GK), 24. Cameron FONG, 4. Eijin KISHIMOTO, 16. Sean SYMONS (C), 21. Michael KOUTA, 22. Edward CASPERS, 7. Jack STEWART (8. Michael KONESTABO 78′), 6. Frans DELI, 19. Fabian MONGE (30. Alex DENMEAD 86′), 2. Seiya KAMBAYASHI, 17. Jordan SEGRETO (9. Presley ORTIZ 70′).
Substitutes not used: 20. Alexander PARKES (GK), 13. Cristian LOMBARDO, 25. Kyle SHAW, 99. Franco FARINELLA.
Booking: SYMONS 117′.
Melbourne Victory starting XI: 25. Jack DUNCAN (GK), 16. Joshua INSERRA, 4. Philipp ZIEREIS (15. Tom LOCKYER 116′), 3. Jason DAVIDSON (C), 18. Franco LINO (36. Harry SHILLINGTON 66′), 8. Jordi VALADON, 6. Louis D’ARRIGO, 23. Keegan JELACIC (26. Jack MIHAILIDIS 116′), 14. Matthew GRIMALDI (29. Mikey GHOSSAINI 106′), 11. SANTOS (9. Harry SAWYER 78′), 44. Charles NDUKA.
Substitutes not used: 1. Jack WARSHAWSKY (GK), 22. Xavier STELLA.
Booking: DUNCAN 105′.
