Melbourne Victory visit APIA Leichhardt in the Hahn Australia Cup Quarter-Final.
The last-eight tie, on Wednesday, August 19, kick-off 7:30pm AEST, at Leichhardt Oval, pits one of only two remaining Isuzu UTE A-League sides in the competition versus the league leaders from NPL New South Wales.
APIA knocked out its rivals for the league title, Sydney United 58, in the Round of 16, coming through a penalty shootout, just as Victory did to beat their interstate rivals, Western Sydney Wanderers, when Jack Duncan saved three spot kicks.
The matchup, live on Paramount+, is the first meeting between the two clubs since they met in a 2018 Australia Cup match, and is for a place in the Semi-Final against Sydney FC, who edged SD Raiders on Tuesday night.
The Boys in Blue
Giovanni Savarese continued his winning start to life as Melbourne Victory’s A-League Men’s Head Coach, taking the scalp of Western Sydney Wanderers in the Hahn Australia Cup as he operated on the touchline for the first time in his new role, having overseen the win against Kingborough Lions United from the coaches’ box.
The Venezuelan would have been encouraged by the spirit and endeavour his players showed in New South Wales, coming out on top of a game where a lively playing surface limited the quantity of free-flowing football either side could manage.
When Victory did put it together, it resulted in the Round of 16 tie’s opener, with Harry Sawyer converting his first competitive goal for the Club during extra-time at Marconi Stadium.
The main plaudits would, however, be reserved for goalkeeper Jack Duncan, whose shootout heroics earned progression to the last eight. He saved a hat-trick of penalties to stun the Wanderers, as outfield teammates Louis D’Arrigo, Sawyer and Mikey Ghossaini found the target from 12 yards.
Quarter-Final Squad:
Louis D’ARRIGO, Jason DAVIDSON, Jack DUNCAN, Denis GENREAU, Michael GHOSSAINI, Matthew GRIMALDI, Brendan HAMILL, Joshua INSERRA, Keegan JELACIC, Franco LINO, Tom LOCKYER, Jack MIHAILIDIS, Charles NDUKA, Malik OLUKHALE, Clerismario SANTOS RODRIGUES, Harrison SAWYER, Harrison SHILLINGTON, Xavier STELLA, Jordi VALADON, Jack WARSHAWSKY, Philipp ZIEREIS.
Last time out
Melbourne Victory prevailed on penalties in their all-A-League clash with Western Sydney Wanderers earlier this month.
Harry Sawyer’s finish, reacting to a Charles Nduka shot that hit the crossbar, was equalised by Nicolas Milanovic’s impressive free kick during extra-time, when the game came to life, but the teams could still not be separated.
Fortunately, Jack Duncan stepped in during the shootout, saving three successive Western Sydney attempts, after both teams had struck successfully in their opening two efforts, to put Giovanni Savarese’s side in the Quarter-Final.
Goalkeeping heroics were also APIA Leichhardt’s recipe for success over Sydney United 58 in the Hahn Australia Cup Round of 16, as they too won 3-2 on penalties after matters ended 1-1 at the end of 120 minutes.
Franco Parisi’s team led at half-time through Seiya Kambayashi’s long-range curler, only to end the regulation 90 all-square when Koya Nakano levelled for the visitors.
After no further goals, it went down to a spot-kick lottery, with Oliver Kalac saving three penalties to get APIA past their New South Wales counterparts, sparking wild scenes amongst the home supporters at Leichhardt Oval.
