Talk about an instant impact: Jed Drew, who began Macarthur FC’s AFC Cup clash with Cebu on the bench, was called into action after a 12th-minute injury to Daniel De Silva – and he didn’t wait long to make his mark.
By half-time, he was arguably Macarthur’s most damaging contributor as the Bulls put on a six-goal 45-minute display to set up the equal-biggest winning margin in club history: an 8-2 triumph at Campbelltown Stadium.
Drew was superb for Macarthur, operating on the left and forcing his side’s second goal of the night with a dangerous cross that Cebu captain Baris Tasci diverted into his own net. And on the cusp of half-time, Drew whipped arguably the goal of the night into the back of the net.
“Lovely, lovely goal by the substitute,” said commentator Simon Hill as the ball lashed the back of the net.
“He’s threatened to do that since coming off the bench. That is a peach!”
But Drew, in truth, had stiff competition for the honours of goal of the night after Kearyn Baccus’ magnificent first-half volley, and Jake Hollman’s sweetly-struck curler to make it 8-0 in the second half.
The trio of fine finishes were complimented by a brace from star recruit Valère Germain, a penalty tucked home by Ulises Dávila, that own goal by Tasci and a calm finish by Raphael Borges Rodrigues, who is officially off the mark at Macarthur after an off-season switch from Melbourne City.
Macarthur head coach Mile Sterjovski would have been disappointed to see his side concede two late goals, scored by Cebu forward Rintaro Hama – but will ultimately be delighted with a second win in as many AFC Cup games that keeps the Bulls on top of Group F.
The 8-2 win on Thursday night wrapped up an overwhelmingly positive week in Asian competition for Isuzu UTE A-League sides: Central Coast Mariners defeated Stallion Laguna 9-1 in the AFC Cup on Wednesday night, before Melbourne City travelled to China to defeat Zhejiang FC 2-1 to go top of Group H in the AFC Champions League.
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MIDWEEK RESULTS IN THE AFC
Zhejiang Professional FC 1-2 Melbourne City
Asian Champions League
Venue: Hozhou Olympic Sports Center, Zhejiang
Central Coast Mariners 9-1 Stallion Laguna FC
AFC Cup
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Macarthur FC 8-2 Dynamic Herb Cebu FC
AFC Cup
Venue: Campbelltown Stadium
Featured image: 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC)
