The final night of the Australia Cup Round of 16 did not disappoint, with Isuzu UTE A-League clubs Adelaide United and Brisbane Roar surviving major scares against NPL opposition.
The Reds and Roar were forced to penalties as Wellington Phoenix upstaged Melbourne City 2-1 in their all A-League Men showdown on Wednesday night.
Adelaide City 2-2 Adelaide United (4-1 on penalties)
In the Adelaide Derby, the Reds and Adelaide City played out a 2-2 draw before Carl Veart’s ALM outfit took down the NPLM SA premiers 4-1 in a shoot-out.
The main attraction of the night, pitting the two South Australian clubs against each other for the first time in their competitive history, saw the Reds hit the front at ServiceFM Stadium.
After Englishman Zac Clough fired the Reds ahead, City restored parity thanks to Zak Waters’ stunning strike with 14 minutes remaining.
In extra time, the Reds and City traded goals as Matthew Dawber – the brother of Adelaide United Women’s star Chelsie – sent the crowd into raptures with the leveller five minutes from the end after Louis D’Arrigo had put United ahead again.
Joe Gauci flexed his muscles in the shoot-out, twice denying City as returning fan favourite Ben Halloran slotted home the winner to send the three-time champions into the quarter-finals against Brisbane.
Avondale FC 2-2 Brisbane Roar (1-4 penalties)
Over in Victoria and there was almost another upset as NPLM VIC club Avondale pushed Charlie Austin’s Roar all the way at ABD Stadium on a rain-soaked evening.
After a scoreless first half, the match burst into life in the second period – Brisbane’s opener via Riku Danzaki cancelled out by Liam Boland, who sent the tie into extra time.
Henry Hore put Brisbane ahead in the 96th minute but Avondale were handed a boost when Roar veteran Jack Hingert was sent off and the hosts made the most of their numerical advantage – Stefan Zinni dramatically equalising at the death.
But the Roar were not to be denied in the penalty shoot-out thanks to Macklin Freke, who pulled off two saves to help Brisbane set up a date with Adelaide.
Melbourne City 1-2 Wellington Phoenix
In an all A-Leagues tie at Casey Fields, Wellington dumped A-League Men Premiership holders City out of the Cup.
Patrick Kisnorbo’s City was left stunned heading to the break after Kosta Barbarouses’ effort from close range, and Ben Waine’s brilliant header finish left the ‘Nix 2-0 in front.
Needing a reaction in front of their home fans, City found a reply from the head of Socceroo Mathew Leckie, although Ufuk Talay’s men held on to book their spot in the last eight for just the second time as Dwight Yorke’s Macarthur FC await.
Meanwhile, NPLM VIC’s Oakleigh Cannons needed extra time before outlasting Brisbane City 5-3 in a wild affair.
Australia Cup quarter-final draw
Oakleigh Cannons (VIC) vs Sydney FC (ALM)
Peninsula Power (QLD) vs Sydney United 58 FC (NSW)
Adelaide United (ALM) vs Brisbane Roar (ALM)
Macarthur FC (ALM) vs Wellington Phoenix (ALM)
