Macarthur FC and Oakleigh Cannons walking onto the pitch prior to the match. Photo: Ross Papadakis

As the Australia Cup quarter-finals wrapped up on Saturday, Macarthur advanced with an uninspiring victory over Oakleigh, while Melbourne Victory continued its impressive Cup form, winning their third successive game with a 4-0 scoreline.

“We need the players to be brave and want to play our football”

In what has been a tournament full of déjà vu for the Oakleigh Cannons, they once again fell short against an unconvincing Macarthur side as the Bulls progressed to their second semi-final in three years.

In front of an uninspiring crowd, it was Macarthur captain Valere Germain who gave his side an early lead as he beat Oakleigh’s offside trap in the third minute of the match, which was the games only goal.

Germain’s goal that set the tone for the remainder of the half, with Macarthur content to sit back and soak up pressure while Oakleigh struggled to create clear-cut chances.

Despite dominating possession, the Cannons were unable to break down the Bulls’ resolute defence and were ultimately punished for their profligacy in front of goal.

The second half began and the Cannons came out firing in desperation of an equaliser, however a trilogy of saves within 10 minutes of each other from Filip Kurto denied the Cannons and this became a trend for the remainder of the half as the Bulls’ goalkeeper made a series of impressive stops to keep his side in the lead and maintain their hopes of reaching the final. 

Macarthur manager Mile Sterjovski was not convinced by his side performance, saying that the game was not a great reflection of who they were as a side.

“I’m glad we won the game but not in the style that we normally like to play,” Sterjovski said.

“Credit to Oakleigh, they’re a great team and they really made things difficult for us.”

Macarthur will again be in Melbourne, but this time traveling to Lakeside Stadium as they are set to face Dockerty Cup winners South Melbourne in the semi-finals.

“We just have to go back to the way we play, go back to our principles,” Sterjovski on how they’ll overcome South Melbourne.

“We need the players to be brave and want to play our football.” 

The last time Macarthur faced a member-federation side in the Australia Cup semi-finals (Oakleigh Cannons), they went on to lift the trophy.

Can history repeat itself for Macarthur or will South Melbourne be too much for the Bulls as both sides look to book their spot in the Cup final?

Ross Papadakis

Victory continue their run of 4-0 results as they make the semi-finals with ease

Melbourne Victory continue to build their case as one of the picks of the A-League Men pre-season with nothing less than a dominant victory over Moreton City Excelsior at Perry Park on Saturday evening.

The performance was convincing in all aspects for Patrick Kisnorbo’s side, who will now play in Melbourne for the first time this Cup campaign as they will host an Original Rivalry against Adelaide United in the semi-final.

Victory’s new Greek striker Nikos Vergos continues to impress in the early stages of his Australian adventure, rising above the Moreton City defence twice in the first half to head home Victory’s first two.

The brace perhaps exemplifies the height advantage that may be Kisnorbo’s primary concern with last season’s leading goalscorer, Bruno Fornaroli.

It what appeared as a completely full strength line-up, Kasey Bos seems to have overtaken Adama Traore as the favourite option at left back.

His skillful cut-inside and shoot for Victory’s third goal is great evidence as to why you can expect him to feature in many of Victory’s attacking phases this season.

Both Daniel Arzani and NIshan Vellupilay were superb on either wing, the former with two assists including a perfectly-weighted through ball into Vellupilay himself, who wrapped things up at four.

Moreton City had moments of quality, but were no match for the gulf in class that often comes at this stage in the competition, with A-League Men clubs close to wrapping up their pre-season preparations.

They leave the 2024 Australia Cup with a taste of notoriety as their ‘Arsenal Bruised Banana’ inspired kit went around the world, and a Cupset against Perth Glory, where they came from 2-0 down to claim the scalp in front of their home crowd, something to be very proud of.

Now approaching the pointy end of the competition, Victory have only just a week before they take on the Reds in the semi-finals.

Lachlan Avil

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