WESTFIELD FFA CUP: BLACKTOWN SINK UNPREPARED MARINERS

In the recent FFA Cup Round of 32, Keigo Moriyasu’s Edgeworth club were defeated by South Melbourne 1-nil. Tragically for the 7/1 underdogs the only goal of the match came four minutes into stoppage time.

Edgeworth had dominated the first half with a number of chances only denied by some inspired goalkeeping. But the 2nd half was a complete contrast with South Melbourne dominating and finally getting their reward as the Eagles tired in the latter stages. Unfortunately for Moriyasu he only played the last 23 minutes – a period when Edgeworth were well and truly on the back foot.

A week later Tasuku Sekiya and APIA Leichhardt were victorious in Tasmania. The Sydney club won 5-nil with Sekiya blasting home a powerful strike in the 84th minute. Overall Sekiya’s performance was very impressive from an attacking and defensive viewpoint. When Leichhardt didn’t have the ball he was constantly harassing his opponents – defending from the front.

Leichhardt look a real threat in the FFA Cup though they’ve been drawn with another strong PS4 NPLNSW team for the Round of 16. Blacktown City shocked the A-League’s Central Coast Mariners in their Round of 32 match with 23 year old Japanese import Yuta Konagaya playing the full 90 minutes. Weakened by injury Blacktown still got away to a strong start owning a 2-nil lead by the 17th minute.

But the A-League side looked set to advance when they levelled the scores in the second half. Appiah-Kubi struck twice for the yellow team before the second tier club defied the odds via former Sydney FC forward Joey Gibbs. Gibbs grabbed his second of the match and Blacktown held on for the final 8 minutes to mark a famous victory.

On the same night but further north in Queensland, Takumi Sunada was forced to watch on as his team Broadmeadow Magic crashed out of the FFA Cup in extra time. Sunada’s teammates were forced to do it tough in extra time after being reduced to ten when Dino Fajkovic was red-carded. As a result Moreton Bay finished 4-2 victors with goals in the 107th and 109th minutes.

Finally, we got to the Sydney United and Far North Queensland clash which pitted Yutaro Shin and Shigeki Ono against one another. Shin’s performance was just as impressive as Tasuku Sekiya’s match for Leichhardt. The Sydney-sider picked up two goals – one a superb header from close range, the other when he capitalised on a failed clearance. Sadly for Ono he didn’t get any game time in the fixture. After a 7-2 defeat though the youngster is probably glad his name isn’t associated with such a resounding defeat.

Anyhow, the draw for the Round of 16 has been completed and first off on Wednesday 23rd August Yutaro Shin and Sydney United will host Heidelberg United of Victoria. Six days later on Tuesday, 29th Blacktown City will face off against fellow Sydney-siders Leichhardt. The clash sees both Tasuku Sekiya and Yuta Konagaya face off for their respective teams who finished 1st and 2nd respectively in the 2017 league competition.

23/08/2017 06:30pm AEST Sydney United v Heidelberg United

29/08/2017 06:30pm AEST Blacktown City v APIA Leichhardt