South Melbourne have come from behind to defeat fierce rivals Preston Lions 2-1 at Genis Steel Stadium in the Hahn Australia Cup quarter-final.
Goals to Jack Painter-Andrews and a stunner from Arran Cocks ensured that they reached the semi-final of this competition for the third time in their history.
It was a valiant campaign from Preston, who had plenty of memorable moments in their first appearance on the national stage.
Preston Lions 1 - 2 South Melbourne
Both sides traded blows in the opening exchanges. David Yoo and Bul Juach both looked particularly lively for South Melbourne, that combination creating a number of opportunities for the visitors.
Preston, by contrast, were largely limited to chances on the counterattack. This showed in the half-time stats, with South having 60% possession and 13 shots to 8.
When South had a corner only moments into the second half, it seemed like they would be the team to press their advantage. It was, however, the home side who capitalised in transition. Zach Cianci found Cian Cuba inside the penalty area. Cuba took two touches around backpedalling South defenders and fired a rocket into the back of the net to give Preston the lead.
It would only last twelve minutes. David Yoo had a shot blocked. It deflected perfectly into the path of the oncoming Jack Painter-Andrews, however, who curled it past Ryan Scott in Preston’s goal to level proceedings.
Both sides had chances to take the lead. In the 65th minute, South’s defence had to scramble to prevent Nahuel Bonada getting a shot away. Then, fifteen minutes later, it was South’s turn - Yuki Uchida’s blocked shot found Bul Juach right in front of goals, but he could not find his balance to hit the target.
It was only moments after another Noaki Sutoh could not convert a chance for Preston that South Melbourne scored the decisive goal. Arran Cocks played a wall pass with Uchida just outside the penalty area. Cocks found space and fired true, the quality of his effort reflective of the importance of the goal.
Preston threw everything at getting the equaliser again. Daniel Lazarevski came closest, firing a shot across the face of goal and coming agonisingly close.
In the end, it was South Melbourne who came away with the win against their fiercest rivals. They will face Queensland’s Lions FC in the semi-final.
