Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 MD2: Spectacular bicycle kick in vain for South Hobart
Kobe Kemp scored one of the greatest goals in Hahn Australia Cup history in Hobart, but it proved in vain as South Melbourne came from behind to advance.
Elsewhere, much-favoured Heidelberg United got the job done against a resilient Weston Bears, Sydney United edged out Northern Tigers, and Cooks Hill United marked their debut at this stage of the competition with a rollicking 3-2 victory.
South Hobart 1-2 South Melbourne
Kobe Kemp scored a contender for the greatest goal in Hahn Australia Cup history, but it wasn’t enough for the team from Tasmania as they fell 2-1 to South Melbourne.
South Melbourne were favoured for this clash despite league form that they would rather forget. However, they were stunned in the 28th minute when Kobe Kemp scored a bicycle kick from a corner to give the home side the lead.
The Victorian team came roaring back before the half-time break. Andy Brennan and Nahuel Bonada both added their name to the scoresheet as South Melbourne took control of the match.
South Melbourne were a constant threat from set pieces, particularly their eye-catching long throws which have become somewhat of a trademark in recent years.
Harry Oates had a golden opportunity in the dying stages of the game to equalise for South Hobart but blazed wide, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
South Melbourne will advance to the Round of 16 in the hopes that their Cup runs in both the Docherty Cup and Hahn Australia Cup can give their fans something to cheer.
Northern Tigers 0-1 Sydney United 58
In a repeat of the Waratah Cup Final, Sydney United 58 were too strong for the Northern Tigers in the Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32.
Luke Zuvela scored the only goal of the game in first-half stoppage time from a set piece, after he also bagged the decider in the recent NSW State Cup final.
It was a game of few chances overall as second-tier Northern Tigers kept themselves in the game in the face of less possession and shots.
In the end, Australia Cup experience told, and Sydney United were able to advance to the next round.
Heidelberg United 2-0 Weston Bears
Weston didn’t make it easy for Heidelberg in the Bears’ debut Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 tie, but the more-favoured Bergers found a way, walking away 2-0 victors.
Asahi Yokokawa opened the scoring in the 26th minute after consistent pressure from Heidelberg throughout the match.
Weston stayed within touching distance, with defenders like captain Chris Hurley putting in a mountain of work to keep things close throughout the 90 minutes.
Max Bisetto made sure of things towards the end of the game, finishing a fast-moving counter-attack to double their advantage.
It was a gallant effort from Weston but Heidelberg were just too strong. The team currently on top of the NPL Victoria table got the job done and will await their Round of 16 draw with interest.
Adelaide Croatia Raiders 2-3 Cooks Hill United
Two Hahn Australia Cup Round of 32 debutants played out an incredibly entertaining fixture in Adelaide, with Northern NSW’s Cooks Hill United coming out on top.
The Raiders took the lead within minutes on the back of an own goal. A penalty scored by Joshua Benson saw Cooks Hill equalise, however, and the teams went into the break one goal apiece.
Half-time provided space to reset, with both teams having moments of looking overawed by the occasion.
It was Cooks Hill who came out the better in the second half. Two goals within three minutes – a second for Benson, and then a goal to substitute Xavier Williams, who had only just picked up an assist – saw them suddenly find themselves with a two-goal advantage.
The home side kept on pushing. Noah Blazeka got one back with five minutes of regulation time remaining, setting the game up for a blockbuster finish.
Despite conceding a late free kick within shooting range, Cooks Hill were able to hold on, and won their first game on the Hahn Australia Cup national stage.
