Lions FC have booked their place in the Hahn Australia Cup semi-final with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over North Sunshine Eagles.
Despite the result, it was a valiant run from the Eagles, who managed to win two games in their first ever appearance on the national stage.
Read our review of the action below.
Lions FC 4 - 0 North Sunshine Eagles
Lions came out of the blocks hard, piling on the pressure in front of their home fans.
It didn’t take them long to find the breakthrough. Rahmat Akbari played a lovely ball to the back post, where Eremugo Debele found the header. His header across the face was met by Finn Beakhurst who tucked it away for his first goal in all competitions this season.
Mitchell Hore was responsible for goals two and three. In the 31st minute, a long ball from Zane North found Shaun Carlos, who teed it off for Hore to score a stunner from the edge of the penalty area. Eight minutes later, it was Carlos and Hore linking up again, with Hore scoring a much more conventional finish after a cutback.
A header from Cher Deng after a chipped free kick made it four before the break, and Lions were well and truly on top.
The second half was livelier from the Eagles. They came closest after a free kick from captain Corentin Chauve found Rai Dos Santos, whose cutback found Aidan Olds in front of goal. Olds could only fire over the crossbar.
Lions soon resumed their ascendency. Akbari continued to be dangerous as was the likes of Luke Broderick and Shaun Carlos. However, the score remained at four as the game came to a close.
Lions will play the winner of South Melbourne and Preston Lions for a historic place in the Hahn Australia Cup final.
