Winnie Tukariri saves three penalties to help Robina City book spot in Coast League grand final

GOALKEEPER Winnie Tukariri emerged as the hero as Robina City earned a shot at Coast League One redemption after overcoming Musgrave in a preliminary final epic on Saturday.

ROBINA City have earned a shot at Coast League One redemption against Southport after overcoming Musgrave in a preliminary final epic at Robina Common on Saturday.

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Beaten 3-2 by Southport in the grand final qualifier a week earlier, champions Robina kept alive their title double hopes with 3-1 penalty shootout win against Musgrave after scores were locked at 3-3 at the end of extra time.

In a seesawing contest, the Rabbits opened the scoring after just three minutes through Mitch Calley before Musgrave hit back to take a 2-1 lead inside 15 minutes.

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The hosts’ quest to restore parity was not helped by the send off of Justin Barwick midway through the second half, but they defied the odds to draw level through Grant Wernerson minutes before full-time.

A third Mustangs goal deep into extra time then appeared to have the 2018 grand final winners on course for a second-straight decider, but an injury-time equaliser from Trent Barwick sent the game to penalties.

Robina City goalkeeper Winnie Tukariri. Picture: East End Digital

Goalkeeper Winnie Tukariri then emerged as the hero for Robina, saving three spotkicks to avenge the Rabbits’ two regular-season losses to Musgrave.

Southport now await them in the grand final at Carrara’s Croatian Sports Centre at 4pm next Saturday.

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“I’m so proud that we came back twice with 10 men. It just shows the belief the players have in themselves and each other,” Robina coach Nathan Mulhearn said.

“The players that came off the bench made a massive difference and helped add energy. It was a hot day and to play so long with 10 men and come back like that is unbelievable. This group is special.

“Winnie probably has the keys to Robina. Councillor Hermann Vorster is a big supporter of the club so he could make it happen, I’m sure. I think that is six penalty saves this year and they’ve come in the big moments.

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“We look forward to next week now. We will rest and recover and prepare to take on Southport again.

“Our games have been very close this year. Unfortunately we will be without Justin, but we get back Deni Skopljack and Thomas Beverley.”

David Saele, Joao Manoel and Marco Wagener were the goalscorers for Musgrave.