Bentleigh Greens progress to Australia Cup round of 16

Bentleigh Greens were pushed for the almost two hours until glory as a sensational goalkeeping performance from an interstate teenager stole the show.

Magic goalkeeper Zac Bowling contesting the ball with Green striker Ajak Riak. Picture: Photo by Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

A goal in the dying stages of extra time has sent Bentleigh Greens through to the round of 16 of the Australia Cup against a travelling Broadmeadow Magic.

It was Greens’ substitute Ken Krolicki who scored the winner from short range in the 117th minute on a chilly night at Kingston Heath Soccer Complex.

Magic were inefficient defensively in clearing the ball from a cross which left the ball loose for the Japanese American midfielder to relish the opportunity, banging it into the bottom left corner to put his side in a winning position.

Bentleigh Green celebrate Ken Krolicki goal in the dying stages to put them through to the Australia Cup round of 16. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

The Greens opened the scoring account through a cut back goal from George Lambadaridis in the 31st minute before the visitors struck back a minute later as Jacob Dowse ran past defenders to score.

Krolicki, who played 40 Major League Soccer games in the United States credited the team effort against a substitute goalkeeper who proved difficult to score against.

“Unbelievable effort from the whole team, at the end I got a tap in but it was a whole team effort and I’m so happy we get to advance to the next stage,” Krolicki said.

“Super good saves from the other keeper, he came on early in the first half and did really well but we knew we had to go forward and keep trying and luckily we had two goals so we’re looking forward to the next game.”

The Greens dominated much of the play with 48 shots to seven, but it was 18-year-old substitute goalkeeper Zac Bowling who contained the Greens with 14 saves after coming on for Ben McNamara (groin) in the 22nd minute.

Speaking after the loss Bowling said he didn’t expect to come on and complimented his side’s effort.

“I just saw Benny go down and straight away I was like, ‘here we go this is my moment,’ Bowling said.

“Boys did really well, it was good that we put up a fight against a really good club.”

Bowling said the floods in New South Wales interrupted their preparations with a bit more time off field than usual.

The visitors also had their flight delayed earlier on Thursday on their way to the game.

Greens coach Nick Tolios gave kudos to the opposition and his players.

“They were fantastic, they came here with a game plan, they were unlucky to have their goalkeeper injured but how good was the young boy that came on.

“He was phenomenal, what credit to him and that’s what the cup’s about, bringing out heroes in every game and he stood up.

“Look it was nerve racking, they almost got us in the end but credit to our boys, they fought really hard, it’s been a tough month for us, a lot of games but it’s good to get the win that’s for sure.”

Tolios said he was hoping to get a “kind draw” in an attempt to send the club through to its third semi-final in the history of the competition.

“Anything can happen, it’s the magic of the cup like everyone keeps saying,” he said.

“We just got to lick our wounds tonight, recover and hopefully we get a kind draw but every game is going to be hard in this competition, they’re not the best 32 teams for no reason.

“Hopefully we can go as far as we have done in the past, semi-finals have been fantastic and get an A-league team at home.”

In other matches, Avondale dominated its game against Mindil Aces in Darwin defeating them 6-0 with Liam Boland scoring a hatrick.

Oakleigh Cannons produced a strong performance, defeating Bonnyrigg comfortably in New South Wales with Daniel Clark scoring twice and Wade Dekker hitting a nice ball into the top corner to give his side a 5-0 win.