Michael Weier Hume City’s penalty shootout hero in FFA Cup seventh round win over Oakleigh Cannons
Hume City is back on football’s national stage after a penalty shootout win over Oakleigh Cannons in the FFA Cup with goalkeeper Michael Weier the hero. WATCH THE SHOOTOUT
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Michael Weier’s penalty shootout heroics has put Hume City on football’s national stage.
The Hume City goalkeeper made three impressive saves to knock out Oakleigh Cannons in a tense FFA Cup seventh round clash on Tuesday night.
City progresses to the round of 32, where it will be drawn against one of the best teams from each state or one of the 10 A-League clubs.
With the teams locked nil-all after 120 minutes at Broadmeadows Valley Park, the game would be decided from the spot.
Weier saved the first two Oakleigh penalties as Steve Hewitt, Daniel Dixon and Ben Bowler converted to put Hume City in the box seat.
Watch the full penalty shoot-out between @FCHumeCity and @oakcannonsfc!
— FFA Cup (@FFACup) June 12, 2019
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Marko Delic saw his penalty saved by Cannons goalkeeper John Honos but Weier sealed victory with a third stop, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch.
Hume City coach Nick Hegarty said the first two Weier saves were critical after failing to win the game in regulation.
“Michael making two early saves eased a bit of the worry,” he said.
“I trusted the quality of the lads to take their chances after Micky had done the hard work.
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“In the second half Micky made a big save from a header, at nil-nil it could have gone either way.
“From that moment on it was predominantly us and their keeper made a couple of unbelievable saves.
“The longer it went it, we looked the more likely to score and to be honest I don’t think winning on penalties was a fair result in the end.”
The result also puts Hume City into the Football Victoria Dockerty Cup, where it will face the winner of Altona Magic and Moreland Zebras.
The win was even more significant given City were missing five key players; captain Harry Monaghan, James Brown, George Howard, Mitch Cooper and Will Hendon.
Hegarty revealed the five were no certainties to face Heidelberg United in a blockbuster NPL clash on Saturday.
“Injuries and unfortunate timing to be honest but hopefully we’ll get a couple back for the weekend,” he said.
“It’s difficult at this level with small squads and people playing three games in a week, which they’re not tuned for.
“But we wouldn’t have it any other way, we’ve been playing three games a week for the last month or two, which is full on.
“We’ve got another two or three big weeks, so it’s about riding the wave of form we’re on and delivering another performance.”