Oakleigh Cannons send Australia Cup champion Sydney FC crashing out
For the second time in three years, NPL Victoria power Oakleigh Cannons has sent Sydney FC crashing out of the Australia Cup with a stunning upset.
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The champions are out in a stunning cupset.
For the second time in three years reigning Australia Cup winner Sydney FC has fallen at the hands of NPL Victoria power Oakleigh Cannons.
The Cannons sent the Sky Blues crashing out with a commanding 3-1 win on Tuesday night at the Home of the Matildas in Melbourne.
Socceroos defender Rhyan Grant marked his first game as Sydney captain and the Sky Blues unveiled German recruit Anas Ouahim.
Ouahim made a goalscoring start to life in Australia, converting a first-half penalty.
However, it would be one of few chances for the A-League heavyweight as Oakleigh controlled large portions of the match.
Oakleigh coach Chris Taylor praised his team’s desire to attack and take on their more fancied rival.
“They’re a good side, I was very impressed with them, but I don’t think we allowed them too many opportunities,” Taylor said.
We played on our terms and when we went forward we broke quickly and had good chances, we finished well.
“It was important (to score first), a good early ball into the box and we had the numbers there.
“We showed we wanted to get forward, it wasn’t a case of just sitting in, so it was a good start.
“It was disappointing with the penalty and the retake but the boys came back from that and showed a bit of aptitude.”
It was Kingsley Sinclair who opened the scoring in the 14th minute.
Asad Kasumovic broke down the left, Stef Valentini’s cross found Joe Guest at the back post and his header across goal gave the New Zealander the simplest of finishes from close range.
However, the lead didn’t last long as Sydney FC was awarded a penalty just 12 minutes later.
Cannons goalkicker Nick Freely made an astonishing foot save but was deemed to have left his line early and couldn’t stop Ouahim on the second attempt.
Looking to replicate its 2022 upset, Oakleigh was back in front just before half-time as former Adelaide United striker Kasumovic powered a shot past World Cup shootout hero Andrew Redmayne.
Sydney came out strongly in the second half but Emlyn Wellsmore struck against the run of play to seal a famous victory.
The defender-turned-forward held off two Sydney defenders, cutting left, then right, before unleashing a blast from the edge of the area that flew past Redmayne.
The only sour note for Oakleigh an injury to Sinclair that saw him subbed out before half-time.
The Cannons have a three-day break before Saturday’s Dockerty Cup final against Hellenic rival South Melbourne.
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“A three-day break and we’re back into again, so it’s going to be very difficult,” Taylor said.
“The boys have got good character and if we show that on Saturday I’m sure we’ll do well.”
Fellow A-League club Macarthur FC survived a scare from ACT club O’Connor Knights, coming from behind to win 2-1 in Canberra.
Oakleigh’s Victorian counterpart Hume City romped to a 6-0 win over Cup fairytale story Darwin Hearts and Moreton City outclassed Campbelltown City 5-1.
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