Joe Gauci stands tall in penalty shootout as Adelaide United end Adelaide City’s Australia Cup run
A penalty shootout was needed to find a winner in an entertaining all-Adelaide Australia Cup round-of-16 clash.
Adelaide United goalkeeper Joe Gauci was the hero as the Reds survived an almighty scare from Adelaide City to progress to the Australia Cup quarter-finals.
On a memorable night for South Australian football at Gepps Cross, United prevailed 4-1 in a penalty shootout after scores were locked at 2-2 at the end of extra-time.
Gauci made two crucial saves in the shootout, denying City pair Jai King-Byrne and Zak Waters.
In contrast, United were faultless from the penalty spot, with returning star Ben Halloran scoring the decisive spot kick to seal the round-of-16 Cup battle, which was played in front of 3327 enthralled fans.
Gauci had also excelled in the early stages of the contest as newly crowned NPL South Australia premiers and former NSL heavyweights City started with plenty of intent.
Having weathered City’s early storm, United worked their way into the contest and took the lead in the 27th minute through English import Zach Clough.
City were unlucky not to equalise in the 34th minute when the dangerous Nicholas Bucco hit the crossbar with a header from a Daniel Bressan corner.
But City eventually grabbed a deserved equaliser in the 76th minute via a blistering left-footed strike from substitute Waters.
Louis D’Arrigo restored Adelaide United’s lead five minutes into extra-time, scoring from close range after a skilful run and final pass from substitute Bernardo Oliveira,
However, City weren’t done, and were back on equal terms 15 minutes later through substitute Matthew Dawber, who blasted a shot past Gauci after United’s defence failed to clear a corner from Charlie Devereux.
It then came down to the shootout, with United finally ending City’s resistance.
United will now host Brisbane Roar – who also needed penalties to win their round-of-16 clash against NPL Victoria club Avondale – in an all-A-League quarter-final.
The Roar also prevailed 4-1 in their shootout, which was required after Avondale twice fought back from a goal behind to ensure a 2-2 scoreline at the end of 120 minutes of football.
In Wednesday night’s other round-of-16 Cup matches, Wellington Phoenix beat Melbourne City 2-1 at Casey Fields, while Oakleigh Cannons defeated Brisbane City in an all-NPL clash that needed extra-time to determine a winner.
Apart from the Adelaide United-Roar clash, there is one other all A-League quarter-final, with Macarthur FC to host the Phoenix.
In the other two quarter-finals, Sydney FC will travel to Melbourne to meet Oakleigh, while NPL Queensland club Peninsula Power host NPL NSW outfit Sydney United 58.
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