Bozhidar Kraev scores double as Western Sydney Wanderers progress to Australia Cup round of 16 with win over Peninsula Power

Western Sydney Wanderers have kicked off their Australia Cup campaign in style against NPL Queensland opposition.

Bulgarian international Bozhidar Kraev scored twice as Western Sydney Wanderers cruised into the Australia Cup round of 16 with a 3-0 win over NPL Queensland club Peninsula Power on Tuesday night.

New Wanderers signing, veteran New Zealand international attacker Kosta Barbarouses, also found the back of the net at AJ Kelly Park as Peninsula’s attempt to disrupt the visitors by narrowing the pitch proved to be fruitless.

Kraev scored twice in the opening 23 minutes, with Barbarouses’ goal nine minutes later putting the game to bed.

Kosta Barbarouses (left) celebrates with his Western Sydney teammate Alex Gersbach after scoring against Peninsula Power. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

It could have been worse for the Power, but goalkeeper Jordan Thurtell saved a 59th-minute penalty to deny Kraev a hat-trick.

“It was how we planned it, how we expected it and how we wished things to go,” Kraev told Paramount Plus in reflecting on his side’s overall performance.

The Wanderers starting side also included another of the club’s off-season acquisitions in former Central Coast Mariners striker Alou Kuol, while ex-Melbourne City midfielder Steven Ugarkovic, who also recently signed with Western Sydney, was a second-half substitute.

Joining the Wanderers in the round of 16 with wins on Tuesday night were Victorian clubs Avondale and Nunawading City.

Avondale thrashed West Australian outfit Stirling Macedonia 5-1, while fourth-tier club Nunawading set a record Australia Cup scoreline with a 9-0 thumping of Darwin Olympic.