West Canberra Wanderers edged into the Australia Cup Round 4 following a penalty shoot-out victory over Yarabi FC in an instant cup classic at Melrose Synthetic, the teams playing out a 4-4 draw with Wanderers prevailing from spot-kicks after extra-time.
The hosts had last won a competitive fixture at the same stage of the competition in 2023, a rout of Canberra Juventus, and whilst at no stage did it appear that a repeat of that was on the cards, there was at least more than a moment when those in red and black looked assured of a spot in the last sixteen.
However, the Community League outfit were stubborn, resilient, and at times, superb in their application, refusing to buckle and twice dragging themselves off the canvas from two goals adrift to earn a chance to progress from twelve yards.
Wanderers were comfortable up until Yarabi pulled a goal back with 64 minutes played, striker Bradley Cashmore having netted twice, the first from the penalty spot after Bojan Jankuloski was upended by Lachlan Terry, the second a wonderfully taken finish after Liam Cristofani had played him clear on goal with a perfectly-weighted through ball.
But, when Ben Favero lobbed Jayme Spinks from out wide with a classic ‘scross’, his attempted ball into the box from the right flank looping over Spinks and dropping in at the far post, Yarabi suddenly were transformed.
It still was apparent that Wanderers had the upper hand, both Daniel Fox and the impressive Virgil Moutaud squandering opportunities to extend the lead, and the home team paid for their profligacy in the eleventh minute of added time.
Sprightly substitute Xander Culnane blotted an otherwise impressive cameo when he was sent off for a lunging challenge on Terry, forcing the defender who had been a colossal presence at the back alongside his skipper Chris Highfield to be carried off on a stretcher.
From the resulting free-kick, deep in Yarabi territory, goalkeeper Lachlan Brown launched one last foray. His huge clearance was helped on by Harry Menzies and suddenly Sergio Oyanedel was clear on goal, the Chilean bundling his way past Spinks to slot into an open goal and send the match into the extra half-an-hour.
It was there that Wanderers regained the initiative. Moutaud, the classy Frenchman, drilled home from range before Cashmore, a genuine pest all evening, teed up Josh Dehelean who finished expertly into the corner.
That looked to be that, but Yarabi clawed their way back into again. Substitute goalkeeper, Yussuf Mohamed, deployed on the field as a sixth change in extra-time, floated in a stunning free-kick and Menzies was there, darting in front of his marker, to nod home from close range.
The momentum swung and, with two minutes to play Menzies struck again. Jack Busch sent in a howitzer of a throw-in from the right flank and Menzies flicked it on and into the net to draw the teams level at 4-4.
Incredibly, Wanderers almost won it from the kick-off. Moutaud eyed it up and direct from the restart, sent a shot at the Yarabi goal, the ground gasping in unison as it sailed over the head of Brown and clattered back off the crossbar, within inches of being arguably the greatest winning goal seen in Canberra in decades.
And so, to penalties. Spinks saved from Highfield, tough on the otherwise immaculate display from Yarabi’s leader before Brown struck the base of the post allowing Wanderers to tee up a home clash with Monaro Panthers and end a brave Yarabi resistance in a cup match that will be remembered for many a year.
AUSTRALIA CUP QUALIFYING
Round 3
Wednesday 20 March
West Canberra Wanderers 4 (Cashmore 18’ (p) 50’, Moutaud 98’, Dehelean 103’) Yarabi FC 4 (Favero 64’, Oyanedel 90+11’, Menzies 106’, 118’) – after extra time, West Canberra Wanderers won 4-2 on penalties
