Canberra Croatia cruised into the Hahn Australia Cup Qualifying Final with a sensational 6-0 rout of Tuggeranong United at Kambah 2 to set up a showdown with Queanbeyan City at McKellar Park for a place in the Round of 32.
A hat-trick from Maxx Green headlined the victory, the striker in imperious form throughout, proving to be yet another cog in the red machine that clicked into gear early and were relentless in despatching the hosts.
Croatia began the match in some style, and it didn’t take long for them to hit the front. Awarded a free-kick right on the edge of the box after Callum Cook had conceded a foul, Thomas James struck a magnificent shot around the wall with Ryan Keir shifting out of the way as the ball flashed into the corner.
Four minutes later it was two. Daniel Sparrow burst into the area and hammered a fierce effort high above the head of Cook and into the roof of the net, a goal of consummate quality and effortless power.
Before the break it was three. Green was alert as Cole Falco stretched to intercept a through ball, diverting it into the path of the former Gungahlin United hit-man who swept a first-time strike inside Cook’s near-post.
Any hopes that Tuggeranong had of getting back into the match were torn asunder with two goals within two minutes just six minutes after the resumption of play. Green had the first, collecting a pass from Daniel Colbertaldo to hammer home his second of the fixture.
Moments later the game was dead and buried as Croatia bagged a fifth if the tie. Nick Pratezina, just introduced off the bench swung a cross into the penalty area where Marko Jadric took a touch before ramming in the fifth of the contest as Tuggeranong were ripped apart.
United hadn’t played badly, they were simply outclassed by a superior team on the night, and Croatia sealed a statement victory with their final goal three minutes past the hour mark.
Fittingly, it was Green who tucked it away. Picking up a pass out on the right flank, he ghosted past a pair of would be challengers, choosing not to shoot until ready, and then sliding a composed finish under Cook who could do little but admire the quality of the goal.
RESULT
Australia Cup Qualifying Semi-Final
Wednesday 21 May
Tuggeranong United 0 Canberra Croatia 6 (James 14’, Sparrow 18’, Green 36’, 51’, 63’, M. Jadric 53’)
