A stoppage time goal from Tuggeranong United substitute Patrick Hislop broke Yoogali SC hearts and set-up an Australia Cup Qualifying Semi-Final against Monaro Panthers on a dramatic evening at Greenway Enclosed.
Hislop, summoned from the bench for defender Davaadelger Oktyabri at the interval, latched onto a deflected cross from Jordan Rezek as the clock ticked over ninety minutes, and curled a stunning winner beyond the clutches of Michael De Paoli in the Yoogali goal to send the home fans into raptures and secure a 2-1 win
A flag from the Assistant Referee drew the Referee’s attention to a possible infringement but, after discussing the merits of what his assistant had seen, the referee awarded the goal and Tuggeranong progressed.
It was a harsh denouement for Yoogali who fought bravely and gallantly with ten men for over fifty minutes of the match following the dismissal of left-back Lucas Fabris a couple of minutes before half-time, the defender handling a goalbound header from Oktyabri on the line.
The Mongolian international was tasked with the penalty, but saw his effort strike the outside of the post, despite sending De Paoli the wrong way. Yoogali skipper Darren Bailey, forced to revert to the vacant defensive role after the sending off of Fabris, made no mistake with his own spot-kick after the beak.
Joe Preece was brought down by Rezek in the area and Bailey hammered home a delicious left-footed strike high into the top corner of the net to draw the ten men back on terms and set up the finale.
Earlier, Tuggeranong had started sharply, Yoogali perhaps still adapting to having travelled the long distance from Griffith and arriving at the ground later than anticipated, caught napping as Jack Leverett was afforded space on the left of the penalty area to smash home an unstoppable drive from an acute angle.
De Paoli made a good save from substitute Matt Williams’ header late in the game, Nic Emanuel somehow steering the rebound across the face of goal, whilst Rezek was perhaps fortunate to only see yellow for a reckless lunge at Bailey when the ball had already left the field of play in the second stanza.
In the end though, it was Hislop’s moment. The midfielder finding the room and composure when required to send United marching on.
RESULT
Wednesday 8 May
Tuggeranong United 2 (Leverett 8’, Hislop 90+1’) Yoogali SC 1 (Bailey 62’ (p))
