Queanbeyan City stunned Tigers FC to reach a maiden Hahn Australia Cup Qualifying Final and make their first appearance in a men’s Federation Cup Final for 56 years following a dramatic penalty shoot-out win after the sies ended 120 minutes deadlocked at 2-2.
Nick Middleton emerged as the hero of the spot-kick lottery, diving to his left to magnificently push away a Nathen Megic effort, setting up the chance for Nahuel Guerrero to send City through, much to the delight of their large fanbase.
Not since the heady days of 1969 have Queanbeyan City graced the Cup Final when, known as Queanbeyan Macedonia, they defeated Juventus 3-1 in extra-time to claim the silverware, and hopes of a return were ignited inside eighty seconds.
Thomas Blazevski speared a low effort at goal after Nico Abot had helped on a Marko Savkovic cross, and it was Abot, the Argentinean goal-poacher supreme, who reacted first to turn home after William Lejeune had repelled Blazevski’s drive.
Tigers responded well and equalised in spectacular fashion just before the quarter-hour. Nik Taneski took aim from just inside the area and arrowed a finish into the top corner. And they led just before half-time as Shandon Whitehead struck a left-footed free-kick that Middleton fumbled into his own net.
Middleton was to redeem himself in some style in the subsequent shoot-out, but before that City needed a leveller, and they found it seven minutes into a bright start to the second-half.
A corner from the right flank caused havoc in the Tigers penalty area and, when Whitehead failed to clear, Kristian Tokic’s presence saw the ball fall to Blazevski, and the teenager rifled a low shot past the exposed Lejeune to make it 2-2.
Extra-time could not separate the teams but after Abot, Misko Naumoski, and Noah Vanderpol all scored, Middleton denied Megic which allowed firstly Blazevski, and then the calm Nahuel Guerrero to convert their penalties and spark wild scenes from the hundreds of Queanbeyan supporters.
RESULT
Australia Cup Qualifying Semi-Final
Tuesday 20 May
Queanbeyan City 2 (Abot 2’, Blazevski 52’) Tigers FC 2 (Taneski 14’, Whitehead 45’) – after extra-time, Queanbeyan win 5-3 on pens
