Tigers FC eased into the Hahn Australia Cup Qualifying Round 5 with an expected 5-0 win over Community League opponents Majura FC in their tie played at the South Jerrabomberra Regional Sporting Complex.
The National Premier League team were too strong for a gallant Majura team that battled throughout and, when they opened up in the second-half created a couple of opportunities that kept debutant goalkeeper Gabriel Taurasi on his toes.
Taurasi made a sharp low save to deny Reggie Kyei what would have been a consolation goal, and Stroud firm when Rory Larkin drilled a well-struck effort straight at him as the underdogs showed much spirit and fight throughout the encounter.
However, the outcome of the contest, and the place in the Federation Cup last eight was never really in doubt from the moment that Michael Southam met Nik Taneski’s corner at the near post to flash his header past Keegan Jackson, the covering Majura defenders unable to keep the ball out of the back of the net.
Moments later it was two. Tigers FC worked an overload after turning over some loose possession in midfield and Nik Popovich was on able to square a pass into the path of Archie McGregor. The strikers’ shot wasn’t the sweetest he will ever hit, but it had enough power to flash past Jackson and double the lead.
Majura tightened up defensively with Matt Middleton and Michael Djordjieski putting their bodies on the line in the way of shots all evening, but neither were able to do anything about the third Tigers goal, rifled home from the top of the penalty area by Southam, his second of the night, and third goal of the season for the Tigers following his opener in the NPL match in Griffith.
Substitute Nikos Kalfas, on his return from injury rammed hoke the fourth with nine minutes to play, and McGregor completed the scoring with a deflected fifth a couple of minutes later as Tigers finally made their weight of possession and territory count.
RESULT
AUSTRALIA CUP QUALIFYING ROUND 4
Tigers FC 5 (Southam 16’, 52’, McGregor 17’, 84’, Kalfas 81’) Majura FC 0
